Sprinkler identification numbers (SINs) reveal a lot, but you may need part numbers to get the right Tyco sprinkler
At QRFS, we love SINs—sprinkler identification numbers, that is. Every fire sprinkler model has one of these unique identifiers, such as TY101. The starting letters indicate the manufacturer—VK is for Viking, TY for Tyco, V for Victaulic, RA for Reliable, and SN for Senju. The trailing numbers identify the model, which is unique down to the orientation (e.g., upright versus pendent), K-factor, coverage type, and thermal response (e.g., standard versus quick).
SINs have most of the information you need to buy sprinklers, but they can’t tell you the sprinkler’s activation temperature or finish. And there are some sprinkler types, notably dry sprinklers with customized barrel lengths, where you’ll need a more specific manufacturer part number with additional information.
Most sprinkler manufacturers explain their part-numbering scheme in their data sheets. However, if you need Tyco sprinklers, we’ve also created this guide to these codes.
Read on to learn:
For more resources regarding this manufacturer, check out our previous articles:
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The anatomy of a Tyco sprinkler part number
Here’s what most Tyco sprinkler part numbers look like:
In most Tyco data sheets, you’ll find a diagram similar to the one above that helps determine the correct part number for placing an order. Each part number has digits that indicate the general model, SIN, sprinkler finish, and activation temperature, which Tyco labels “temperature rating” (technically, a sprinkler’s temperature rating indicates a range).
We’ve got a brief explainer for each item below, plus a word on cover plates for concealed sprinklers.
General sprinkler model
The first two digits on a Tyco part number narrow things down to the general sprinkler model. For example, all TY-FRB sprinklers (Tyco’s quick-response bulb sprinklers) have a prefix of 77. There’s no apparent significance to these numbers; they are just what Tyco designates. To get the correct number, you can check the data sheet of the sprinkler you want to buy.
Sprinkler SIN
The following three numbers specifically reveal the sprinkler SIN. But watch out! These numbers have no relation to the actual sprinkler SIN—they’re arbitrary. As an example, P/N 77–370–X–XXX gets you the upright sprinkler TY313, and those numbers obviously don’t correspond.
Once again, you can check the data sheet to get the right number here.
Sprinkler finish
This next single digit is a code for the sprinkler finish. Tyco offers many colors and coatings for its sprinklers, and some (namely, the polyester paint colors) are listed as corrosion-resistant.
- Natural Brass
- Pure White Polyester
- Signal White Polyester
- Jet Black Polyester
- Chrome Plated
- Brushed Chrome
- Wax Coated
- Lead Coated
- Wax Over Lead
- Custom Polyester Paint
Each finish is represented by a single digit, 0-9, or the letter X (for a custom color). The list is generally consistent between data sheets—but sometimes not! Plus, not every finish is available on every sprinkler. Like always, check the data sheet to be sure.
As an example, P/N 77–370–9–XXX is a chrome-plated TY313 sprinkler.
Sprinkler activation temperature
The last digits of a Tyco sprinkler part number determine its activation temperature. Thankfully, this string is straightforward—the numbers here are actually the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature you need is 155°F, then a “155” goes in this space.
For example, P/N 77–370–9–286 is TY313 with a chrome-plated finish and a 286°F activation temperature. That’s all the info you need to order!
Cover plates for concealed sprinklers
When ordering Tyco concealed sprinklers such as the RFII model, you’ll order the cover plate separately, and it has a separate part number. First, specify the concealed sprinkler you need—there won’t as many color and temperature options vs. exposed heads. Then, specify the correct cover plate.
For example, P/N 51–792–1–155 gets you the 155°F version of a concealed pendent TY3531. Separately, P/N 56–792–6–135 gets you the 135°F jet black cover plate. Again, the data sheet will tell you which cover plates are compatible with which sprinklers!
The anatomy of a Tyco dry sprinkler part number
Freezing temperatures and most fire sprinklers and systems normally don’t mix. But dry sprinklers address that problem, featuring a long, pressurized-air-filled barrel with a spring-loaded mechanism.
Some of these models are used so the heat-sensing sprinkler head extends into a cold space—say, a walk-in freezer in a restaurant—while the long barrel connects it to the climate-controlled, water-filled pipe that is safe from freezing. In other cases, dry sprinklers are used in dry systems in specific pendent and sidewall configurations.
The spring-loaded mechanism keeps water out of the barrel; when the sprinkler activates, the pressurized gas releases, and so does the spring and inlet, letting the water in.
The barrels on dry sprinklers come in different lengths, and these lengths are custom orders that you can specify with a part number. But to fit that info in, Tyco had to rearrange its regular part numbers to new codes for dry sprinklers. Here’s how they work:
SINs and assemblies
Tyco’s dry sprinkler part number still starts with the general sprinkler model. However, instead of the next set of numbers being the SIN, dry sprinklers are divided by SIN and the sprinkler/escutcheon assembly. For example, you can get sprinkler TY5255 preassembled with a recessed escutcheon, a flush escutcheon, an extended escutcheon, or no escutcheon.
This info is captured in the first two digits of the code that would represent the SIN in a regular sprinkler’s part number.
For example, P/N*61–10X–X–XXX indicates the TY5255 dry sprinkler with a flush escutcheon. Check the data sheet for these specific options and codes!
Activation temperature is shorter, coded, and moved
For dry sprinklers, the code for temperature is in a completely different place, and it’s only one digit, requiring a key to know what it is. On these part numbers, temperature rating is indicated in the third digit of the string that would reveal the SIN of a non-dry sprinkler.
For example, in P/N 61–101-X-XXX, the bolded “1” means it’s a 155°F dry sprinkler. As always, check the data sheet for the key.
Barrel length/order length must be indicated
The two part-number changes above seem to be in place to make room for barrel length, which Tyco specifies as “order length.” The order length changes depending on what the sprinkler is and how it’s measured, including whether it has an escutcheon; check out the Tyco section in our guide to measuring custom barrel lengths for dry sprinklers.
When you order a Tyco dry sprinkler, you must specify that order length using the last 3 digits in the part number. And Tyco allows people to order custom barrel lengths in increments of 0.25”. So, for example:
- A 5” order length would be code 050
- A 5.25” order length would be 052
- A 5.5” order length would be 055
- A 5.75” barrel would 057
To build out our example part number, let’s say we need a maximum length of 48″—our completed part number is P/N 61–101-0-480.
Part numbers aren’t too complicated—just check the data sheet!
There are a number of options when ordering fire sprinklers, and knowing the sprinkler identification number (SIN) gets you most of the way there. Usually, you just need to choose temperature and finish after that, and QRFS makes ordering non-dry heads easy with our product pages and QuickFinder tool.
However, if you’d like to get really specific—and we need to do that when ordering dry sprinklers—you can get precisely the right head by using the manufacturer’s part number, which captures all the information. Tyco makes this relatively easy, giving you the diagrammed code and a key for choices in its data sheets.
Check out QRFS’s huge selection of Tyco sprinklers, cover plates, escutcheons, and wrenches. For special dry orders, or if you need something you don’t find in our catalog, contact us at support@qrfs.com or 888-361-6662.
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