If a sprinkler is located within a 7'-0" radius and 2'-0" above a unit heater, what rating must the sprinkler have?

If a sprinkler is located within a 7'-0" radius and 2'-0" above a unit heater, what rating must the sprinkler have?

• A. Low
• B. High
• C. Medium
• D. Standard

Answer: (B)

When a sprinkler sits close to a heat source like a unit heater, the surrounding air around the head runs hotter than normal. The temperature rating of the sprinkler determines how hot the environment must be before it activates. In this position—within a seven-foot radius and just two feet above the heater—the ambient heat from the heater could push a lower-rated head to its activation temperature even without a real fire. To prevent nuisance discharge from the heater’s heat while still reliably responding to a true fire, you choose a sprinkler with a higher temperature rating. That higher rating will stay closed until there’s enough heat from an actual fire, making it the appropriate choice here.

When a sprinkler sits close to a heat source like a unit heater, the surrounding air around the head runs hotter than normal. The temperature rating of the sprinkler determines how hot the environment must be before it activates. In this position—within a seven-foot radius and just two feet above the heater—the ambient heat from the heater could push a lower-rated head to its activation temperature even without a real fire. To prevent nuisance discharge from the heater’s heat while still reliably responding to a true fire, you choose a sprinkler with a higher temperature rating. That higher rating will stay closed until there’s enough heat from an actual fire, making it the appropriate choice here.