Florida Fire State Practice Exam

Which type of sprinkler head is equipped with a plunger?

1. Bulb sprinkler

2. Chemical pellet

3. Wet pipe sprinkler

4. Deluge sprinkler

The correct answer is: Chemical pellet

The correct choice is the type of sprinkler head that utilizes a plunger mechanism, which is the chemical pellet sprinkler. This sprinkler head is specifically designed to respond to the presence of heat and is usually found in systems that protect against specific hazards, such as those involving combustible materials. In this type of sprinkler, the plunger acts as a sealing device that holds back a specific agent until a predetermined temperature is reached. At that point, the heat causes a chemical pellet to melt, releasing the plunger and allowing the extinguishing agent to flow freely, effectively dousing the flames. This mechanism is vital in ensuring that the fire suppression agent is only released when it is most needed. The other types of sprinkler heads mentioned do not utilize a plunger mechanism. For instance, bulb sprinklers are equipped with glass bulbs filled with a liquid that expands when heated, breaking the bulb to release water; wet pipe sprinklers maintain water in the piping, which is immediately available for activation without the need for a plunger. Deluge sprinklers are designed to release large amounts of water over an area, typically activated by a detection system rather than an individual device, and rely on a different mechanism altogether.