Products Description
Glass Bulb Sprinklers built for predictable first response
A K5.6 (K80) standard response sprinkler platform available in Upright, Pendent and Horizontal Sidewall configurations - engineered for consistent thermal sensitivity and verified under FM's approval program.
K5.6 K Factor (K80)
5mm Glass Bulb
R½" ·½" NPT Thread
68°C 155°F Rating
Product overview
This series covers the three installation orientations most commonly specified across commercial and light-industrial occupancies: Upright, for exposed piping below the deflector; Pendent, for suspended ceilings and finished spaces; and Horizontal Sidewall, for corridors, hotel rooms and rooms where ceiling-mounted heads are impractical.
All three share the same K5.6 (K80) discharge characteristic and 5mm frangible glass bulb, so a project can standardize on one hydraulic calculation basis while mixing orientations room by room. Frames are chrome plated brass; deflectors are offered in chrome, copper or stainless finishes depending on the model, so the visible hardware can be matched to the room it protects.
Every head in this series is manufactured to NONFIR's standard tolerances and carries FM approval, with a Sprinkler Identification Number (SIN) unique to each orientation for traceable specification and submittal documentation.
5mm glass bulb, red-fill, rated 68°C / 155°F for ordinary hazard applications
Chrome plated brass frame across all three orientations for corrosion resistance
Dual thread option - R½" or ½" NPT - for metric or imperial pipe systems
FM Approved, with orientation-specific SIN for submittal and inspection records
Deflector finish options include chrome, copper and stainless steel plating
Configurations & specifications
Deflector faces up · exposed piping
Upright Sprinkler
Installed on top of the branch line with the deflector directed upward, the Upright is the standard choice wherever piping runs exposed - warehouses, parking structures, plant rooms and back-of-house areas. The upward-facing deflector spreads water in a hemispherical pattern below the frame, and is the natural fit for spaces without a finished ceiling.
| K Factor | K=5.6 (K80) |
| Thread Size | R½" · ½" NPT |
| Glass Bulb Diameter | 5mm |
| Frame Finish | Chrome Plated, Brass |
| Deflector Finish | Chrome Plated, Copper |
| Certificate | FM |
| SIN | NR3151 |
Deflector faces down · suspended ceiling
Pendent Sprinkler
The Pendent hangs below the branch line with the deflector facing down, delivering a downward umbrella spray suited to finished, occupied spaces - offices, retail floors, hotel corridors and classrooms. It is typically paired with a concealed or recessed escutcheon where ceiling aesthetics matter, and is available in the widest range of deflector finishes in this series.
| K Factor | K=5.6 (K80) |
| Thread Size | R½" · ½" NPT |
| Glass Bulb Diameter | 5mm |
| Frame Finish | Chrome Plated, Brass |
| Deflector Finish | Chrome Plated, Copper Plated, Stainless Steel |
| Certificate | FM |
| SIN | NR3251 |
Deflector projects sideways · wall mounted
Horizontal Sidewall Sprinkler
Mounted near the ceiling line on a wall rather than overhead, the Horizontal Sidewall throws its pattern out across the room instead of straight down. It is the standard solution for hotel guest rooms, dormitories and small offices where running branch piping across the ceiling is impractical, keeping the visible hardware to a single low-profile head on the wall.
| K Factor | K=5.6 (K80) |
| Thread Size | R½" · ½" NPT |
| Glass Bulb Diameter | 5mm |
| Frame Finish | Chrome Plated, Brass |
| Deflector Finish | Chrome Plated, Copper |
| Certificate | FM |
| SIN | NR3351 |
Reading the spec sheet
K Factor
K5.6 (K80) describes the sprinkler's discharge coefficient - the relationship between water pressure and flow rate. It is the figure hydraulic engineers use to size pipe runs and confirm a design meets required density, and it is identical across all three orientations in this series.
5mm Glass Bulb
Each head is held closed by a liquid-filled glass bulb. Heat from a fire expands the liquid until the bulb shatters at its rated temperature, releasing the cap and allowing water to flow - a standard response bulb sized for consistent, well-characterized activation.
SIN & Traceability
The Sprinkler Identification Number is unique to each orientation and printed on the deflector arm. It ties an installed head back to its FM approval listing, simplifying inspection, testing and submittal paperwork over the life of the system.
FM Approved across the full series. Upright, Pendent and Horizontal Sidewall models are each independently listed under their own SIN, so a project can specify all three orientations from one manufacturer without gaps in approval coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Which orientation should I specify for a given room?
A: Choose Upright for exposed piping with no finished ceiling, Pendent for rooms with a suspended or finished ceiling, and Horizontal Sidewall where running overhead branch lines isn't practical - most commonly hotel and dormitory rooms. All three share the same K5.6 hydraulics, so mixing orientations on one project doesn't complicate the calculation.
Q: Is the thread compatible with both metric and imperial pipe?
A: Yes. Each head is machined with a dual R½"·½" NPT thread, so it installs directly on either ISO/BSP or NPT branch fittings without an adapter.
Q: What does the 5mm bulb and 68°C/155°F rating mean for activation?
A: The bulb is a standard response type: it activates once the surrounding air reaches its rated temperature, here 68°C (155°F) - the most common rating for ordinary hazard occupancies such as offices, retail and hotels. Other temperature ratings are available on request for higher-heat environments.
Q: Can I get a deflector finish that isn't chrome?
A: The Pendent model is available in chrome plated, copper plated or stainless steel deflector finishes; Upright and Horizontal Sidewall are offered in chrome plated or copper. Finish is independent of the FM approval and SIN.
Q: How do I reference these products in a submittal package?
A: Cite the SIN for the specific orientation - NR3151 (Upright), NR3251 (Pendent) or NR3351 (Horizontal Sidewall) - along with the K5.6 (K80) rating and FM approval. NONFIR can supply the corresponding FM approval documentation on request.
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Our address
No.8, Yuanfeng Road, Meiyuan Village, Kangmei Town, Nan'An City, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China
Phone Number
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