ISO 6182-1:2004

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 6182-1
Second edition
2004-02-01
Fire protection — Automatic sprinkler
systems —
Part 1:
Requirements and test methods for
sprinklers
Protection contre l'incendie — Systèmes d'extinction automatiques
du type sprinkler —
Partie 1: Prescriptions et méthodes d'essai des sprinklers

Reference number
©
ISO 2004
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.

©  ISO 2004
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword. v
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 1
3.1 General. 1
3.2 Types of sprinkler according to type of heat-responsive element . 2
3.3 Types of sprinkler according to type of water distribution . 3
3.4 Types of sprinkler according to position . 3
3.5 Special types of sprinkler. 3
3.6 Types of sprinkler according to sprinkler sensitivity . 4
4 Product consistency. 5
4.1 Quality control programme. 5
4.2 Leak resistance testing . 5
5 Product assembly . 6
6 Requirements . 6
6.1 Dimensions. 6
6.2 Nominal operating temperature (see 7.7.1) . 6
6.3 Operating temperature (see 7.7.1) . 7
6.4 Water flow and distribution. 8
6.5 Function (see 7.6). 8
6.6 Service load and strength of sprinkler body (see 7.4) . 8
6.7 Strength of heat-responsive element (see 7.10) . 9
6.8 Leak resistance and hydrostatic strength (see 7.5) . 10
6.9 Heat exposure (see 7.8) . 10
6.10 Thermal shock (see 7.9). 10
6.11 Corrosion . 10
6.12 Coated sprinklers (see 7.8.3) . 11
6.13 Water hammer (see 7.16). 11
6.14 Dynamic heating (see 7.7.2) . 11
6.15 Resistance to heat (see 7.15) . 12
6.16 Resistance to vibration (see 7.17) . 12
6.17 Resistance to impact (see 7.18). 12
6.18 Crib fire performance (see 7.19) . 12
6.19 Lateral discharge (see 7.20) . 12
6.20 Thirty-day leakage resistance (see 7.21) . 12
6.21 Vacuum resistance (see 7.22) . 13
6.22 Water shield angle of protection (see 7.23). 13
6.23 Water shield rotation (see 7.24) . 13
6.24 Thermal response of concealed, flush and recessed sprinklers (see 7.25). 13
6.25 Operational cycling of on/off sprinklers (see 7.26). 14
6.26 Piled stock fire test for on/off sprinklers (see 7.27). 15
6.27 High temperature exposure for on/off sprinklers (see 7.28). 15
6.28 Resistance to low temperatures (see 7.29). 15
7 Test methods. 15
7.1 General. 15
7.2 Preliminary examination. 15
7.3 Visual examination. 16
7.4 Service load and body strength test (see 6.6). 18
7.5 Leak resistance and hydrostatic strength test (see 6.8) . 18
7.6 Functional test (see 6.5.1).18
7.7 Operating temperature test (see 6.3).20
7.8 Heat exposure test (see 6.9) .26
7.9 Thermal shock test for glass bulb sprinklers (see 6.10) .27
7.10 Strength test for release elements (see 6.7) .27
7.11 Water flow test (see 6.4.1).27
7.12 Water distribution tests (see 6.4.2).28
7.13 Corrosion tests (see 6.11).37
7.14 Tests for sprinkler coatings .39
7.15 Heat-resistance test (see 6.15) .39
7.16 Water-hammer test (see 6.13).39
7.17 Vibration test (see 6.16) .39
7.18 Impact test (see 6.17) .40
7.19 Crib fire test (see 6.18) .42
7.20 Lateral discharge test (see 6.19).46
7.21 Thirty-day leakage test (see 6.20) .46
7.22 Vacuum test (see 6.21).46
7.23 Water shield angle of protection (see 6.22) .46
7.24 Water shield rotation test (see 6.23).46
7.25 Thermal response test for concealed, flush and recessed sprinklers (see 6.24) .47
7.26 Operational cycling of an on/off sprinkler (see 6.25).51
7.27 Piled-stock fire test for on/off sprinklers (see 6.5.3 and 6.26) .52
7.28 High temperature exposure for on/off sprinklers (see 6.27) .55
7.29 Freezer test (see 6.28) .55
8 Marking.55
8.1 Sprinklers .55
8.2 Sprinkler housings and concealed sprinkler cover plates .56
Annex A (informative) Analysis of the strength test for release elements .57
Annex B (informative) Tolerance limit calculations method .58
Annex C (informative) Sprinkler response — Sample calculations.61
Annex D (normative) Tolerances.63
Annex E (informative) Thermal response — Sample calculations .64

