Counterfeit equipment and materials, no matter whether it is currency, watches or medicine, affect the reliability of the end user’s systems as well as the reputation of the authentic manufacturers. Automatic sprinkler heads are no exception.
The two internationally recognized approval agencies, Underwriter’s Laboratories and FM Approvals, constantly look for counterfeit equipment and materials that have their Listed/Approval mark on them. Counterfeit materials and equipment do not have to undergo these agencies’ standards of manufacturing, operation and reliability. Therefore, it is unknown if these products will actually work as defined by these agencies and by the various installation standards, such as NFPA 13 and FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 2-0.
Most of these counterfeit items for automatic sprinklers occur in Asia, Middle East and Europe, though they can be found worldwide. The following are current examples of well-known automatic sprinkler manufacturers and their authentic models that have been counterfeited:
- Tyco International
- Upright model TY3151 head
- Pendent model TY3251 head
- Horizontal sidewall PS007 head
- Upright and pendent model T-ZSTZ-15 head
- Horizontal sidewall fire sprinkler (model number not on frame)
- Nanjing Fire Protection Technology Co. Ltd.
- Pendent model NX005 head
- Globe Fire Sprinkler
- Upright model TY3151 head
- Horizontal sidewall models GL5626 and GL5676 heads
- Upright models GL5651 and GL5661 heads
- Pendent model GL5651 head
- Concealed pendent model GL5681 head
- Viking Group Inc.
- Upright model VK100 head
- Kidde Fire Protection (dba Angus or GW Sprinkler)
- Angus model S K5.6
In addition, there are heads out there of unknown manufacturer and model, being marked as UL Listed and/or FM Approved.
Differences between authentic and counterfeit automatic sprinklers vary between manufacturers and their model(s). Please contact Risk Logic Inc. if you suspect that your fire protection system(s) has counterfeit equipment and need further help identifying those components that are authentic from those that are counterfeit.