If you have a fire sprinkler cover plate to replace and you’re wondering which one you need, you’ve landed on the right page. Whether your existing sprinkler cover is missing, damaged, or painted over, in this blog you’ll learn the simple steps required to find the correct cover plate (hint: the manufacturer is key, and it has a little to do with dimensions) and replace it with ease.
Know the Cover You Need? We Stock Tyco, Reliable, Viking, Victaulic and Senju Covers.
Let’s start with a quick overview. A cover plate is a decorative piece of metal connected to a copper frame by temperature-responsive solder that covers a concealed sprinkler in a ceiling. 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). The temperature-responsive solder reacts to a specified temperature, usually about 20 degrees lower than the sprinkler’s activation temperature. After the solder melts, the decorative plate falls to the floor, exposing the sprinkler head.
Occasionally, however, sprinkler covers fall off or get damaged. Cleaning, painting, and moving them are all reasons we’ve heard for missing or damaged cover plates. When a cover is missing, you have this…
Before you replace, remember the fire sprinkler cover plate replacement golden rule: each concealed fire sprinkler has ONLY ONE replacement cover plate that fits. It’s like Cinderella’s slipper.
Quick Warning 1: Installing the wrong cover plate can be damaging and costly. It can void the sprinkler’s warranty, so future repairs will be significantly more expensive. In rare cases, the wrong cover can damage the sprinkler itself, unleashing a torrent of water into the building. By all means, let’s avoid that!
Quick Warnings 2 and 3: If a cover plate has fallen off, don’t glue or caulk it back onto the sprinkler. Caulk or glue does not react to temperature the same way as the cover plate’s solder, resulting in a blocked fire sprinkler which increases fire risk. If your reason for replacement is the cover’s color no longer matches the ceiling, don’t paint them. Get a new one that’s painted by the manufacturer.
How to remove a fire sprinkler cover
Alright, now that we’ve covered what not to do, how do you know which cover you need? To find your cinderella sprinkler cover, you need either: a) an old sprinkler cover or b) a ladder, so you can look at the sprinkler itself. Each manufacturer’s cover plate has a slightly different circumference and depth, but almost all are threaded and screw into the concealed sprinkler’s base. 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. If neither method removes the cover, sell the building (just kidding: call us).
How to find a Sprinkler Identification Number
With the cover removed, you can now search for the Sprinkler Identification Number (SIN), or model number. A SIN is usually 5-6 digits long and preceded by one or two letters. For example, a popular concealed Tyco model is TY3551. Here’s a handy list to help you translate letters to a manufacturer name:
- Victaulic: V
- Tyco: TY
- Senju Sprinklers: SS
- Reliable: R
- Globe: GL
- Viking: VK
- AG Sprinkler: AG
The applicable SINs are usually marked on the cover. Newer sprinkler covers often have a sticker affixed to the inside of the cover. The sticker specifies the manufacturer, temperature, and a list of SINs the cover matches. Newer model Victaulic, Tyco, and Viking cover plates all feature a sticker. If there is no a sticker, look for a stamp which is still preferred by Reliable and Senju today and many manufacturers in the past. See the image below for examples of both:
If all your cover plates are gone, don’t panic! The SIN and other information are commonly stamped on the sprinkler’s deflector. See the image below. The SS8461 sprinkler shown is the number you need. It is important to note that cover plates are often compatible with a variety of sprinklers offered by the same manufacturer. Once you have the SIN, the next step is ordering the right replacement.
Replacement Cover Plate Lookup Table
Identify the correct cover plate by first finding your brand and then finding the Sprinkler Identification Number (SIN) associated with your fire sprinkler in the table below. Click the link below the image to purchase in your preferred finish!
Tip: Try Ctrl +F or CMND + F to search. Or click one of the brand links below.