iv © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 6182-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 21, Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting,
Subcommittee SC 5, Fixed firefighting systems using water.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 6182-1:1993), which has been technically
revised.
ISO 6182 consists of the following parts, under the general title Fire protection — Automatic sprinkler systems:
 Part 1: Requirements and test methods for sprinklers
 Part 2: Requirements and test methods for wet alarm valves, retard chambers and water motor alarms
 Part 3: Requirements and test methods for dry pipe valves
 Part 4: Requirements and test methods for quick-opening devices
 Part 5: Requirements and test methods for deluge valves
 Part 7: Requirements and test methods for early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers
 Part 9: Requirements and test methods for water mist nozzles
 Part 10: Requirements and test methods for domestic sprinklers
 Part 11: Requirements and test methods for pipe hangers

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 6182-1:2004(E)

Fire protection — Automatic sprinkler systems —
Part 1:
Requirements and test methods for sprinklers
1 Scope
This part of ISO 6182 specifies performance and marking requirements and test methods for conventional,
spray, flat spray and sidewall sprinklers. It is not applicable to sprinklers having multiple orifices.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 7-1:1982, Pipe threads where pressure-tight joints are made on the threads — Part 1: Dimensions,
tolerances and designation
ISO 49, Malleable cast iron fittings threaded to ISO 7-1
ISO 65, Carbon steel tubes suitable for screwing in accordance with ISO 7-1
PPP-B-640D:1969, Federal Specification for Boxes, Fiberboard, Corrugated, Triple-wall
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 General
3.1.1
sprinkler
thermosensitive device designed to react at a predetermined temperature by automatically releasing a stream
of water and distributing it in a specified pattern and quantity over a designated area
3.1.2
conductivity factor
C
measure of the conductance between the sprinkler's heat-responsive element and the fitting
0,5
NOTE The conductivity factor is expressed in units of (m/s) .
3.1.3
response time index
RTI
measure of sprinkler sensitivity
RTI = t u
where
t is equal to the time constant, expressed in seconds, of the heat-responsive element;
u is the gas velocity, expressed in metres per second
0,5
NOTE 1 The response time index is expressed in units of (m◊s) .
NOTE 2 RTI can be used in combination with the conductivity factor (C) to predict the response of a sprinkler in fire
environments defined in terms of gas temperature and velocity versus time.
3.1.4
standard orientation
orientation that produces the shortest response time with the axis of the sprinkler inlet perpendicular to the air
flow
NOTE In the case of symmetrical heat-responsive elements, standard orientation is with the air flow perpendicular to
both the axis of the waterway and the plane of the frame arms; in the case of non-symmetrical heat-responsive elements,
it is with the air flow perpendicular to both the waterway axis and the plane of the frame arms which produces the shortest
response time.
3.1.5
worst-case orientation
〈response〉 orientation that produces the longest response time with the axis of the sprinkler inlet
perpendicular to the air flow
3.1.6
assembly load
force exerted on the sprinkler body at 0 MPa (0 bar) hydraulic pressure at the inlet
3.1.7
design load
force exerted on the release element at the service load of the sprinkler
3.1.8
service load
combined force exerted on the sprinkler body by the assembly load of the sprinkler and the equivalent force of
a 1,2 MPa (12 bar) hydraulic pressure of the inlet
3.1.9
average design strength
〈〈〈〈axial〉〉〉〉 glass bulb supplier's specified and assured lowest average design strength of any batch of 50 bulbs
3.2 Types of sprinkler according to type of heat-responsive element
3.2.1
fusible element sprinkler
sprinkler that opens under the influence of heat by the melting of a component
3.2.2
glass bulb sprinkler
sprinkler that opens under the influence of heat by the bursting of the glass bulb through pressure resulting
from expansion of the fluid enclosed therein
2 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

