Antifreezes are provided for deployment in wet sprinkler systems located in cold environments. The antifreezes allow for the wet sprinkler system to be actuated under temperatures below 32? F. Wet sprinklers, sprinkler systems, methods of providing for the control, suppression and/or extinguishment of a fire that occur in a cold environment, and methods of preventing wet sprinklers from freezing also are provided. The sprinklers, sprinkler systems and methods can be used in residential, commercial and storage settings.

A fire sprinkler head (12) has a valve (42) with an X-brace latch (54), and includes a flexible conduit (14). A sprinkler nozzle (16) is secured to a first end of the flexible conduit (14). The sprinkler nozzle (16) includes a first fitting (28), a sprinkler orifice (20) and fusible element (22). A second fitting (40) is secured to the second end of the flexible conduit (14) and includes the valve (42). The valve (42) has a valve element (44) which is moveable from a latched position to an unlatched position. A flexible link (56) extends from the sprinkler nozzle (16) to the X-brace valve latch (54). Breaking of the fusible element (22) releases the flexible link (56) to move from the latched position to the unlatched position, releasing the valve (42) for flow there-through.

A dry sprinkler assembly capable of providing fire suppression protection, including early suppression fast response protection and storage protection of a commodity having a nominal storage height of at least 20 feet beneath a ceiling of with a maximum nominal 40 foot ceiling height. The dry sprinkler assembly includes an internal passageway and an outlet defining a nominal K-factor of at least 16.8 GPM/PSI12. Embodiments of the sprinkler assembly include a deflector having a plurality of tines radially disposed about a central portion to define slots therebetween. Embodiments of the deflector define a non-planar deflecting member and a member with a non-circular perimeter. Installation of the sprinkler assembly provides for a insulation sealing assembly having a insulation ring, planar insert member and a surrounding housing.

A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.

A dry sprinkler has a casing tube having an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. When the sprinkler is in a non-actuated state, an inlet seal assembly operatively seals the inlet orifice and an outlet seat assembly operatively seals the outlet orifice. A translating member extends through the casing tube between an inlet and an outlet. The translating member axially translates from a first position, in which the translating member retains the inlet seal assembly in a sealed state, to a second position, in which the translating member releases the inlet seal assembly, toward the outlet when the outlet seat assembly is released. The sprinkler has a nominal K-factor greater than 17 gpm/(psi).sup.1/2. A difference between a cross-sectional area of the casing tube and a cross-sectional area bounded by an outer perimeter of the translating member is more than 30% of the cross-sectional area of the casing tube.

Firefighting system 2, comprising a pressure-resistant extinguishing agent container 4, and a heating means arranged in or on the extinguishing agent container. The operational readiness is enhanced in that the heating means has at least two heating circuits which can be connected independently of one another.

An antifreeze is provided for deployment in wet sprinkler systems located in cold environments. The antifreezes allows for the wet sprinkler system to be actuated under temperatures below 32 F. Wet sprinklers, methods of preventing wet sprinklers from freezing and methods of extinguishing fires also are provided.

A fire sprinkler head has a valve with an X-brace latch, and includes a flexible conduit. A sprinkler nozzle is secured to a first end of the flexible conduit. The sprinkler nozzle includes a first fitting, a sprinkler orifice and fusible element. A second fitting is secured to the second end of the flexible conduit and includes the valve. The valve has a valve element which is moveable from a latched position to an unlatched position. A flexible link extends from the sprinkler nozzle to the X-brace valve latch. Breaking of the fusible element releases the flexible link to move from the latched position to the unlatched position, releasing the valve for flow there-through.

An antifreeze fire protection sprinkler system is provided including a water supply and a water distribution pipe system having a plurality of segments disposed in a potentially freezing environment and having a check valve and a plurality of fire protection sprinklers disposed in each segment wherein the plurality of fire protection sprinklers are designed to limit the atomization of the antifreeze solution. A pressure regulating device is disposed in the water distribution pipe system for limiting a maximum pressure of water supplied to the water distribution pipe system.

A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.