Can I cover a fire sprinkler head?

Can I cover a fire sprinkler head?

Concealed fire sprinkler heads above ceilings with cover plates not only allow for a flush finished look, but more importantly they protect the sprinkler head from accidental contact and possible activation.

How do you protect fire sprinkler heads?

A head guard, or sprinkler cage, uses steel wire or another material to put a protective barrier around the sprinkler head. Each fire sprinkler cage clamps around the base of the sprinkler frame, providing an inch or more of protective metal wiring around the sprinkler.

What are fire sprinkler covers called?

Escutcheons, also known as trim plates, sleeves, design rings or extenders, are a very important and necessary part of any fire sprinkler system. Sprinkler heads in ceilings or walls must have proper fitting escutcheons according to NFPA 13, 25 and 101 code.

How do fire sprinkler cover plates work?

Typically, the cover plate is soldered to the retainer piece at three points. When exposed to a fire, the heat will melt the solder and the cover plate drops out. Once the cover plate is gone the pendant sprinkler is exposed, which allows the sprinkler to be heat actuated and water flow to occur.

What is a sprinkler cover plate?

A cover plate simply screws into the concealed fire sprinkler to provide aesthetic benefits and protect the sprinkler from dirt, dust, and debris, similar to escutcheons (learn the difference between an escutcheon and a cover plate).

How do you install a sprinkler head guard?

Place the base plate around the top thread of the sprinkler head closest to the frame. Close the base plate around the thread. At the same time, hold the cage to the base plate until the base plate engages the cage with its four tangs. Adjust the set screw until base plate is firmly attached to the sprinkler.

What is a fire sprinkler skirt?

A fire sprinkler escutcheon is a metallic trim plate used to cover the annular space around a sprinkler head. It is also known as ring, rosette, canopy, cup or skirt in the field.

What is an escutcheon cap?

An escutcheon (pronounced ‘ess-kutch-on’) is the (typically) metal bit that hides the ugly hole in the wall that the pipes come through. Some people call them flanges or cover plates.

Can I remove fire sprinkler cover plate?

If you’re replacing cover plates that are attached now or if you need to replace just one of many, try unscrewing the sprinkler cover (lefty-loosie). If they spin freely but are not backing out, then they are “push-on,” so try a gentle but firm pull to remove.

Are escutcheons necessary?

Escutcheons are the circular plates which go around the base of a fire sprinkler head. Yes, they are absolutely required by NFPA codes.

How do you replace a fire sprinkler cap?

If your current escutcheon includes an outer ring or skirt, remove them by slowly pulling them down over the sprinkler head. Cut the cup (adjustable) or inner-ring (recessed) using kitchen shears or pruners, and remove it from the sprinkler head. For flat escutcheons, simply cut the plate and remove.

Do sprinkler heads need cages?

If its end mounts flush against the wall or ceiling—the sprinkler head body is completely exposed—standard head guards should suffice. If the cup or plate it sits in is recessed (sits slightly behind the wall or ceiling), the cage should be recessed.

What do you put around sprinkler heads?

You’ll need a sprinkler donut with at least 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) of extra space on each side. Purchase sprinkler donuts for each sprinkler in your lawn. Sprinkler donuts wrap around your sprinkler heads when they are inactive as an added layer of protection. They are made of various materials, like plastic or concrete.

What is an escutcheon plate?

An escutcheon is a type of plumbing supply typically made of metal that hides the unsightly hole in the wall that pipes usually come through. People can also refer to them as flanges or cover plates.

What is the difference between a flange and an escutcheon?

How do you install a sprinkler head cover?

Remove the protective cap (this can be accomplished with the sprinkler wrench mounted to the CPVC pole) Place the cover plate on the installation tool. Lift the cover plate to the sprinkler head and push the cap firmly in place.

Is it safe to cap a sprinkler head?

Capping the pipe at the upstream sprinkler prevents a “dead end” of pipe that would fill with water but not have any outlet. During winterization, the water could get trapped in the “dead end” and potentially freeze, breaking the pipe. Dig up the pipe and fitting prior to the upstream head.