Check out our selection of Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
Here is our selection of Reliable Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
 |
|||||||||||
| Reliable (Rasco) G4 / G5 Commercial Cover Plates Fits SIN’s: AG5654, AG5604, RA0914, RA0612, R2111, R7146, R2112, R2113, R2115, R2118, R2211, R2212, R2213, R2215, R2218, R2511, R2512, R2513, R2518, R4441, R5411, R5412, RA0616, RA2312, RA3216, R5413, R5415, R5418, R6115, R6118, R6215, R6218, RA5114, RA3411, RA3413, RA3415, RA0611, RA3211, RA3415 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
| Reliable (Rasco) CCP Domed Cover Plate Fits SIN’s: R3511, RA2614, R3516, R7618, R3513, R4842, R5942, RA1414, RA2345, RA3045, RA3311, RA3316, RA3313, R5714, R5314 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
| Reliable (Rasco) G4 / G5 Cleanroom Cover Plate Fits SIN’s: R2111, R2112, R2113, R2115, R2118, R2211, R2212, R2213, R2215, R2218, RA3415 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| Reliable (Rasco) G1 White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates Fits SIN’s:R1511, R1512, R1513, R1515, R1518 |
|||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||
| Reliable (Rasco) RFS Residential Sidewall Cover Plate Fits SIN: RA4835 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| Reliable SWC Cover Plate Fits SIN’s: RA4862, R5962, R6834, R3531, RA0362, RA1564, RA3331 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| Reliable RFC White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates Fits SIN’s: RA0612, RA0616, RA3212, RA3216, RA0611, RA3211, RA0914, RA0613 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Here is our selection of Senju Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
Here is our selection of Tyco Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
 |
|||||||||||
| Royal Flush II (RFII) Commercial Cover Plates Fits SINs: TY3551, TY3531, TY3532, C2596, TY3555, TY3535, TY3539 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
 |
LFII Residential Cover Plates Fits SINs: TY2524, TY2596, TY3596 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
| Extra Large Orifice (ELO) Fits SINs: TY5522, TY5521 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| Tyco (Central) Royal Flush Model A Cover Plate Fits SIN’s: A, 76A, AA, A-1 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
Here is our selection of Victaulic Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
 |
|||||||||||
| V38 Commercial Cover Plates Fits SIN’s: V3801, V3802, V3804, V3806, V3807, V3808 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
| V27 / V39 Residential Cover Plates Fits SIN’s: V2734, V2736, V3904, V2742 |
|||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||
| V33 Sprinkler Cover Plate Fits SIN’s: V23301, V3302, V3303, V3304, V3102, V3104 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
| V36 Sprinkler Cover Plate Fits SIN’s: V3617, V3618, V3619, V3620 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Here is our selection of Viking Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
If you missed your plate, click these links to navigate back to your brand
Installing a new cover plate is as simple as twisting or pushing it on. Only install once you are certain you have the cover plate that is meant for sprinkler – but you knew that already, right?
Once the cover plate is installed, there should be a small gap between the ceiling and the lip of the cover plate. This is to allow heat to flow from a fire to the three solder spots, ensuring the cover releases on time during an emergency.
You now know how to properly remove a cover plate, locate the correct replacement, and install a new one! QRFS offers the largest selection of replacement cover plates available and it’s still growing! Almost every cover plate ships out the same day. If you are still struggling to find the cover plate you need, our exceptional customer service is standing by to help you out – just click here or call us at 888-361-6662.
Finally, if tables aren’t your thing…
Browse All Replacement Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
This blog originally posted by Jason Hugo and Courtney Montanye at blog.qrfs.com on November 4, 2016. If you like what you’ve read, check us out at Facebook.com/QuickResponseFireSupply or on Twitter @QuickResponseFS
I am looking for a cover that is attached to sprinkler with two springs. Cover is appx. 3.5 inches in diameter. Fire system was installed in 1989. Any help would be appreciated. thank you, Don Jones
Don, thanks for reaching out! To determine what cover you need, you need your Sprinkler Identification Number (SIN). A SIN is usually 5-6 digits long and preceded by one or two letters. For example, a popular concealed fire sprinkler head is TY3551, which indicates the fire sprinkler is manufactured by Tyco. Each fire sprinkler has a specific fire sprinkler cover plate associated with it. Once you have your SIN, you can email us at support@qrfs.com or call 888-361-6662 and we will find you the right cover plate.