3.3 Types of sprinkler according to type of water distribution
3.3.1
conventional sprinkler
C
sprinkler giving spherical water distribution directed downward and at the ceiling for a definite protection area
such that 40 % to 60 % of the total water flow is initially directed downward
3.3.2
spray sprinkler
S
sprinkler giving paraboloid water distribution directed downward for a definite protection area such that 80 %
to 100 % of the total water flow is initially directed downward
3.3.3
flat spray sprinkler
F
sprinkler giving paraboloid water distribution directed downward for a definite protection area, such that 60 %
to 80 % of the total water flow is initially directed downward
3.3.4
sidewall sprinkler
W
sprinkler giving a one-sided (half-paraboloid) water distribution over a definite protection area
3.4 Types of sprinkler according to position
3.4.1
upright sprinkler
U
sprinkler arranged such that the water stream is directed upwards against the distribution plate
3.4.2
pendent sprinkler
P
sprinkler arranged such that the water stream is directed downwards against the distribution plate
3.4.3
horizontal sprinkler
H
sprinkler arranged such that the water stream is directed horizontally against the distribution plate
3.5 Special types of sprinkler
3.5.1
dry upright sprinkler
unit comprising an upright installed sprinkler mounted at the outlet of a special riser extension with a seal at
the inlet end that prevents water from entering the riser until it is released by operation of the sprinkler
3.5.2
dry pendent sprinkler
unit comprising a pendent installed sprinkler mounted at the outlet of a special drop extension with a seal at
the inlet end that prevents water from entering the drop until it is released by operation of the sprinkler
3.5.3
flush sprinkler
sprinkler of which all or part of the body, including the shank thread, is mounted above the lower plane of the
ceiling, but part or all of whose heat-responsive element is below the lower plane of the ceiling
3.5.4
recessed sprinkler
sprinkler of which all or part of the body, other than the shank thread, is mounted within recessed housing
3.5.5
concealed sprinkler
recessed sprinkler having a cover plate
3.5.6
on/off sprinkler
O/O
sprinkler that repeatedly opens under the influence of heat and closes if a heat-sensitive element cools to a
predetermined temperature
3.5.7
multiple-orifice pendent sprinkler
MO
sprinkler having two or more outlet orifices arranged to distribute the water discharge downward in a specified
pattern and quantity for a definite protection area
3.5.8
coated sprinkler
sprinkler that has a factory-applied coating for corrosion protection
3.5.9
sprinkler with water shield
sprinkler, intended for use in racks or beneath open grating, which is provided with a water shield mounted
above the heat-responsive element to protect it from water discharged by sprinklers at higher elevations
3.5.10
extended-coverage sprinkler
EC
sprinkler having a specified area of coverage larger than that of a conventional, spray, flat spray or sidewall
sprinkler
3.6 Types of sprinkler according to sprinkler sensitivity
3.6.1
fast-response sprinkler
0,5 0,5
sprinkler having a response time index (RTI) u 50 (m⋅s) and a conductivity factor (C) of u 1,0 (m/s)
See Figure 1.
3.6.2
special-response sprinkler
0,5 0,5
sprinkler having an average response time index (RTI) of between 50 (m⋅s) and 80 (m⋅s) and a
0,5
conductivity (C) factor of u 1,0 (m/s)
See Figure 1.
3.6.3
standard-response sprinkler
0,5 0,5
sprinkler having a response time index (RTI) of between 80 (m⋅s) and 350 (m⋅s) and a conductivity (C)
0,5
factor not exceeding 2,0 (m/s)
See Figure 1.
4 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

