Institutional fire sprinklers are designed to help prevent tampering, injury, and self-harm
Institutional fire sprinklers are used in settings where the likelihood of tampering is high, including mental health and correctional facilities. Working sprinklers have extra importance if a fire breaks out in these structures because a quick evacuation by occupants is much more difficult. And tampering with sprinklers may take the system offline, cause water damage and repair costs, or even be done to create weapons or used as a mechanism for self-harm.
Those last two possibilities are a significant concern, as inmates or patients could use the parts from a traditional sprinkler to fashion a weapon or attempt to hang themselves. Institutional sprinklers mitigate these risks by concealing the sprinkler orifice and deflector in a flush design behind a plate, held firm by some combination of tamper-resistant screws, locking escutcheons, and retaining flanges. In addition, the “heat responsive elements are […] designed to breakaway and fully release when a predetermined dynamic load is reached on the device” to address the possibility of hanging. This characteristic is called the “breakaway load.”
The major sprinkler manufacturers Viking, Tyco, and Reliable make institutional sprinklers. This article examines the features of each company’s sprinkler heads.
To order Tyco, Viking, and Reliable institutional fire sprinklers, contact our customer service team by email or call us at 888-361-6662. Don’t forget to grab an Institutional Shutgun tool to stop water fast in case of unintended sprinkler activation.
The core features of institutional sprinklers
No matter the manufacturer, institutional fire sprinklers are defined by three main features: concealment of the deflector and heat-sensing element, a snug, flush fit with the ceiling or wall, and more difficult accessibility of the sprinkler parts without tools.
Concealed deflector and element
Institutional and concealed fire sprinklers are somewhat similar in that both hide the deflector and heat-sensing element. When a soldered link melts in response to heat, a covering drops away and exposes the sprinkler.
A big difference is that institutional sprinklers don’t use regular cover plates, which can easily be removed by hand. Instead, institutional sprinklers conceal the sprinkler’s heat-sensing element, water orifice, and deflector inside the sprinkler body behind a locking escutcheon, or “link assembly.” Upon sprinkler activation, the deflector extends to direct the spray of water.
Hiding the sprinkler helps prevent vandalism, but it’s also important to note that this snug, secure design will frustrate standard sprinkler shut-off tools. Thus, where institutional fire sprinklers are installed, staff should keep institutional Shutgun tools on hand.
Flush, tight fit with the ceiling
Institutional fire sprinklers aim to be tight and almost entirely flush with the ceiling or wall to stop vandalism or self-harm. This snug fit makes it very difficult to get a grip on anything or pull with enough force to pry the assembly apart, and it’s partially achieved through the use of optional retaining flanges.
Retaining flanges fit around the sprinkler pipe on the inside of the mounting surface. The wall or ceiling is sandwiched between the flange and the escutcheon, preventing the sprinkler’s axial movement. In layman’s terms, flanges stop a pendent sprinkler from moving up or down and a sidewall sprinkler from moving side-to-side.
The Tyco Raven line of institutional fire sprinklers
Tyco (now merged with Johnson Controls) produces the Raven institutional fire sprinkler. Raven sprinklers and other manufacturers’ models only use quick-response elements, which means that the sprinklers go off faster at the same temperature compared to standard response sprinklers, prioritizing life safety by starting fire control earlier.
Tyco has four institutional sprinklers in pendent and sidewall formats, each orientation with standard coverage (SC) or extended coverage (EC). Tyco’s standard coverage (SC) TY3281 and TY3381 Raven models are cULus-listed for light or ordinary hazard occupancies, whereas the extended coverage (EC) TY3282 and TY3382 are listed for light hazard only.
These sprinklers are available with chrome or white finishes. Their escutcheons can be 3” or 4” in diameter, carbon steel or stainless steel, and come in white, grey, chrome-coated (carbon steel only), or electropolished (stainless steel only) finishes. All Raven sprinklers have a 165F (74C) temperature rating.
