#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.

Royal Flush II (RFII) Commercial Cover PlatesFits SINs: TY3551, TY3531, TY3532, C2596, TY3555, TY3535, TY3539	Tyco RFII Bright White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Tyco RFII Polished Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Tyco RFII Jet Black Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F
LFII Residential Cover Plates Fits SINs: TY2524, TY2596, TY3596	Tyco LFII Bright White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Tyco LFII Brushed Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Tyco LFII Jet Black Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F
LFII Residential Cover Plates Fits SINs: TY2524, TY2596, TY3596	Tyco LFII Terra Brown Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Tyco LFII Grey White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Tyco LFII Beige Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F
LFII Residential Cover Plates Fits SINs: TY2524, TY2596, TY3596	Tyco LFII Ivory Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Tyco LFII Brushed Brass Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F	Custom paint is possible! Call us at 888-361-6662.
Extra Large Orifice (ELO) Cover Plate Fits SINs: TY5522, TY5521	Tyco ELOC White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 139F
Tyco (Central) Royal Flush Model A Cover Plate Fits Sprinkler Models: A, 76A, AA, A-1	Tyco (Central) Model A Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate in White	Other finishes available via special order. Call us!
Reliable (Rasco) G4 / G5 Commercial Cover Plates Fits SINs: 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 G4 / G5 White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Reliable G4 / G5 Polished Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Reliable G4 / G5 Black Cover Plate 135F
Reliable (Rasco) G4 / G5 Commercial Cover Plates Fits SINs: 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 G4 / G5 Off-White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Reliable (Rasco) G4 / G5 Cleanroom Cover Plate Fits SINs: R2111, R2112, R2113, R2115, R2118, R2211, R2212, R2213, R2215, R2218, RA3415	Reliable G4 / G5 Cleanroom White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Reliable (Rasco) RFC Residential Cover Plate Fits SINs: RA0612, RA0616, RA3212, RA3216, RA0611, RA3211, RA0914, RA0613	Reliable RFC White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Reliable RFC Bronze Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Reliable (Rasco) RFS Residential Sidewall Cover Plate Fits SIN: RA4835	Reliable RFS White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Reliable SWC Sidewall Cover Plate Fits SIN: RA4862, R5962, R6834, R3531, RA0362, RA1564, RA3331	Reliable SWC Domed White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Reliable (Rasco) CCP Domed Cover Plate Fits SINs: R3511, RA2614, R3516, R7618, R3513, R4842, R5942, RA1414, RA2345, RA3045, RA3311, RA3316, RA3313, R5714, R5314	Reliable CCP Domed White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Reliable CCP Domed Black Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Reliable CCP Domed Polished Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Reliable (Rasco) CCP Domed Cover Plate Fits SINs: R3511, RA2614, R3516, R7618, R3513, R4842, R5942, RA1414, RA2345, RA3045, RA3311, RA3316, RA3313, R5714, R5314	Reliable CCP Domed Off-White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
V38 Commercial Cover Plates Fits SINs: V3801, V3802, V3804, V3806, V3807, V3808	Victaulic V38 White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Victaulic V38 Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Victaulic V38 Black Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
V27 / V39 Residential Cover Plates Fits SINs: V2734, V2736, V3904, V2742	Victaulic V27 Domed White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Victaulic V27 Domed Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
V33 / V31 Sprinkler Cover Plate Fits SINs: V23301, V3302, V3303, V3304, V3102, V3104	Victaulic V33 White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
RC Residential Cover Plates (2 5/8 in.) Fits SINs: SS8451, SS8461	Senju RC White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate (2 5/8 in.)	Senju RC Nickel Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate (2 5/8 in.)	Senju RC Ivory Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate (2 5/8 in.)
RC Residential Cover Plates (3 1/4 in.) Fits SINs: SS8451, SS8461	Senju RC White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate (3 1/4 in.)	Senju RC Nickel Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate (3 1/4 in.)	Senju RC Ivory Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate (3 1/4in.)
Mirage Commercial Cover Plates Fits SINs: VK457, VK4570, VK474, VK4740, VK488, VK4880, VK494, VK4940, VK461, VK462, VK463, VK464, VK465, VK492, VK632, VK634	Viking Mirage White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Viking Mirage Black Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Viking Mirage Large Diameter White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Mirage Commercial Cover Plates Fits SINs: VK457, VK4570, VK474, VK4740, VK488, VK4880, VK494, VK4940, VK461, VK462, VK463, VK464, VK465, VK492, VK632, VK634	Viking Mirage Large Diameter Brushed Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Viking Mirage Large Diameter Black Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Viking Mirage Large Diameter Polished Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Domed Cover Plate Fits SINs: VK102, VK190, VK192, VK194, VK196, VK202, VK302, VK352, VK353, VK614, VK616, VK618	Viking Domed White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Freedom Residential Cover Plates Fits SINs: VK425, VK458, VK466, VK468	Viking Freedom Domed White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F	Viking Freedom White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate 135F
Horizon Mirage Cover Plate Fits SINs: VK404, VK454	Viking Horizon Mirage White Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate	Viking Horizon Mirage Polished Chrome Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate	Viking Horizon Mirage Black Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate
Horizon Mirage Cover Plate Fits SINs: VK404, VK454	Viking Horizon Mirage Brushed Copper Fire Sprinkler Cover Plate

Admittedly, we do not have access to every cover plate made. Additionally, the manufacturers do not support every concealed sprinkler they’ve ever produced. That latter point is the most common reason people are unable to replace their sprinkler covers. If your sprinkler is a model that is no longer manufactured, locating a cover plate will not be easy. Your best bet is to call the manufacturer to ask if their other distributors might have some old stock on the shelf (we’ve provided a list below). Unfortunately, if you cannot find the right replacement cover then replacing the sprinklers is the only alternative.

Top Fire Sprinkler Manufacturers’ Direct Phone Lines:

• Victaulic: (800) PICK-VIC
• Tyco: (518) 988-7200
• Senju Sprinkler: (949) 333-1281
• Reliable: (864) 843-5227
• Globe: (989) 846-4583
• Viking: (296) 945-9501

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