Fusible Link vs Glass Bulb Sprinklers: Key Differences
When it’s a question of your fire safety, nothing is insignificant. Even the smallest things may play a crucial role when it comes to fire protection. At first sight you might not tell whether you look at fusible link sprinkler heads or glass bulb sprinklers. Though their performance during emergencies differs a lot. Today we are going to break down what sprinkler heads will suit your needs better and how to tell the difference between them. What is a Fusible Link Sprinkler Head? Let’s start from the beginning: what is a fusible link sprinkler head? As any other type of fusible sprinkler head, it activates when a temperature in the room reaches a certain level. Inside these heads there are two metal components which are joined by a fusible link. This link is a heat-sensitive alloy and it melts when the surrounding temperature is around 135°F—260°F. Fusible link fire sprinkler heads are a popular choice among those who need an enhanced protection against vibrations and physical damage. Such systems have a rugged design, so they are widely utilized in industrial and commercial settings. What is a Glass Bulb Sprinkler Head? Now we know about fusible link sprinklers, let’s move on to the glass bulb sprinkler. You can call this system a frangible bulb sprinkler head system as well. This type of head has a small sealed glass bulb with a colored liquid which is the main part of this head. The fluid expands because of the heat and that causes the glass to shatter—hence the term frangible—triggering the sprinkler to release water. The color is a marker for the temperature that needs to be reached for a glass shatter., red for 155°F, orange-175°F, green-200°F, blue—260°F. This colorful design makes a frangible bulb sprinkler head visually appealing, so its easy to integrate into modern interiors. They are less intrusive and can be hidden more effectively behind ceiling tiles or decorative covers. Response Time: Which One Activates Faster? When it comes to speed, glass bulb sprinklers generally have a slight edge. The frangible bulb sprinkler head has a faster thermal response because the glass bulb has less thermal mass compared to the solid metal fusible link. This allows it to react more quickly to rising temperatures. However, the difference in response time may be minimal in practical situations and largely depends on system design and installation. Pros and Cons of Each Sprinkler Head Type Feature Fusible Link Sprinkler Head Glass Bulb Sprinkler Head Response Time Moderate Faster Durability Highly durable Less impact-resistant Aesthetic Design Industrial Sleek and discreet Maintenance Low maintenance Slightly more fragile Cost Often more cost-effective Slightly more expensive Installation Environment Industrial, warehouses Offices, hotels, residential Fusible Link Sprinkler Pros: Fusible Link Sprinkler Cons: Glass Bulb Sprinkler Pros: Glass Bulb Sprinkler Cons: Best Use Cases for Fusible Link vs Glass Bulb Sprinkler Heads To make a right choice between fusible link sprinkler and frangible bulb sprinkler, define your needs. Here is our advice on which system you might prefer depending on your business: Best for Fusible Link Fire Sprinkler Heads: Best for Frangible Bulb Sprinkler Heads: At FirePro Tech we are keen to help you choose the best system for your business. Whether you think about a fusible sprinkler head or a glass bulb sprinkler, we are experts in both. We are a trusted fire sprinkler contractor in CA, so we can ensure the system is installed correctly and meets all safety codes. Feel safe and protected with the services we provide by calling us at (818) 860-0166. Check our Facebook and Instagram pages for fire protection content trends.