#369 – Replacement Fire Sprinkler Escutcheons: Finding the Right Model

Get the correct fire sprinkler escutcheon ring to fill in the gap

Fire sprinkler escutcheons fill the gaps between sprinklers and the ceilings or walls they protrude from. And their purpose isn’t just cosmetic.

Fire sprinklers activate based on the ambient temperature. If hot air can rise through the gap, heat won’t accumulate as quickly around the heat-sensitive element—and the sprinkler might not activate on time. By filling the holes, escutcheons ensure that sprinklers work as intended.

Fire sprinklers need the right escutcheon—any old model won’t do. Organizations like UL and FM Global “list”—safety test and approve—particular sprinkler-and-escutcheon combinations. NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (2019 edition) also specifies that a “sprinkler assembly” should be listed:

7.2.6 Escutcheons and Cover Plates.

7.2.6.1 Plates, escutcheons, or other devices used to cover the annular space around a sprinkler shall be metallic or shall be listed for use around a sprinkler.

7.2.6.2* Escutcheons used with recessed, flush-type, or concealed sprinklers shall be part of a listed sprinkler assembly.

A.7.6.2 The use of the wrong type of escutcheon with recessed or flush type sprinklers can result in severe disruption of the spray pattern, which can destroy the effectiveness of the sprinkler.

A “sprinkler assembly” includes the sprinkler and any cover plate or escutcheon installed with it. Only sprinklers, escutcheons, and cover plates made by the same manufacturer can be listed for use with one another. Thus, it’s important to use listed sprinkler assemblies and follow manufacturer installation instructions.

Whether you’re replacing an old escutcheon or installing a new sprinkler system, it’s vital to get the right model.

But with potentially hundreds of different models on the market, finding the correct fit can seem complicated. In this article, we explain how to do it, using only the information provided on a sprinkler head.

How to match an escutcheon to a fire sprinkler

Fortunately, there isn’t only one escutcheon for every sprinkler. Sprinkler manufacturers produce a handful of escutcheon types, and one kind of escutcheon often works (and is listed) for many different sprinklers. It’s simple to determine which one you need for your particular sprinkler. Follow these general steps:

• Match the sprinkler model to an escutcheon model
• Pick the escutcheon model that meets the installation needs
• Pick the escutcheon that matches the sprinkler thread size

Matching the sprinkler model to an escutcheon model

The first step in finding the right escutcheon is knowing what sprinkler you have. That means knowing who manufactured it and its exact model. Start with the “SIN.”

Manufacturers assign a sprinkler identification number (SIN) to every sprinkler with a particular size, shape, and fabrication—though, when the response temperature or finish changes, the SIN stays the same. The SIN is stamped right on the sprinkler deflector, alongside other information.

Sprinkler SINs begin with an alphabetic prefix of 1 or 2 letters, indicating the manufacturer. For example, “VK” is for Viking, “V” is for Victaulic, and “TY” is for Tyco. You may encounter sprinkler without a SIN; these are typically produced by
manufacturers that aren’t in business anymore. If you have older sprinklers, read these tips for identifying them. Otherwise, counterfeit sprinklers may lack a SIN, or the SIN may be incorrect.

Knowing the SIN can help you find an approved escutcheon if you have access to the sprinkler’s technical data sheet (TDS). You can also find the right escutcheon without the TDS, however. Manufacturers often divide their sprinkler catalog into models with similar features, and certain sprinkler models are compatible with specific escutcheon models. Match your sprinkler to the same escutcheon model.

Find the escutcheon model that meets the installation needs

Narrowing escutcheons down to a model still leaves options. Within one model, there might be several sub-categories. For example, Viking’s NP model is divided into NP-1, NP-2, and NP-3 escutcheons.

To thin out the list of possibilities, figure out which installation requirements the escutcheon needs to meet. These can include:

• Range of adjustment
• Installation method (thread-on vs. slip-on)
• Outer-cup diameter
• Construction and finish (important for corrosion resistance)

It may be necessary to consult the technical data sheet to determine which model fits your particular needs. For example, Viking’s XT1 sprinklers generally work with any NP escutcheon. But the sprinkler’s TDS specifies that XT1
sprinklers with Viking’s ENT finish can only use NP-1 escutcheons or standard flat escutcheons.

Note that manufacturers may have “standard” flat escutcheons that are approved for most or all of their sprinklers, as long as they fit. In this article, we’ll confine ourselves to recessed or adjustable escutcheons that have specific approvals.

It’s also easy to pick the right category of sprinkler for the application when you know what features your escutcheon needs.

Find an escutcheon with the right NPT size

The final step in picking an escutcheon is getting the size right. Escutcheon holes are sized to fit around the threads of the sprinkler head, and they are sold based on national pipe thread (NPT) measurements. A 1/2” escutcheon doesn’t have a 1/2″ hole. Instead, it works with a 1/2” NPT sprinkler head.

Now, we’ll specifically explain how to get the right escutcheon for sprinklers made by three major manufacturers: Viking, Victaulic, and Tyco.

Finding the right Viking replacement fire sprinkler escutcheons

Viking has three main models of sprinklers that need escutcheons and only a handful of escutcheon models—so, finding the right Viking escutcheon is straightforward.

Viking’s core sprinkler models are Model M, Freedom, and XT1. You can determine which model you have by looking at the SIN number or by checking the features of the sprinkler. The features of each are summarized here:

Finding the right Tyco escutcheon

Tyco has an extensive catalog of fire sprinklers, but getting the right escutcheon for your sprinkler is still pretty simple.

Start with the sprinkler model. You can determine which model you have by looking up the SIN in Tyco’s catalog. Alternatively, you can simply look at the sprinkler’s characteristics. The names summarize their features: “B” indicates a bulb sprinkler, “L” indicates a link sprinkler, and “FR” indicates a quick response sprinkler. If you have a quick-response fusible link Tyco sprinkler, its model is “TY-FRL.”

The Tyco sprinkler models and the escutcheons they use are summarized here:

Tyco groups its escutcheons into Style 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 70 (with these last two serving only niche purposes). Each sprinkler model can use more than one escutcheon model. This can seem confusing, but each escutcheon model only works with one sprinkler size. For instance, Style 20 only fits 1/2″ NPT sprinklers. Narrow down the selection based on the NPT size and the range of adjustment needed, where applicable.