Hi,
I think I need to replace all of my sprinkler covers and possibly the sprinklers it’s self. How would I go about that?
Brandii, we will have someone from our Support Team reach out!
I bough a condominium last September, the condo is located in a building built 40 years ago. We have sprinklers in all units. I have a concealed sprinklers, I am looking to replace the cover plate, its dimension are hight: 1″ 3/4, diameter: 2″7/8, I believe they are Phantom 1 cover plate . Is it possible to find those cover plates?
Thanks for your help
Lawrence
Lawrence, we will have someone from our Support Team contact you!
I am a GC who renovated some closets in an existing building. During demo, the sprinkler covers were not saved and now I need new ones to replace them. The only numbers I can get off the heads are:
SSP2
F950
Can you help? I also have some pictures if you email me back.
Thanks
Mike
Mike, thank you for reaching out. We will have someone from our QRFS Customer Support Team contact you.
Looking for a solution or advise…
Our newly rebuilt house (following the 2017 wildfires) has sprinklers throughout the rooms. Many of the sprinkler covers appears to be slightly misaligned leaving an ugly gap on one side. We had the sub-contractor back and he tightened up the covers but several still have the gap and he does not have a solution. I was hoping to get a slightly larger cover but then I read “the golden rule” above! Any ideas?
Unfortunately, it sounds like the placement of the sprinkler pipe and apparatus in relation to the hole is misaligned (vertically if it is a vertical gap, horizontally if the gap is up and down). Your best bet is to contact a fire sprinkler contractor and ask whether an adjustment to get it flush is possible.
Need a cover for VK456 140F head, it says Label #13752A
Chad — thank you for reaching out. We will have someone from our QRFS Customer Support Team contact you.
Hello. My kids were jumping around on the main level of my home. Unfortunately, they knocked one of the sprinkler covers off in the basement below. Should I shut the master water valve before attempting to put the cap back on? I’m petrified of these things especially considering I recently paid loads of cash to refinish my basement a second time due to sump pump failure. I don’t want any more water in my basement. Thanks in advance!
Matt — Shutting down the water is a good precautionary step, but you won’t necessarily know if you damaged the sprinkler once you put the cover back on, as it will be hidden from view. That said, reattaching cover plates is pretty simple. Most covers either screw on or have tabs that allow you to gently put them into place. The key to avoiding any damage to the head is carefully avoiding hitting the little glass bulb that’s in the center of the sprinkler frame—that’s what holds back the water.
If you have any reservations about doing this, we highly recommend contacting a sprinkler contractor. And if you are worried about ever setting off your sprinklers accidentally for any reason, we recommend buying a concealed head Shutgun, which will allow you to stop that water FAST.
The # on my sprinkler heads are TY2234, i do not see a cover for this model, can you help?
Robert — TY2234 indicates a Tyco Series LFII Residential Pendent sprinkler, which comes as either a pendent or a recessed pendent— it is not a concealed sprinkler. Thus, there is no cover plate for the sprinkler, but there are compatible escutcheons.
I am looking for a Victaulic sprinkler cover plate for model number V3517 or V3518.
Heather — thank you for reaching out. We will have someone from our QRFS Customer Support Team contact you.
I have a newer home with sprinklers installed. Wanting to finish the basement, which also has sprinklers in the ceiling. Question – can anybody tell me if there is a min. distance or code requirement that an overhead sprinkler should remain from a wall. I am framing basement walls, and didn’t know if the overhead sprinkler needs to stay a certain distance away from a wall to work properly. Was thinking of leaving 4″ from the center of the sprinkler to the newly constructed walls. Thoughts??
