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  • Fire Sprinklers
    • Cover Plates
      • Cover Plate Finder
      • Flat
      • Domed
      • Viking Cover Plates
      • Tyco Cover Plates
      • Reliable Cover Plates
      • Victaulic Cover Plates
      • Senju Cover Plates
      • Cleanroom
    • Escutcheons
      • Escutcheon Finder
      • Recessed
      • Adjustable (401)
      • Split Ring (Retrofit)
      • One Piece
      • Institutional
      • Viking Escutcheons
      • Tyco Escutcheons
      • Reliable Escutcheons
      • Victaulic Escutcheons
      • Senju Escutcheons
      • Vaulted Ceiling
      • Extension Tubes
    • Sprinkler Heads
      • Sprinkler Finder
      • Uprights
      • Pendents
      • Concealed Pendents
      • Horizontal Sidewalls
      • Concealed Sidewalls
      • Residential
      • Standard Response (SR)
      • Quick Response (QR)
      • ESFR, EC, & Other
      • Institutional
      • Viking Fire Sprinklers
      • Tyco Fire Sprinklers
      • Victaulic Fire Sprinklers
      • Reliable Fire Sprinklers
      • Senju Fire Sprinklers
    • Head Wrenches
      • Standard
      • Concealed
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      • Cabinet/Plastic
      • Hybrid and Other
    • Sprinkler Accessories
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      • Installation Tools
      • Trim Rings
      • Spare Head Cabinets
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      • Paint Covers
      • Standard Head Guards
      • Heavy Duty Head Guards
      • Water Shields and Baffles
    • Shut off Tools
      • Shutgun
    • System Components
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      • Flexible Drops
      • Drywall Access Doors
      • Pre-Assembled Risers
      • Cleaning Tools
      • Breakable Locks
  • Pipe
    • CPVC Fittings
      • Caps
      • Couplings
      • Adapters and Reducers
      • Elbows
      • Tees
      • Bushings
      • Pipe
      • Crosses
      • Cement
    • Grooved Fittings
      • Couplings
      • Adapters and Reducers
      • Caps
      • Mechanical Tees
      • Tees
      • Elbows
      • Crosses
      • Coupling Grease
    • Black Iron Fittings
      • Bushings
      • Nipples
      • Square Head Plugs
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      • Galvanized
      • Rod Buttons
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      • Smoke Detector Test Kits
      • Smoke Aerosols and Cartridges
      • Smoke Dispensers
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      • Scorpion (Mounted)
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      • CO Detector Test Kits
      • CO Aerosols and Cartridges
      • CO Dispensers
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      • Duct Detector Testing
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    • Other Detector Testing
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      • Access Poles
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      • Pitot Gauge Kits
      • Flow Testing Parts
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      • 24V
      • 120V
      • Alarm Bell Accessories
    • Electronic Supervision
      • Flow Switches
      • Pressure Switches
      • Supervisory Switches
  • FDCs
    • Exposed Bodies
      • Angled
      • Straight
    • Concealed Bodies
      • Angled
      • Straight
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      • Breakable Caps
      • Plug and Chains
    • Snoots and Swivels
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      • Auto Spkr ID Plates
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    • Shotgun Riser Check Valves
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      • Brass Check Valves
      • In-Line Check Valves
      • Swing Check Valves
    • Angle Valves
    • Testing & Maintenance
      • Pressure Relief Valves
      • Bleeder Valves
      • Three Way Valves
      • Ball Valves
      • Globe Valves
      • Ball Drip Valves
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Topic: Systems & Other Parts

Air Maintenance Devices & Fire Sprinkler Systems: The Basics

February 9, 2026July 30, 2025 by Phillip Dryden
Preaction sprinkler system

Air maintenance devices are essential components of dry and preaction sprinkler systems. Learn how they work and fit into these systems.

Categories Fire Protection Systems Leave a comment

Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor vs Nitrogen Sprinkler Systems to Combat Corrosion

February 9, 2026June 19, 2025 by Phillip Dryden
Fire sprinkler pipe corrosion

Dry and preaction sprinkler systems are more prone to corrosion. Learn about two options to handle it: vapor corrosion inhibitors and nitrogen sprinkler systems.

Categories Fire Sprinklers Leave a comment

How to Buy American-Made Fire Protection Equipment

February 9, 2026November 20, 2024 by Jason Hugo
Buy American Made Fire Protection Equipment

American-made fire sprinklers and other fire protection parts aren’t hard to find! Learn how to comply with the Buy American Act and Build America, Buy America rules for qualifying fire protection projects.

Categories QRFS Tags Buy American, Made in America Leave a comment

Wall Hydrants vs Fire Department Connections: What’s the Difference?

February 9, 2026January 31, 2024 by Phillip Dryden
Wall hydrant vs FDC

Wall hydrants look similar to FDCs but flow water the other way. Learn how each works, when they’re needed, the maintenance requirements, and more.

Categories FDCs Tags FDCs, fire department connections, wall hydrants 1 Comment

You (Probably) Don’t Have a 3” FDC: Sizing FDC Fire Equipment, Caps, & Plugs

February 7, 2026November 6, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Sizing FDC fire equipment

Countless consumers order the wrong fire department connection caps and plugs. Choose the right size and thread for your FDC fire equipment with this guide.

Categories FDCs Leave a comment

Problems with Fire Extinguishers That Cause Them to Fail

February 7, 2026October 9, 2019 by Jason Hugo
What causes fire extinguisher problems

Certain problems with fire extinguishers can cause them to fail when they’re needed most. Learn how care, service, and inspection keep extinguishers intact.

Categories Fire Extinguishers 10 Comments

Guide to Fire Hose Reels and Racks for Standpipe and Hose Systems

February 7, 2026October 2, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Fire hose rack and reel for standpipe

Learn what the NFPA, ICC, and other organizations have to say about installing and phasing out fire hose reels and fire hose racks in standpipe and hose systems.

Categories Fire Hose & Hydrants 17 Comments

Video Smoke Detection: Spotting Smoke and Fire with Cameras

February 6, 2026September 10, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Video smoke detection

Does video smoke detection identify fires accurately? QRFS examines video image detection (VID) of smoke and/or flames, digging into the tech and its uses.

Categories Fire Protection Systems 4 Comments

Fire Blankets vs. Fire Extinguishers: Pros, Cons and Considerations

February 6, 2026August 15, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Fire blanket vs fire extinguisher

QRFS compares fire blankets and fire extinguishers, explaining how and where each on may be used as part of a fire protection strategy.

Categories Fire Extinguishers 14 Comments

Choosing a Replacement Fire Department Connection (FDC): Frequently Asked Questions

February 6, 2026August 14, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Replacing a fire department connection

Building owners and facility managers often find the process of replacing a fire department connection, or FDC, confusing. QRFS looks at FDCs from a buyer’s perspective, answering frequently asked questions about this important piece of fire protection equipment.

Categories FDCs Leave a comment

Fire Hose Adapters and Fittings: The Definitive Guide

February 6, 2026June 12, 2019 by Jason Hugo
Fire hose with adapter

They’re some of the smallest items on a fire engine—but they help firefighters make the most of other equipment. Get a quick handle on today’s fire hose fittings & adapters with this definitive guide from QRFS.

Categories Fire Hose & Hydrants 12 Comments
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