Central Sprinkler's New K-25 ESFR Sprinkler

The Central Sprinkler Co. of Lansdale, PA has designed a new ESFR sprinkler head with pressure requirements of up to 60% less than its ESFR predecessors. The new Ultra K-25 ESFR sprinkler head has already been accepted by Factory Mutual (FM). The pressure requirement for the old ESFR sprinkler heads (K-factor of 14) was 50 psi for 30 ft. buildings with 25 ft. high storage. The pressure required for the same storage arrangement using the Ultra K-25 can be reduced to 20 psi. There are several advantages to the K-25 ESFR sprinkler as compared to the older K-14 ESFR sprinkler. They are as follows: - The main advantage is the lower required pressure. - It can eliminate the need for a pump and all of the associated pump expenses. - The maximum deflector distance is 18 in. for the K-25 ESFR heads whereas the K-14 ESFR heads have a maximum deflector distance of 14 in. - The K-25 ESFR heads can be used for buildings up to 45 ft. high with 40 ft. high storage, without the need for in-rack sprinklers. The K-14 ESFR heads require in-rack sprinklers in this situation. - There is a 5 ft. incremental ceiling design criteria above 30 ft. This limits the amount of pressure required in a more user friendly manner and makes plans easier to design and review. The remaining installation guidelines are essentially the same for both ESFR sprinklers. The technical data on the ULTRA K-25 ESFR sprinkler head is as follows: Model: ULTRA K-25 Style: Pendent Orifice Size: 0.93 in. K-Factor: 25 Thread Size: 1 in. N.P.T. Temp. Rating: 160┬║F and 200┬║F Sensitivity: Quick Response Approvals: FM A Tentative Interim Amendment has been made in the 1998 edition of NFPA 231C to incorporate the design of the K-25 ESFR sprinkler head. Table 10-1.1 "Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) Sprinkler Data" allows the following design parameters:

Storage Arrangement	Commodities Protected	Maximum Storage Height (ft.)	Maximum Building Height (ft.)	K-Factor	Sprinkler Design Pressure (psi)
Single, double, and multiple row racks (No open top containers or solid shelves)	Class I, II, III and IV commodities and cartoned unexpanded plastics Encapsulated or unencapsulated	25	30	25	20
		30	35	25	30
		35	40	25	40
		40	45	25	50

Note: No in-rack sprinklers are required for the above mentioned design arrangements. For more information call technical services at (800) 523-6512 - Central Sprinkler Co. of Lansdale, PA.