Matt — yes, there are minimum (and maximum) distances sprinklers need to be from a wall (and between obstructions and other sprinklers), and these can vary based on the type of sprinkler. If you are in a single-family home, your system almost certainly falls under the requirements found in NFPA 13D. We strongly urge you to consult with a qualified fire sprinkler professional to determine where to place sprinklers.
You can also try our Ask a Fire Pro service, though an onsite evaluation from a sprinkler professional is still recommended. Click the link to submit your question with some information about your building or system, and a fire protection professional will provide a detailed answer based on standards and codes. Our pros include AHJs, contractors, engineers, and code experts with 150+ years of combined experience.
We live in a three story townhome development with fire sprinkler system NFPA 25 13R. We need to find fire sprinkler cover plates. I have looked online and cannot find any that look exactly like the ones that were installed tin 2002. I can send you a photo if that will help.
Thank you for reaching out. We will have someone from our QRFS Customer Support Team contact you, and you can also email them any requests —including a picture of the cover (get any markings in the frame) to get faster service!
I have sprinklers in the condo I’m renting that stick out of the wall. What if anything can I do to minimize accidental activation as I have a child who is unpredictable.
In consultation with a fire protection professional, you might be able to install listed and approved head guards for those specific sprinklers. We suggest you contact a sprinkler contractor in your area to discuss the options.
Looking for cover plates for late 80’s model sprinklers. Only markings on sprinkler are FM, 458A, and SSP2 on the sprinkler blades. The escutcheon and cover plates are designated model F946, 135°F cover. Thanks
Michael — Thank you for reaching out. We will have someone from our QRFS Customer Support Team contact you. You can email them any requests to get faster service!
Hello! This blog was really helpful to read through, thank you. We live in a 3-family condo built in 2004. Unfortunately our sprinkler system suffered a freeze in February and the building had extensive water damage. 4 breaks were repaired, resulting in new sprinkler heads in part of the building but they don’t match the original ones so now the ceiling has a few different types of escutcheons which I hate the look of. 1) is this normal or should our fire prevention company installed matching sprinkler heads? 2) Is there any way to get these to match more closely without needing to install all new sprinkler heads throughout the condo? I know you said each Sprinkler head has its own Cinderella slipper but I was hoping it was as simple as ordering a different style cover that can still fit the old sprinkler heads. 3) Lastly, if we want to improve sound insulation a company has recommended some solutions that involve lowering the ceiling a bit, is there a cost effective way to adjust the sprinkler height? I’m assuming not, but this blog seems like the right place to ask! Thank you!!!
Jessica —
1. First, you are using the term “escutcheons” and “covers” interchangeably, it seems, and these are different things. Escutcheons are the items that surround sprinklers and fill in the hole cut in walls or ceilings; you can still see the sprinkler deflector and usually much of the head. Covers are plates that completely hide a sprinkler in a ceiling or wall; you just see a disk or square. Regarding whether a sprinkler needs to be an exact match/replacement, it depends. The primary goal is to, yes, install the exact same model because the initial ones fulfilled the initial system design. But sometimes old sprinklers are discontinued, etc., and NFPA allows installing a different sprinkler with the same performance characteristics.
2. Getting them to match: If you are referring to covers, there is indeed only one “slipper” (cover) that fits Cinderella’s foot (sprinkler). Matching the covers requires replacing sprinklers to match the old ones (or finding a sprinkler with a very similar-looking cover). If you are referring to escutcheons, sprinklers that are installed “recessed” or “flush” need a specifically listed escutcheon and basically have the same deal as covers, but some sprinklers entirely exposed from the surface and using non-listed escutcheons do not. You can read about that here.
3. Any adjustment of sprinkler height will involve some expense, of course (draining the system, replacing heads, etc.). As far as a more cost-effective way than completely rebuilding the network of pipes—and without knowing more about your system and building, etc.—you might ask a fire protection pro if flexible sprinkler drops (like this one) are a practical and code-compliant option.
Thanks for reading and best of luck!