Key
1 standard-response sprinklers
2 special-response sprinklers
3 fast-response sprinklers
Figure 1 — RTI and C limits for standard orientation
4 Product consistency
4.1 Quality control programme
It shall be the responsibility of the manufacturer to implement a quality control programme to ensure that
production continuously meets the requirements of this part of ISO 6182 in the same manner as the originally
tested samples.
4.2 Leak resistance testing
Every manufactured sprinkler shall pass a leak resistance test equivalent to a hydrostatic pressure of at least
3 MPa (30 bar) for at least 2 s.
5 Product assembly
All sprinklers shall be designed and manufactured such that they cannot be readily adjusted, dismantled or
reassembled.
6 Requirements
6.1 Dimensions
Sprinkler dimensions shall be in accordance with Table 1.
Table 1 — Dimensional requirements
Nominal diameter of orifice Nominal thread size
mm inches
10 3/8
15 1/2
20 3/4
6.1.1 Orifice size
6.1.1.1 All sprinklers shall be constructed so that a sphere of diameter 8 mm can pass through each
water passage in the sprinkler, with the exceptions specified in 6.1.1.2.
6.1.1.2 In some countries, sprinklers having orifices of nominal diameters 6 mm, 8 mm or 9 mm, or
sprinklers having multiple water passages, are acceptable.
In those countries where 6 mm or 8 mm orifice automatic sprinklers are acceptable, and the sprinklers are
used together with a strainer in the system or in each sprinkler, a 5-mm sphere may be used for checking the
size of each water passage.
In those countries where sprinklers having multiple water passages are acceptable, and the sprinklers are
used together with a strainer in the system or in each sprinkler, a 3-mm sphere may be used for checking the
size of each water passage.
6.1.2 Nominal thread sizes
6.1.2.1 Nominal thread sizes shall be suitable for fittings threaded in accordance with ISO 7-1. The
dimensions of all threaded connections should conform to International Standards where applied or shall
conform to national standards where International Standards are not applicable
6.1.2.2 In some countries, the use of 1/2-in threads for sprinklers having orifices of nominal diameters
6 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm is acceptable.
6.1.2.3 Special sprinklers such as dry and flush sprinklers may have larger thread sizes.
6.2 Nominal operating temperature (see 7.7.1)
6.2.1 The nominal operating temperature of glass bulb sprinklers shall be in accordance with Table 2.
6.2.2 The nominal operating temperatures of all other sprinklers shall be specified in advance by the
manufacturer and verified in accordance with 6.3, and shall be determined according to 7.7.1. Nominal
operating temperature ranges for these sprinklers shall be in accordance with Table 2.
6 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

