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#58 – Which Fire Sprinkler Head Cover Plate Do I Need?
#58 – Which Fire Sprinkler Head Cover Plate Do I Need?
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.
This is what your cover plates should look like ...
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…
A missing cover plate
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!
Do not caulk, paint, or glue cover plates back in place (Image Source; modified)
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.
Cover plates are manufacturer specific – each one is a little different
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:
Either sticker or stamp will list applicable SINs (Victaulic, left; Reliable, right)
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.
This is an SS8461 fire sprinkler from Senju Sprinkler
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
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| 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 |
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| Reliable (Rasco) CCP Domed Cover Plate Fits SIN's: R3511, RA2614, R3516, R7618, R3513, R4842, R5942, RA1414, RA2345, RA3045, RA3311, RA3316, RA3313, R5714, R5314 |
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| Reliable (Rasco) G4 / G5 Cleanroom Cover Plate Fits SIN's: R2111, R2112, R2113, R2115, R2118, R2211, R2212, R2213, R2215, R2218, RA3415 |
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| Reliable (Rasco) G1 White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates Fits SIN's:R1511, R1512, R1513, R1515, R1518 |
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| Reliable (Rasco) RFS Residential Sidewall Cover Plate Fits SIN: RA4835 |
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| Reliable SWC Cover Plate Fits SIN's: RA4862, R5962, R6834, R3531, RA0362, RA1564, RA3331 |
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| Reliable RFC White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates Fits SIN's: RA0612, RA0616, RA3212, RA3216, RA0611, RA3211, RA0914, RA0613 |
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Here is our selection of Senju Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
Here is our selection of Tyco Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
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| Royal Flush II (RFII) Commercial Cover Plates Fits SINs: TY3551, TY3531, TY3532, C2596, TY3555, TY3535, TY3539 |
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LFII Residential Cover Plates Fits SINs: TY2524, TY2596, TY3596 |
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| Extra Large Orifice (ELO) Fits SINs: TY5522, TY5521 |
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| Tyco (Central) Royal Flush Model A Cover Plate Fits SIN's: A, 76A, AA, A-1 |
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Here is our selection of Victaulic Fire Sprinkler Cover Plates
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| V38 Commercial Cover Plates Fits SIN's: V3801, V3802, V3804, V3806, V3807, V3808 |
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| V27 / V39 Residential Cover Plates Fits SIN's: V2734, V2736, V3904, V2742 |
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| V33 Sprinkler Cover Plate Fits SIN's: V23301, V3302, V3303, V3304, V3102, V3104 |
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| V36 Sprinkler Cover Plate Fits SIN's: V3617, V3618, V3619, V3620 |
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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 QRFS.com/blog on November 4, 2016. If you like what you’ve read, check us out at Facebook.com/QuickResponseFireSupply or on Twitter @QuickResponseFS
The material presented on Thoughts on Fire and QRFS.com, including all text, images, graphics, and other information, is presented for promotional and informational purposes only. Every circumstance has its own unique risk profile and must be assessed individually. The content on this website in no way eliminates the need for assessment and advice from a life safety professional, the services of which should be employed in all situations. In addition, always consult with a professional, such as a life safety engineer, contractor, and your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ; a fire marshal or other government official) before making any changes to your fire protection or life safety system.
I think I need to replace all of my sprinkler covers and possibly the sprinklers it’s self. How would I go about that?
Thanks for your help
Lawrence
SSP2
F950
Can you help? I also have some pictures if you email me back.
Thanks
Mike
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?
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.
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.