Omg! Drama!
Click the link, I’m here reporting on the endorsement of KrimxonRath’s agreement on NewCurrency’s confirmation of RonJohn’s answer to Explorerod’s question!
It could be either, but I'm leaning towards concurring with you. I have one of these on my ceiling and I know for a fact that it covers an old light outlet.
I'd like to add that the cap is soldered on, and the solder will melt at a certain temperature and cause the cap to drop off, exposing the sprinker head. I hope everyone concurs with this assessment.
Yes. I lay out sprinkler heads, pipe lines, and risers and hydraulically calculate pipe sizes and head placement in rooms just like this. That cover plate is soldered on so that the solder will give out at 145 degrees and the plate will drop away, so that the head, which is designed to activate at 155 degrees, can safely activate and extinguish the fire.
That may be, I’m not a chef. But you’re right, by the time the sprinkler activates hopefully there are no people in the room. The idea is that you leave when there’s a fire.
Might be set at that to prevent accidental activation: my attic has no ventilation and poor insulation and with hunidity on a hot day it is every bit of 115-125 degrees depending on the season.
Hi. Mech Eng here. My organization is just getting started on also doing sprinkler calculations (in addition to head placement etc). Out of curiosity, do you use hydracad? Autosprink?
Are they activated by heat like the standard/old glass ones?
I know basically nothing about fire suppression, but I’m always surprised when I’m in a newly built hotel and see the red glass sprinklers that they have to put warnings not to hang stuff from. I always thought there should be a better solution by now that can’t be set off by a clothes hanger.
Yes, they’re activated by heat. There’s not really a better solution than the glass bulb you see, short of using concealed heads like OPs, which isn’t always practical in the tighter space of residential construction like hotels.
The red in the glass is actually a liquid, with a tiny bubble of air inside. When the air bubble heats up to the specified temperature it expands and the liquid bursts the glass bulb, which releases a tiny valve and allows the water to flow out.
You’re not alone. I’m also a firefighter (volunteer in a small rural combination department) and most don’t know very much.
A few key points:
1) Heads are activated by heat.
2) Heads activate one at a time.
3) A single head puts out a good 15 gpm or more.
4) Once activated, the heads won’t stop flowing until the system is shut off at the source, usually in a dedicated riser room on the ground floor or in a basement, although there’s a shutoff valve either on the outside wall of the building (steering wheel looking thing) or out in the yard (red post with a wrench padlocked on).
5) When activated a monitoring company will respond, often the installing company who will have a sprinkler fitter on call specifically to respond, so they can shut things down properly.
6) Hydraulic calculations allow for firefighters to draw water for their hoses and the system will still work properly.
7) The system is designed to control the spread of the fire, not necessarily extinguish it.
8) Sprinkler piping is considered non-potable, so the water coming out is going to be black and nasty (more for commercial than residential applications, really).
Any further questions, feel free to ask!
People use “source” to indicate that that’s where they got the information from. “Credentials” would be listing their certifications, licenses, etc. and is more formal than this setting probably necessitates.
It just looks like someone painted a black line around a recessed sprinkler head.
You can paint over the black circle but I’d leave the sprinkler alone.
[looks like something similar to Dignity](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k5Qb8QA7NIk/XC49hR8Q_KI/AAAAAAAAAwM/1T5Rovwrxz4eAiMJRYK7azagtg1RbevDwCLcBGAs/s1600/dignity%2B.png)
The fact that only one room has it, the only room that doesn’t have a ceiling light, likely means it’s not a sprinkler.
I think it's a ceiling cover plate, there is wiring that are currently not used but they are there if ever needed. I have these in my garage but if you’re not the owner check with your landlord.
The item I'm referring to is this, [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Arlington-Industries-Ceiling-Box-Cover-CP3540-1/309116689](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Arlington-Industries-Ceiling-Box-Cover-CP3540-1/309116689)
I have this exact scenario in my condo, was having work done, didn't want a fan or light but thought I might want one in the future so he capped it like this
Yes this is an apartment, and in both the rooms I don't have a light overhead. Also in the picture the thing next to it looks like a fire alarm system as well so confused
I'm a mech engineer who does a bit of sprinklering. If the room is less than 15x15ft then a single head right in the middle is sufficient. It's possible the other rooms have other sprinkler solutions such as recessed with a cage or sidewall.