6.2.3 The nominal operating temperature to be marked on the sprinkler shall be that determined when the
sprinkler is tested according to 7.7.1, taking into account the requirement of 6.3.
Table 2 — Nominal operating temperatures
Glass bulb sprinklers
Nom. operating temperature
I Liquid colour code
°C
57 orange
68 red
79 yellow
93 green
107 green
121 blue
141 blue
163 mauve
182 mauve
204 black
227 black
260 black
343 black
Fusible element sprinklers
Nom. operating temperature range
I Yoke arm colour code
°C
57 to 77 uncoloured
80 to 107 white
121 to 149 blue
163 to 191 red
204 to 246 green
260 to 302 orange
320 to 343 orange
6.3 Operating temperature (see 7.7.1)
Sprinklers shall operate within a temperature range of
I ± (0,035I + 0,62) °C
where I is the nominal operating temperature.
6.4 Water flow and distribution
6.4.1 Flow constant (see 7.11)
The flow constant, K, for sprinklers is given by the formula:
q
K =
10 p
where
p is the pressure, expressed in megapascals;
q is the flow rate, expressed in litres per minute;
K-factor for sprinklers according to this part of ISO 6182 shall be in accordance with Table 3 when determined
by the test method given in 7.11.
Table 3 — Flow constant
Nominal diameter
K for dry
of orifice
K
sprinklers
mm
10 57 ± 3 57 ± 5
80 ± 4 80 ± 6
115 ± 6 115 ± 9
6.4.2 Water distribution (see 7.12)
To demonstrate the required coverage of the protected area allotted to it, the sprinkler shall pass the test
according to 7.12.
6.5 Function (see 7.6)
6.5.1 When tested in accordance with 7.6.1 to 7.6.5, the sprinkler shall open and, within 5 s of the release
of the heat-responsive element, shall operate satisfactorily in accordance with 6.4.1. Any lodgement of
released parts shall be cleared within 60 s of release of the heat-responsive element for standard response
sprinklers and within 10 s for special- and fast-response sprinklers; otherwise, the sprinkler shall then comply
with 6.4.2.
6.5.2 The deflector and its supporting parts shall not sustain significant damage as a result of the functional
test specified in 7.6.6 and shall be in accordance with 6.4.2.
NOTE In most instances, visual examination of the sprinkler will be sufficient to establish conformance with 6.5.1 and
6.5.2.
6.5.3 An on/off sprinkler shall switch between the fully off and fully on positions. No intermediate, partially
on, position is acceptable. After initial operation, leakage not exceeding 20 ml/min is acceptable in the off
position (see 7.27.10).
6.6 Service load and strength of sprinkler body (see 7.4)
6.6.1 The sprinkler body shall not show permanent elongation of more than 0,2 % between the load-bearing
points of the sprinkler body after being subjected to twice the service load as measured according to 7.4.
6.6.2 The manufacturer shall specify the average and the upper limit of the service load.
8 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

6.7 Strength of heat-responsive element (see 7.10)
6.7.1 When tested in accordance with 7.10.1, glass bulb elements shall
a) have an average design strength of at least six times the average service load, and
b) have a design strength lower tolerance limit (LTL) on the strength distribution curve of at least twice the
upper tolerance limit (UTL) of the service load distribution curve, based on calculations with a degree of
confidence (y) of 0,99 for 99 % of samples (P), based on normal or Gaussian distribution except where
other distribution can be shown to be more applicable owing to manufacturing of design factors (see
Figure 2).
6.7.2 A fusible heat-responsive element in the ordinary temperature range shall be designed to
a) sustain a load of 15 times its design load corresponding to the maximum service load measured
according to 7.4 for a period of 100 h when tested in accordance with 7.10.2.1, or
b) demonstrate the ability to sustain the design load when tested in accordance with 7.10.2.2.

