Skylight-protected sprinklers must be what temperature rating?

Skylight-protected sprinklers must be what temperature rating?

• A. Intermediate rated
• B. Ordinary rated
• C. High temperature rated
• D. Low temperature rated

Answer: (A)

Skylight-protected sprinklers are placed in ceilings that can be heated by sunlight, so the ambient temperature around the sprinkler can rise even without a fire. To avoid nuisance actuation from solar heat while still providing reliable fire protection, the standard sets a higher operating temperature for these sprinklers. The minimum rating specified for skylight-protected sprinklers is intermediate, which is higher than ordinary but not as high as high. This rating provides a balance: it reduces false activations from daylight heat on skylights, yet it still responds appropriately in a real fire. Choosing a low temperature rating would make the sprinkler more prone to turning on due to sun exposure. Ordinary rating is lower than the required minimum. A high temperature rating would also work, but it isn’t the minimum required by the code.

Skylight-protected sprinklers are placed in ceilings that can be heated by sunlight, so the ambient temperature around the sprinkler can rise even without a fire. To avoid nuisance actuation from solar heat while still providing reliable fire protection, the standard sets a higher operating temperature for these sprinklers. The minimum rating specified for skylight-protected sprinklers is intermediate, which is higher than ordinary but not as high as high. This rating provides a balance: it reduces false activations from daylight heat on skylights, yet it still responds appropriately in a real fire.

Choosing a low temperature rating would make the sprinkler more prone to turning on due to sun exposure. Ordinary rating is lower than the required minimum. A high temperature rating would also work, but it isn’t the minimum required by the code.