Sprinkler Head Spacing and

Location
***WARNING: Fire suppression systems, including sprinklers, MUST be designed by a
Professional Engineer. The information contained in this article is general in nature and is to
be used as a GUIDELINE for architects. You must have a Professional Engineer design a
sprinkler system to address your specific situation and to meet the codes applicable in your
jurisdiction. The information in the article is based on NFPA 13.

Sprinkler Head Location

There are two main criteria for the location of sprinkler heads. First, sprinklers must be located so
they are within the hot-gas layer that develops near the ceiling during a fire because activation
occurs when the sprinkler head reaches a certain temperature. Second, they must be located so that
the water that is discharged from the sprinkler is not disrupted or affected by construction elements
such as beams, trusses, or soffits.

The diagram at left shows the water distribution for standard pendant and upright sprinkler fixtures. It
is useful to understand how objects within this distribution area can alter the throw and disrupt the
ability of the sprinkler to extinguish a fire.
This is a general depiction of sprinkler throw and should not be used to determine sprinkler spacing.
Refer to the manufacturer data for specific throw data. Please note, that the throw of a sprinkler
should not be used for sprinkler spacing - local codes determine spacing requirements.
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Sprinkler Head Spacing

The table below shows sprinkler spacing requirements based on NFPA 13. This table shall be used
only as a tool for architects. Actual design of a sprinkler system MUST be done by a Professional
Engineer for each project.

OCCUPANCY HAZARD

SQUARE
FOOT PER
HEAD

MAXIMUM
SPACING
BETWEEN
SPRINKLERS

Light Hazard
(Office, Educational, Religious, Institutional,
Hospitals, Restaurants, Clubs, Theaters, etc.)

130-200 SF per
head
(based on
obstructions and
flow calcs)

15 ft

Ordinary Hazard
(Mills, Manufacturing, Processing, Machine Shops,
Repair Garages, Post Offices, Bakeries, Wood
Machining and Assembly, Auto Parking, etc.)

130 SF per head

15 ft

Extra Hazard
(Plastic Processing, Chemical Spraying, Metal
Extruding, Printing, Varnishing, Painting, etc.)

90-130 SF per
head
(based on
obstructions and

12 ft

OCCUPANCY HAZARD

SQUARE
FOOT PER
HEAD

MAXIMUM
SPACING
BETWEEN
SPRINKLERS

flow calcs)

Maximum Distance from Wall: half (1/2) of the maximum distance between sprinkler heads.
Minimum Distance Between Sprinklers: typically 6'-0".
Distance from Ceiling: minimum 1", maximum 12" for unobstructed construction. The minimum 1"
is typical; however, concealed, recessed, and flush sprinklers may be mounted less than 1" from the
ceiling and shall be installed based on their listing.

Sprinkler Head Types

There are a number of different types of sprinkler heads that meet different needs. This article covers
the operation types (fusible link vs. bulb), the distribution types (pendant, upright, sidewall), and
response temperatures.

Fusible Link Sprinklers vs. Glass Bulb Sprinklers

All wet-pipe sprinklers are held closed by either a fusible link or a glass bulb that contains a heatsensitive liquid.
A fusible link sprinkler head has a two-part metal element that is fused by a heat-sensitive alloy.
The link holds the pip cap, or plug, in place. Once the ambient temperature around the sprinkler
head reaches a specified temperature, the alloy releases and the metal elements separate, which
causes the pip cap to fall away. Water is then released. Note that water is only released by sprinkler
heads where the ambient temperature reaches a specified level - therefore, water is only released in
the area of a fire, which helps limit water damage.
Glass bulb sprinkler heads have a small glass reservoir that holds a heat-sensitive liquid. This glass
bulb holds the pip cap in place. When the ambient temperature of the liquid reaches a certain level,
the liquid expands causing the glass bulb to break, which allows the pip cap to fall away releasing

water. As with the fusible link heads, water is only released where the ambient temperature reaches
a certain level, which helps limit water damage.

Sprinkler Response Temperatures

Since ambient air temperatures can vary widely depending on the use of a space or surrounding
environment, sprinklers come rated for different activation temperatures. The table below is based on
NFPA 13 table 3-2.5.1 (US National Fire Code); however, manufacturers may have sprinklers with
different temperature ratings.

CLASSIFICATION

MAXIMUM
CEILING
TEMPERATURE

SPRINKLER
ACTIVATION
TEMPERATURE

GLASS
BULB
COLOR

FUSIBLE
LINK
COLOR

Ordinary

100F

135F - 170F

Orange
(135F)
Red
(155F)

black; no
color

Intermediate

150F

175F - 225F

Yellow
(175F)
Green
(200F)

White

High

225F

250F-300F

Blue

Blue

Extra High

300F

325F - 375F

Purple

Red

Very Extra High

375F

400F - 475F

Black

Green

Ultra High

475F

500F - 575F

Black

Orange

Ultra High

625F

650F

Black

Orange

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Sprinkler Head Distribution Types

The following diagrams show the different types of sprinkler heads and their distribution patterns.
Refer to manufacturer information for coverage radii.

Pendant Sprinkler Head

Pendant sprinkler heads hang down from the ceiling and spray water in a circle pattern.

Concealed Pendant Sprinkler Head

Concealed pendant sprinkler heads are recessed in a ceiling and are covered with a decorative cap.
The cap will fall away about 20F prior to activation of the sprinkler. Once the sprinkler reaches its
rated activation temperature, the head will drop below the ceiling. The water pattern of concealed
sprinkler heads is a circle.

Upright Sprinkler Head

Upright sprinkler heads project up into a space and have deflectors that spray the water downward.
They are generally used in mechanical rooms or other inaccessible areas to provide better coverage
between obstructions like beams or ducts. They also provide a circle spray pattern

Side Wall Sprinkler Head

Side wall sprinkler heads stand out from a wall and have a deflector that sprays water away from the
wall in a half-circle spray pattern. A second deflector also sprays water back toward the wall so that
the wall is protected. These are used when sprinklers cannot be located in the ceiling.