Key
1 average service load
2 service load curve
3 UTL
4 LTL
5 average design strength
6 design strength curve
Figure 2 — Strength curve
6.8 Leak resistance and hydrostatic strength (see 7.5)
6.8.1 A sprinkler shall not show any sign of leakage when tested according to 7.5.1.
6.8.2 A sprinkler shall not rupture, operate or release any parts when tested according to 7.5.2.
6.9 Heat exposure (see 7.8)
6.9.1 Glass bulb sprinklers
There shall be no damage to the glass bulb element when the sprinkler is tested according to 7.8.1.
6.9.2 Uncoated sprinklers
Sprinklers shall withstand exposure to increased ambient temperature without evidence of weakness or failure
when tested according to 7.8.2.
6.9.3 Coated sprinklers
In addition to meeting the requirement of 6.9.2 in an uncoated version, coated sprinklers shall withstand
exposure to increased ambient temperatures without evidence of weakness or failure of the coating when
tested according to 7.8.3.
6.10 Thermal shock (see 7.9)
Glass bulb sprinklers shall not be damaged when tested according to 7.9. Proper operation shall not be
considered damage.
6.11 Corrosion
6.11.1 Stress corrosion (see 7.13.1)
When tested in accordance with 7.13.1, each sprinkler shall show no cracks, delaminations or failures which
could affect its ability to satisfy other requirements.
6.11.2 Sulfur dioxide corrosion (see 7.13.2)
Coated and uncoated sprinklers shall be resistant to sulfur dioxide saturated with water vapour when
conditioned in accordance with 7.13.2. Following exposure, the sprinklers shall be functionally tested at
0,035 MPa (0,35 bar) only in accordance with 6.5.1 and shall meet the dynamic heating requirements of
6.14.3 or 6.24 for concealed, flush or recessed sprinklers.
6.11.3 Salt spray corrosion (see 7.13.3)
Coated and uncoated sprinklers shall be resistant to salt spray when conditioned in accordance with 7.13.3.
Following exposure, the sprinklers shall be functionally tested at 0,035 MPa (0,35 bar) only in accordance with
6.5.1 and shall meet the dynamic heating requirements of 6.14.3 or 6.24 for concealed, flush or recessed
sprinklers.
6.11.4 Moist air exposure (see 7.13.4)
Sprinklers shall be resistant to moist air exposure when tested in accordance with 7.13.4. Following exposure,
the sprinklers shall be functionally tested at 0,035 MPa (0,35 bar) only in accordance with 6.5.1 and shall meet
the dynamic heating requirements of 6.14.3 or 6.24 for concealed, flush or recessed sprinklers.
10 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