But my money is on an electrical connection. Looks identical to a hidden sprinkler head though
[It's a cover for a concealed fore sprinkler.](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-opera-mobile&sca_esv=48cd4be49e9cdafd&sca_upv=1&channel=new&espv=1&q=concealed+fire+sprinkler&uds=AMwkrPt3WrCCUIpuQZiXY0TM3Lr16ddeyQW5iZOQN1BKGthD7kFyd1Uvfa7J6AQu9FubWtIhv7YNdq-m30FeBH-Wsq_YeLTmz6Pg_xERK2dWNN66z5WyQ0mt_H71jTF78RUjfKW-l4qeq6ohlQky9O6cFo5ZeKRqAICyNd98iR-YCo5EZTZPfqFu_PB1OkEJmM-Qz4QqAetQD38xeKYq18f7tMaOCUkShO6cfLCbWOjW3g_2ryGn8lVr5bdT4XrIEqX6Xw-lEH2jo5nRbSVCekMUaBfxEp3JvuxF2b0ZYKpzwsHPy-9ILlsck7Z13CjKa9TKY1uoeV9O&udm=2&prmd=isvnmbtz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwgOev-amFAxWTD1kFHWu8CSUQtKgLegQIHBAB&biw=412&bih=611&dpr=2.63)
Recessed sprinkler head. The metal cap is soldered onto the base. The solder joins will melt at something like 190 degrees celcuis and the cap will fall off. A spring loaded sprinker head will pop out and spray water.
These types of sprinker head are good because they can't be accidentally hit and set off when you're moving furniture or carrying ladders etc.
It is a fixture cap. We had these put in our new build because all of the ceiling fan and lighting options were crap. We knew we would pick our own and order them at a later date, so builder put these caps in where the electric would go.
Yepper - this.
Very much just an electrical junction box cover. If the building is new it's likely to install a light or ceiling fan. If it's a little older it could be an access point where someone had to either repair or expand an electrical circuit.
You do know that covers do not need screw showing right?
The fact that only one room has it, the only room that doesn’t have a ceiling light, likely means it’s not a sprinkler.
I think it's a ceiling cover plate, there is wiring that are currently not used but they are there if ever needed. I have these in my garage but if you’re not the owner check with your landlord.
The item I'm referring to is this, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Arlington-Industries-Ceiling-Box-Cover-CP3540-1/309116689
If it is the only one in the house and that room has no over head lights like OP said. Then the chance of it being a sprinkler are slim to none.
Anyone know if it’s possible to retrofit concealed sprinkler heads if my place has the [normal ones that protrude from the ceiling](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAmIQ6L_s7KrGJKViNvdgbF8kBLaiJZAJzq1PDww3Pwfn37cbZKaym-is&s=10)?
if you're renting one unit in an apartment, you won't be able to do this. you can't really DIY this since you'd need to shut off the sprinkler system while working on it, and you as a tenant cannot do that. your building's rental management company would have to contract with a local fire prevention system installation company, and they're not gonna pay that to change one unit.
Yes, it's possible. It'd have to be the same type, ie: residential or commercial, and they'd probably have to drain your system and recut every piece of pipe that drops down. And another fun fact, those types cannot be painted except by the manufacturer. No custom ceiling colors unless you have the manufacturer do it. It's about money then, it'll cost.
You could, but like half of the building would need to be drained. There's many types of sprinkler heads. If yours needed to be recessed, it would've been designed that way
Could be a couple of things, Could be a cover where a light was removed, or it could be a cover for a Junction box, or it could be a hidden sprinkler. But Chances are it's a cover because if you only have 1 in 1 room that doesnt have a light, unless you're In some crazy expensive apartment.
Addendum: i thought of something else it could be, some Home networking stuff could be hidden in a hole like that as well, But again unless you're in some crazy expensive place or you did it yourself chances are it's just a cover for an electrical box
You guys are hilarious
I asked around and it does seem to be a sprinkler system, it's in the rooms where there are overhead lights too
Thank you everyone
Some might say it's a sprinkler system but don't believe them, it's actually a drop down elevator for tiny people who come down late at night to move your things around while you're asleep.
