Temperature classifications range from ordinary which has a temperature rating of 135-170OF (57-77OC) to ultra-high which has a temperature rating of 650OF (343OC).
Ordinary temperature sprinklers permit for ceiling temperatures up to 100 F. Intermediate temperature sprinklers allow for ceiling temperatures up to 150 F. These ranges continue to increase up to ceiling temperatures of 625 F.
Sprinklers must detect a high enough temperature to activate—typically, temperatures of 135° F, 155° F, or 250° F (57° C, 68° C, or 121° C).
The hot air is pushed toward the ceiling, walls, or other spots where the sprinkler heads are located. When the air around them reaches a certain temperature – typically 135° F, 155° F, or 250° F (57° C, 68° C, or 121° C) – the liquid inside the bulb expands until the pressure causes the glass to break.
The liquid in the sprinkler head comes in a variety of colors, which indicates the temperature required to activate the head: Orange – 135° F. Red – 155° F. Yellow – 174° F.
Don't water everyday.
The more shallow your grass roots are, the less hearty it will be in hot weather. Instead water about two times per week for longer periods of time. The local lawn companies I have spoke with around my area (North Central Texas) recommend about 20-30 minutes per watering cycle twice a week.
It is ideal for watering your lawn about 1 inch of water for every single application per week. On average, it takes 30 minutes to disperse 0.5 inches of water. Therefore, you must water your lawn in hot weather three times per week, for about 30 minutes each, to get an inch of water on your lawn.
A common rule that is followed for obstructions within 18 inches of the sprinkler deflector is the “three times rule”. This requires sprinklers to be positioned away from obstructions a minimum or three times the maximum dimension of the obstruction.
It is dangerous to let your sprinkler system go unprepared in freezing temperatures — 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. If you live in a wintery climate, the best time to start thinking about winterizing your sprinkler system is when temperatures hover around 40 degrees.
Rest assured that while there's a small possibility of triggering a fire alarm by smoking or vaping, there's no chance of setting off the fire sprinklers. Contrary to popular belief, sprinkler heads are triggered by heat, not smoke or vapor.
In times of extreme heat, it is vital to water your lawn for about 30 to 45 minutes daily. Once the temperatures drop below ninety, you can cut back to watering three to four times a week, until that blissful thunderstorm comes and quenches your lawn's thirst!
Typically, most lawn irrigation periods during the summer should last between 25–30 minutes each. This amount of time depends on a lot of different factors though. As previously stated, each irrigation system or sprinkler can deliver different amounts of water and it's important to hit that 1 inch per week requirement.
Nothing should be in that area between the bottom of the sprinkler heads and the imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the ceiling that is 18 inches below. This is done to allow an even and unobstructed spray pattern from the sprinklers when triggered to extinguish the fire.
Standard spray sprinkler head with a blue bulb indicating a high release temperature.
Each colored inspection tag signifies the current status of a fire sprinkler system. Green tags are systems in good working order, while yellow and red tags indicate need for repair.
If it is found that there is significant buildup of foreign objects or scaling, it is recommended to conduct a more in depth Obstruction Investigation. If there is a significant amount of foreign material found during the obstruction investigation, there should be a flush of the sprinkler system.
Running multiple zones at once is usually not possible due water-pressure and flow limitations at residential properties. As with any standard irrigation controller, you can wire multiple solenoids/valves to the same zone output if you want.
You can operate 2 or 3 sprinklers at one time with 'Y's and extra hoses, depending on your water pressure. To run more than one sprinkler off the same faucet, attach a 'Y' to your faucet and run a hose to each sprinkler.
The most common reason that sprinklers failed to operate was the system being shut off at some point before the fire. One sprinkler is usually enough to control a fire. In 77 percent of the structure fires where sprinklers operated, only one operated. In 97 percent, five or fewer operated.
Watering on a hot summer afternoon is a horrible idea. The liquid will evaporate too quickly and may not reach your grass's roots, so heat and irrigation shouldn't go together. Instead, the best time to water grass during summer is in the morning. The ideal time for morning watering is before 9 AM.
If it's 70-80 degrees outside try watering 2-3 times a week. During the spring your lawn will be fairly easy to manage so you don't have to water all the time. In the blazing summer, when temperatures are between 90-100+, try watering 3-4 times a week.
It is often recommended that you water your lawn early in the morning, as early as 4 am and no later than 10 am. During extreme heat, watering should be done no later than 7 am.
During extremely hot weather (daytime temperatures above 90F and nighttime temperatures above 70F), try to water daily or every other day. In a 10x10-foot garden, this would mean giving your plants 8 to 9 gallons of water each day.
In general during hot summer months, you should be watering your lawn up to three times per week if there wasn't any recent rainfall. As a general rule of thumb, watering up to one inch deep each time you water your lawn is ideal.