6.12 Coated sprinklers (see 7.8.3)
6.12.1 Exposure to increased ambient temperature
In addition to meeting the requirement of 6.9.2 in an uncoated version, coated sprinklers shall withstand
exposure to increased ambient temperatures without evidence of weakness or failure of the coating when
tested by the method specified in 7.8.3.
6.12.2 Evaporation of wax and bitumen (see 7.14.1)
Waxes and bitumens used for coating sprinklers shall not contain volatile matter in quantities sufficient to
cause shrinkage, hardening, cracking or flaking of the applied coating. The loss in mass shall not exceed 5 %
of that of the original sample when tested according to 7.14.1.
6.12.3 Resistance to low temperatures (see 7.14.2)
All coatings used for sprinklers shall not crack or flake when subjected to low temperatures in accordance with
7.14.2.
6.12.4 Resistance to high temperature
Coated sprinklers shall meet the requirement of 6.9.3.
6.13 Water hammer (see 7.16)
Sprinklers shall not leak during or after the pressure surges described in 7.16. After being subjected to the test
according to 7.16, they shall show no signs of mechanical damage, shall meet the requirement of 6.8.1 and
shall operate when functionally tested to the requirements of 6.5.1 at a pressure of 0,035 MPa (0,35 bar) only.
6.14 Dynamic heating (see 7.7.2)
6.14.1 Standard orientation
Standard-, special- and fast-response sprinklers shall meet the RTI and C limits shown in Figure 1, when
tested in the standard orientation in accordance with 7.7.2. Worst-case orientation can usually be determined
by visual inspection. Maximum and minimum RTI values calculated using C for fast- and standard-response
sprinklers shall fall within the limits of the appropriate category shown in Figure 1. Special-response sprinklers
shall have an average RTI value, calculated using C, of between 50 and 80, with no value less than 40 or
more than 100.
6.14.2 Offset orientation
When tested at an angular offset in accordance with 7.7.2.1.1 to 7.7.2.1.4, each value of RTI, calculated
using C, shall not exceed 600 % or 250 % — whichever is less — of the average RTI in the standard
orientation.
6.14.3 Post-exposure RTI
After exposure to the corrosion test according to 6.11.2, 6.11.3 and 6.11.4, sprinklers shall be tested in the
standard orientation in accordance with 7.7.2.1 to determine the post-exposure RTI. None of the post-
exposure RTI value shall exceed the limits shown in Figure 1 for the appropriate category. In addition, the
average RTI value shall not exceed 130 % of the pre-exposure average value. All post-exposure RTI values
shall be calculated as in 7.7.2.3 using the pre-exposure conductivity factor (C).
6.15 Resistance to heat (see 7.15)
Open sprinklers shall be resistant to high temperatures when tested in accordance with 7.15. After exposure,
the sprinkler shall not show visual deformation or breakage.
6.16 Resistance to vibration (see 7.17)
Sprinklers shall be able to withstand the effects of vibration without deterioration when tested in accordance
with 7.17. After the vibration test of 7.17, sprinklers shall show no visible deterioration, shall meet the
requirement of 6.8.1 and shall operate when functionally tested to the requirements of 6.5.1 at a pressure of
0,035 MPa (0,35 bar) only.
6.17 Resistance to impact (see 7.18)
6.17.1 Conventional, spray, and water-shield sprinklers shall have the strength adequate to withstand
impacts associated with handling, transport and installation without deterioration of performance or reliability.
After the impact test of 7.18.1, these sprinklers shall show no fracture or deformation, shall meet the
requirement of 6.8.1 and shall operate when functionally tested to the requirements of 6.5.1 at a pressure of
0,035 MPa (0,35 bar) only.
6.17.2 The water shield of a water-shield sprinkler shall not shear off or bend sufficiently to impair sprinkler
function as a result of the impact test given in 7.18.2.
6.18 Crib fire performance (see 7.19)
6.18.1 All 15 mm and 20 mm nominal orifice sprinklers, except sidewall, flat spray and conventional
sprinklers, shall control crib fires when tested according to 7.19. For example, for dry type sprinklers, the
shortest length manufactured shall be used for this test.
6.18.2 The air temperature at the locations of the thermocouples shall be reduced to less than 275 °C above
ambient temperature within the first 5 min of water application.
6.18.3 The mean air temperature at the thermocouples shall not exceed 275 °C above ambient temperature
for any continuous three-minute period within the remaining test time.
6.18.4 The average temperature for the time interval between the time at which the ceiling temperature falls
below a temperature of 275 °C above initial ambient and the time at the end of the test shall be computed by
comparing the area under the curve determined by the recorded ceiling temperatures with the area beneath a
straight line drawn at the temperature point 275 °C above the initial ambient. The area beneath the curve of
the recorded ceiling temperatures shall be the lesser of the two areas.
6.18.5 The loss in mass of the crib shall not exceed 20 %.
6.19 Lateral discharge (see 7.20)
Upright and pendent spray sprinklers shall not prevent the operation of adjacent sprinklers when tested in
accordance with 7.20.
6.20 Thirty-day leakage resistance (see 7.21)
Sprinklers shall not leak or sustain distortion or other mechanical damage when subjected to 2 MPa (20 bar)
water pressure for 30 d. During this exposure and following exposure, the sprinklers shall satisfy the
requirements of 7.21.
12 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

6.21 Vacuum resistance (see 7.22)
Sprinklers shall not exhibit distortion, mechanical damage or leakage after being subjected to the test given in
7.22.
6.22 Water shield angle of protection (see 7.23)
Water shields shall provide an angle of protection of 45° or less for the heat-responsive element against direct
impingement or run-off of water from the shield caused by discharge from sprinklers at higher elevations (see
Figure 3). Compliance with this requirement shall be determined in accordance with 7.23.
6.23 Water shield rotation (see 7.24)
Rotation of the water shield shall not alter the sprinkler service load when evaluated in accordance with 7.24.