Some key specs of Tyco Raven sprinklers are summarized below:
| SIN | Orientation | K-Factor | Response Type | Activation Temp | Thread | Coverage | cULus Listing | Escutcheon Sizes | Wrench |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TY3281 | Pendent | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Standard (SC) | Light and Ordinary Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | W-Type 25 |
| TY3282 | Pendent | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Extended (EC) | Light Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | W-Type 25 |
| TY3381 | Horizontal sidewall | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Standard (SC) | Light and Ordinary Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | W-Type 25 |
| TY3382 | Horizontal sidewall | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Extended (EC) | Light Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | W-Type 25 |
Viking VK426, VK427, VK650, and VK651 institutional sprinklers
Viking’s institutional fire sprinklers have similar features and options to Tyco and Reliable offerings but come in an additional temperature rating — 205F (96C) and 165F (74C). All these sprinklers feature quick-response heads. The VK426 pendent and VK427 sidewall sprinklers are standard coverage models that are cULus-listed for light and ordinary hazard occupancies. In contrast, the VK650 pendent and VK651 are extended coverage models only listed for light hazard occupancies.
Viking’s institutional sprinklers and escutcheons come in chrome, white, or gray finishes, and there are two choices of escutcheon size: a 3” or 4” diameter.
This table summarizes some key specs for Viking institutional sprinkler heads:
| SIN | Orientation | K-Factor | Response Type | Activation Temp | Thread | Coverage | cULus Listing | Escutcheon Sizes | Wrench |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VK426 | Pendent | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C), 205F (38C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Standard (SC) | Light and Ordinary Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | Socket: 22847MB |
| VK650 | Pendent | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C), 205F (38C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Extended (EC) | Light Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | Socket: 22847MB |
| VK427 | Horizontal sidewall | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C), 205F (38C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Standard (SC) | Light and Ordinary Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | Socket: 22847MB |
| VK651 | Horizontal sidewall | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C), 205F (38C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Extended (EC) | Light Hazard | 3 in., 4 in. | Socket: 22847MB |
Reliable XL institutional sprinklers
The Reliable XL Series line of institutional-style fire sprinklers also includes pendent and sidewall sprinklers with standard or extended coverage deflectors. Like Viking and Tyco, Reliable’s institutional sprinklers are exclusively quick-response, the standard coverage models (R1314 and R1314) are cULus-listed for light or ordinary hazard occupancies, and the extended coverage models (R1344 and R1364) are listed for light hazard occupancies only.
The sprinklers are available in bright chrome and at a 165F temperature rating. Escutcheons are all 3.5″ and can be purchased standard with a glossy satin or white paint finish — but other options are available from the company on special order.
This table summarizes some key specs of Reliable XL institutional fire sprinklers:
| SIN | Orientation | K-Factor | Response Type | Activation Temp | Thread | Coverage | cULus Listing | Escutcheon Sizes | Wrench |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1314 | Pendent | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Standard (SC) | Light and Ordinary Hazard | 3.5 in. | ZX-Horizontal |
| R1344 | Pendent | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Extended (EC) | Light Hazard | 3.5 in. | ZX-Horizontal |
| R1334 | Horizontal sidewall | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Standard (SC) | Light and Ordinary Hazard | 3.5 in. | ZX-Horizontal |
| R1364 | Horizontal sidewall | 5.6K | Quick (QR) | 165F (74C) | 1/2 in. NPT | Extended (EC) | Light Hazard | 3.5 in. | ZX-Horizontal |
Tyco, Viking, and Reliable institutional fire sprinklers provide secure protection
Institutional fire sprinklers meet a vital need, mitigating the risk of tampering, improper activation, or injury in settings prone to these risks, such as mental health institutions and correctional facilities. And the limited mobility and difficulties of evacuating people in such buildings make working sprinklers even more crucial to fire safety.
Tyco, Viking, and Reliable all manufacture high-quality institutional sprinkler heads that are excellent for use in tamper-prone settings. Their offerings have many similarities: in addition to the same listings, coverage options, and K-Factors, for example, all are rated to a maximum working pressure of 175 psi (12.0 bar) and use similar — though not identical — materials that include brass, copper, nickel, stainless steel, and PTFE.
The major difference in performance characteristics between manufacturers is that Viking offers a higher temperature option of 205F. Otherwise, the choice between these sprinklers mainly comes down to manufacturer preferences, desired escutcheon sizes, available finishes, and other aesthetics.
For quotes on institutional fire sprinklers or to place an order, contact the QRFS Customer Service team by email or call us at 888-361-6662.
And if you buy or have institutional sprinklers, it’s wise to keep an Institutional Shutgun on hand to ensure fast water stoppage if the sprinklers activate unintentionally.
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