For protected facilities having over 1000 sprinklers, how many spares should there be?

• A. 6
• B. 12
• C. 18
• D. 24

Answer: (D)

Spare sprinkler heads are kept to ensure quick, on-site replacements without delaying service or restoration of a fire protection system. For protected facilities with more than 1000 sprinklers, the standard requires a minimum of 24 spare heads. This quantity is chosen because larger systems can experience multiple head issues across different areas, and having 24 of the same type and rating as installed heads helps you swap in replacements promptly and reliably.

Remember, the spares must match the installed heads exactly (same type, temperature rating, and connection) and should be stored in a dry, accessible place, ready for immediate use. Smaller counts like 6, 12, or 18 aren’t enough for very large systems, which is why 24 is specified for facilities over 1000 sprinklers.