Key
1 water shield
2 angle of protection
Figure 3 — Angle of protection

6.24 Thermal response of concealed, flush and recessed sprinklers (see 7.25)
6.24.1 Concealed, flush and recessed sprinklers shall meet the requirements of either 6.24.2 or 6.24.3.
6.24.2 When tested in accordance with 7.25.1, concealed, flush, and recessed sprinklers shall operate such
that the mean response time of three samples tested at the noted test conditions does not exceed the
theoretical maximum response time calculated utilizing the following information:
a) 3 min, 51 s (3,85 min) for sprinklers having a temperature rating not exceeding 77 °C;
b) 3 min, 9 s (3,15 min) for sprinklers having a temperature rating of between 79 °C and 107 °C.
6.24.3 When tested in accordance with 7.25.2, concealed, flush and recessed sprinklers shall operate such
that the mean response time and unbiased standard deviation provide computed statistical tolerance limits
(see Annex B) with 95 % confidence that 99 % of the sprinklers tested do not exceed the following statistical
tolerance limits:
a) RTI and C values according to Table 4;
b) gas temperature and velocity according to Table 5 — for standard- and special-response, utilize test
conditions 1 to 9; for fast response, utilize test conditions 1 to 6;
c) upper permitted temperature limit of the sprinkler in accordance with 6.3;
d) ambient temperature during testing.
See Annex E for sample calculations.
Table 4 — Maximum permitted RTI and C combinations
Sprinkler response RTI C Offset angle
0,5
0,5
(m/s) °
(m⋅s)
Standard 350 1,0 0
Standard 250 2,0 0
Standard 600 5,0 15
Special 80 1,0 0
Special 200 2,5 20
Fast 50 0,8 0
Fast 30 1,0 0
Fast 125 2,0 25
Table 5 — Dynamic heating test apparatus conditions for concealed, flush and recessed sprinklers
Test condition Gas temperature Gas velocity Applied vacuum
a
°C m/s
mm Hg
1 128 1,0 0,007
2 128 2,6 0,007
3 128 3,5 0,007
4 197 1,0 0,010
5 197 2,6 0,010
6 197 3,5 0,010
7 290 1,0 0,013
8 290 2,6 0,013
9 290 3,5 0,013
a
Millimetres of mercury. Use of this unit is deprecated. 1 mm Hg = 133, 322 4 Pa.

6.25 Operational cycling of on/off sprinklers (see 7.26)
6.25.1 An on/off sprinkler cycle consists of operation from the closed position to the fully open position and
return to the closed position. It shall not be acceptable for an on/off sprinkler to remain in a partially open
position. Following 1 000 cycles of operation the sprinkler shall comply with 6.8.1, except that leakage not
exceeding 20 ml/min is acceptable.
6.25.2 An on/off sprinkler shall operate as intended for 1 000 cycles when tested according to 7.26.1, after
being immersed for 14 d in distilled water at a temperature of between 95 °C and 100 °C. Visual observation
is usually adequate for determining compliance.
14 © ISO 2004 – All rights reserved

6.25.3 An on/off sprinkler shall show no evidence of clogging when subjected to 1 000 cycles according to
7.26.1 and using water contaminated in accordance with 7.26.2. Immediately following completion of
1 000 cycles, the sprinkler shall comply with the requirement of 6.8.1, except that leakage not exceeding
20 ml/min is acceptable.
6.26 Piled stock fire test for on/off sprinklers (see 7.27)
When tested according to 7.27, an on/off sprinkler shall
a) limit the loss in mass of corrugated cartons (see 7.27.6 to 7.27.8), within 45 min of the start of the test, to
not more than 50 %,
b) cause the ceiling temperature of each thermocouple to be reduced to a value less than 295 °C above
ambient within 5 min after start of water discharge,
c) cause
1) the ceiling temperature of each thermocouple to not exceed 295 °C above ambient for more than
three consecutive minutes, and
2) the average temperature to not exceed 295 °C above ambient from the time the temperature initially
falls below 295 °C above ambient to the end of the test, and
d) not remain in an intermediate position, visual observation usually being adequate to determine
compliance.
6.27 High temperature exposure for on/off sprinklers (see 7.28
...