Sprinklers installed beneath skylights must be which rating?

Sprinklers installed beneath skylights must be which rating?

• A. Ordinary rated
• B. High temperature rated
• C. Intermediate rated
• D. Low temperature rated

Answer: (C)

Exposure to solar heat from skylights can raise the ambient temperature around the sprinkler. To prevent premature activation from that extra heat, sprinklers under skylights are chosen with a higher temperature rating. The intermediate rating sits between ordinary and high, providing enough resistance to solar heat while still reacting promptly in a real fire when temperatures rise above the rating. Ordinary would be too sensitive to the sun, and a high rating would be more conservative than necessary for typical residential fires. So the best choice is an intermediate rated sprinkler.

Exposure to solar heat from skylights can raise the ambient temperature around the sprinkler. To prevent premature activation from that extra heat, sprinklers under skylights are chosen with a higher temperature rating. The intermediate rating sits between ordinary and high, providing enough resistance to solar heat while still reacting promptly in a real fire when temperatures rise above the rating. Ordinary would be too sensitive to the sun, and a high rating would be more conservative than necessary for typical residential fires. So the best choice is an intermediate rated sprinkler.