Reliable RFC43 User manual

The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., 103 Fairview Park Drive, Elmsford, New York 10523
Bulletin 006 Rev. E
Bulletin 006 Rev. E
Model RFC43 (SIN RA0612)
Model RFC49 (SIN RA0616)
Residential Flat Concealed
Sprinklers
A Residential Flat Concealed
Sprinkler engineered for a minimum
design density of 0.05 gpm/ft2with
low GPM requirements.
Features
Very low water flow requirements.
½” (13mm) Total adjustment.
Thread-On/Thread-Off or Push-On/Thread
Off cover attachment option.
Smooth aesthetic ceiling profile.
Available in brass, chrome and black plated
or painted finishes.
Listings & Approval
Listed by Underwriters Laboratories, and
certified by UL for Canada (cULus)
NYC MEA 258-93-E
UL Listing Categories
Residential Automatic Sprinklers
UL Guide Number
VKKW
Product Description
Model RFC43 and RFC49 Concealed Residential Sprin-
klers are fast response residential fusible solder link au-
tomatic sprinklers. Residential sprinklers differ from stan-
dard sprinklers primarily in their response time and water
distribution patterns.
Model RFC43 and RFC49 sprinklers discharge water
in a hemispherical pattern below the sprinkler deflector.
Residential distribution patterns are higher and generally
contain a finer droplet size than standard sprinkler pat-
terns.
The combination of speed of operation and high dis-
charge pattern required for residential sprinklers has dem-
onstrated, in fire testing, an ability for controlling residen-
tial fires, and thereby providing significant evacuation time
for occupants.
The RFC43 and RFC49 Sprinklers provide the best form
of fire protection by combining an attractive appearance
and ½” (13mm) of cover adjustment for ease of installa-
tion. The small diameter cover plate is easily and posi-
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
tively attached and blends into the ceiling, concealing the
most dependable fire protection available, an automatic
sprinkler system.
The RFC43 and RFC49 are UL Listed Residential Sprin-
klers to be installed in the residential portions of any occu-
pancy in accordance with NFPA 13, 13R, & 13D.
The RFC43 and RFC49 can reduce the need for precise
cutting of drop nipples. The threaded cover plate assem-
bly can be adjusted without tools to fit accurately against
the ceiling. The fire protection system need not be shut
down to adjust or remove the cover plate assembly.
Application and Installation
The RFC43 and RFC49, for residential installations, use a
165°F (74°C) fusible solder link in a tuning fork style sprin-
kler frame with a drop-down deflector. This assembly is re-
cessed into the ceiling and concealed by a flat cover plate.
The cover plate is attached to the skirt, using 135°F (57°C)
ordinary temperature classification solder. When the ceil-

2.
ing temperature rises, the solder holding the cover plate
releases the cover allowing the deflector to drop into posi-
tion and exposing the sprinkler inside to ceiling tempera-
ture. The subsequent operation of the solder link opens
the waterway and causes the deflector to drop into posi-
tion to distribute the discharging water in a hemispherical
pattern below the sprinkler deflector. Any adjustment of
thread engagement between the cover plate and cup will
assure that the drop-down deflector is properly located
below the ceiling. The residential distribution pattern con-
tains a finer droplet size than a standard sprinkler, and the
pattern produces significantly higher wall wetting.
After a 25/8inch diameter hole is cut in the ceiling, the
sprinkler is to be installed with the Model FC Wrench.
When installing a sprinkler, the wrench is first positioned
into the sprinkler/cup assembly and around the hexagonal
body of the sprinkler frame. The Wrench must bottom out
against the cup in order to ensure proper, safe installation.
The sprinkler is then tightened into the pipe fitting. When
inserting or removing the wrench from the sprinkler/cup
assembly, care should be taken to prevent damage to the
sprinkler. DO NOT WRENCH ON ANY OTHER PART OF
THE SPRINKLER/CUP ASSEMBLY. MODEL RFC43 AND
RFC49 CONCEALED SPRINKLERS MUST BE INSTALLED
ONLY WITH 135°F RATED COVERS.
Note: A leak tight ½” NPT (R1/2) sprinkler joint can be ob-
tained with a torque of 8-18 ft-lbs (10,8 - 24,4 N-m). Do not
tighten sprinklers over maximum recommended torque. It
may cause leakage or impairment of the sprinklers.
Cover assemblies provide up to 1/2” (13mm) of adjust-
ment. Turn the cover clockwise until the flange is in con-
tact with the ceiling. For the push-on/thread-off option, the
cover assembly is pushed onto the cup and final adjust-
ment is made by turning the cover clockwise until the skirt
flange makes full contact with the ceiling. Cover removal
requires turning in the counter-clockwise direction.
In ceilings that have a plenum space above the sprinkler,
the plenum space may have neutral or negative pressur-
ization but must not be positively pressurized. Inspect all
sprinklers after installation to ensure that the gap between
the cover plate and ceiling and the 4 slots in the cup are
all open and free from any air flow impediment.
Temperature Rating
Sprinkler Cover Plate Max. Ambient Temp.
165°F/74°C 135°F/57°C 100°F/38°C
Installation Data: RFC43 (SIN RA0612)
Thread
Size
inch (mm)
K Factor
Sprinkler
Spacing
ft. (m)
Maximum
Distance to
Wall
ft. (m)
Minimum
Distance between
sprinklers
ft. (m)
Minimum Required
Sprinkler Discharge
Flow
gpm (Lpm)
Press.
psi (bar)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
4.3
4.3
4.3
4.3
4.3
12 x 12 (3.6x3.6)
14 x 14 (4.3x4.3)
16 x 16 (4.9x4.9)
18 x 18 (5.5x5.5)
20 x 20 (6.0x6.0)
6 (1.83)
7 (2.13)
8 (2.43)
9 (2.74)
10 (3.05)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
12 (45)
13 (49)
13 (49)
18 (68)
21 (79)
7.8 (0.54)
9.1 (0.63)
9.1 (0.63)
17.5 (1.21)
23.8 (1.64)
Note: 1 bar = 100 Kpa
Installation Data: RFC49 (RA0616)
Thread
Size
inch (mm)
K Factor
Sprinkler
Spacing
ft. (m)
Maximum
Distance to
Wall
ft. (m)
Minimum
Distance between
sprinklers
ft. (m)
Minimum Required
Sprinkler Discharge
Flow
gpm (Lpm)
Press.
psi (bar)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
½” (15mm)
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
4.9
12 x 12 (3.6x3.6)
14 x 14 (4.3x4.3)
16 x 16 (4.9x4.9)
18 x 18 (5.5x5.5)
20 x 20 (6.0x6.0)
6 (1.83)
7 (2.13)
8 (2.43)
9 (2.74)
10 (3.05)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
8 (2.43)
13 (49)
13 (49)
13 (49)
17 (64.3)
20 (75.7)
7.0 (0.48)
7.0 (0.48)
7.0 (0.48)
12.0 (0.83)
16.7 (1.14)
Note: 1 bar = 100 Kpa
FOR SLOPED CEILING APPLICATIONS SEE RASCO BULLETIN 035.

3.
Maintenance
Model RFC43 and RFC49 Concealed Sprinklers should
be inspected quarterly and the sprinkler system main-
tained in accordance with NFPA 25. Do not clean sprin-
klers with soap and water, ammonia or any other clean-
ing fluids. Remove dust by using a soft brush or gentle
vacuuming. Remove any sprinkler cover plate assembly
which has been painted (other than factory applied) or
damaged in any way. A stock of spare sprinklers should
be maintained to allow quick replacement of damaged or
operated sprinklers. Prior to installation, sprinklers should
be maintained in the original cartons and packaging until
used to minimize the potential for damage to sprinklers
that would cause improper operation or non-operation.
Model RFC43 and RFC49 Residential
Concealed Sprinkler Specification
Sprinklers shall be cULus Listed low flow residential con-
cealed sprinklers with drop-down deflector and adjust-
able flat cover plate engineered for a minimum design
density of 0.05 gpm/ft2. Sprinkler frame and deflector
shall be of bronze frame construction having a ½” NPT
thread. Thermal element shall consist of an approved
black-painted beryllium-nickel fusible solder link with
symmetric lever mechanism, maintaining a Teflon-coated
Belleville spring washer and machined brass cap water
seal assembly containing no plastic parts. Sprinkler
K-factor shall be nominal 4.3 (62.4), having a 7/16” orifice.
Temperature rating shall be Ordinary 165°F (74°C); cover
plate temperature rating to be 135°F (57°C). Cover plate
assembly shall consist of a brass cover plate and copper
alloy retainer flange allowing a ½” cover plate adjust-
ment. Any secure engagement between the cover plate
and the cup will assure that the drop-down deflector is
properly located below the ceiling. A plastic protective
cap shall be provided and factory installed inside the
sprinkler cup to protect the drop-down sprinkler deflec-
tor from damage, which could occur during construction
before the cover plate is installed. Standard cover fin-
ish: [Chrome] [White] [Specialty – specify]. Residential
concealed sprinklers shall be Reliable Model RFC43,
SIN RA0612 (Bulletin 006) or Model RFC49, SIN RA0616
(Bulletin 006).
Ordering Information
Specify:
Sprinkler Model
Cover Plate Finish
Thread-On or
Push-On Feature
1.
2.
3.
Cover Plate Finishes (1)
Standard Finishes
Chrome
White
Special Application
Finishes
Bright Brass
Black Plating
Black Paint
Off White
Satin Chrome
(1) Other colors and finishes avail-
able. Consult factory for details.
Note: Paint or any other coatings
applied over the factory finish will
void all approvals and warran-
ties.

The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
[phone] Sales Offices
[phone] Sales Fax
[phone] Corporate Offices
www.reliablesprinkler.com Internet Address
Manufactured by
Recycled
Paper
Revision lines indicate updated or new data.
EG. Printed in U.S.A 04/10 P/N 9999970261
The equipment presented in this bulletin is to be installed in accordance with the latest published Standards of the National Fire Protection Association, Factory
Mutual Research Corporation, or other similar organizations and also with the provisions of governmental codes or ordinances whenever applicable.
Productsmanufactured and distributed by Reliable have been protecting life and property for over 90 years, and are installed and serviced by the most highly
qualified and reputable sprinkler contractors located throughout the United States, Canada and foreign countries.
Automatic sprinklers
Flush automatic sprinklers
Recessed automatic sprinklers
Concealed automatic sprinklers
Adjustable automatic sprinklers
Dry automatic sprinklers
Intermediate level sprinklers
Open sprinklers
Spray nozzles
Alarm valves
Retarding chambers
Dry pipe valves
Accelerators for dry pipe valves
Mechanical sprinkler alarms
Electrical sprinkler alarm switches
Water flow detectors
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Deluge valves
Detector check valves
Check valves
Electrical system
Sprinkler emergency cabinets
Sprinkler wrenches
Sprinkler escutcheons and guards
Inspectors test connections
Sight drains
Ball drips and drum drips
Control valve seals
Air maintenance devices
Air compressors
Pressure gaugesIdentification signs
Fire department connection
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Reliable offers a wide selection of sprinkler components. Following are some of the many
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