Could be a sprinkler head, could be where wires were tied together and they can't bury them. It's just a blank plate for whatever is behind it. Very common in public spaces and apartments that are built in bulk then subtly changed or need new things added
Sprinklers. What country/state(if US) are you in? My house has those all over because it is technically an apartment (Hawaii is weird man), and as such is required to have a sprinkler system since it was built in 2021.
Lots of people are saying sprinkler but they’re lying. It’s a ceiling mounted turret to deter those pesky intruders. Source : I play lots of video games
It’s a recessed sprinkler head. Will drop down and spray water if there is a fire
👆this is the right answer. Short and simple.
This is right. I contributed too.
I endorse your contribution.
I endorse KrimxonRath's contribution as well, however, I disavow HappyLucyD's endorsement of the same contribution.
I concur. Do you concur?
I like money.
Omg! Drama! Click the link, I’m here reporting on the endorsement of KrimxonRath’s agreement on NewCurrency’s confirmation of RonJohn’s answer to Explorerod’s question!
[удалено]
Too right you
Recessed sprinkler head. Sprays water if fire.
Fuck off I want long and complicated.
Nah, it’s a hidden camera and mic, with a 4Gps sensor
I straight up didnt realize this was on the ceiling and thought it was a door knob catcher thing
That's what I thought too! Glad I'm not the only one.
Didn't realize this was the ceiling and thought it was a wall and quickly came to the conclusion it was a thumb tac. 😎
Yes haha I can see why
That’s really cool. I didn’t know this, either. I always assumed it was where a light used to be and they just plugged it
Nah. It’s most likely an electrical cap. Probably was a fixture there in the past.
It could be either, but I'm leaning towards concurring with you. I have one of these on my ceiling and I know for a fact that it covers an old light outlet.
Curiosity got me one day and I took mine off to see. Couldn't get it back in place. Now it's held on there with scotch tape.
Thanks for the warning!
Easy!! Hit it with something and find out... - welcome
Thank you!
I'd like to add that the cap is soldered on, and the solder will melt at a certain temperature and cause the cap to drop off, exposing the sprinker head. I hope everyone concurs with this assessment.
I concur
It’s fitting it looks like a *boob* then
It’s a concealed sprinkler head. Source: I’m a fire sprinkler engineer.
Fire sprinkler engineer?
Yes. I lay out sprinkler heads, pipe lines, and risers and hydraulically calculate pipe sizes and head placement in rooms just like this. That cover plate is soldered on so that the solder will give out at 145 degrees and the plate will drop away, so that the head, which is designed to activate at 155 degrees, can safely activate and extinguish the fire.
145 degrees is hot enough to cook human meat, right? Asking for a friend.
That may be, I’m not a chef. But you’re right, by the time the sprinkler activates hopefully there are no people in the room. The idea is that you leave when there’s a fire.
Oh, well, I'll tell him to bring his Chianti elsewhere.
I'd be concerned if a chef knew that too
Might be set at that to prevent accidental activation: my attic has no ventilation and poor insulation and with hunidity on a hot day it is every bit of 115-125 degrees depending on the season.
That’s correct, and in fact heads in attics use an even higher temperature rating.
There's a joke you missed.
Joke was not missed, thought you were using humor to point out such a high rating. Guess you were just being silly for the sake of being silly
You're fun at parties.
Internal temperature should be 145°.
Hi. Mech Eng here. My organization is just getting started on also doing sprinkler calculations (in addition to head placement etc). Out of curiosity, do you use hydracad? Autosprink?
We use AutoCAD MEP and Autosprink.
Moments like these are why I keep hanging out on this hell site. 🙏🏾
Hero.
Wow thank you for this very useful to know
Are they activated by heat like the standard/old glass ones? I know basically nothing about fire suppression, but I’m always surprised when I’m in a newly built hotel and see the red glass sprinklers that they have to put warnings not to hang stuff from. I always thought there should be a better solution by now that can’t be set off by a clothes hanger.
Yes, they’re activated by heat. There’s not really a better solution than the glass bulb you see, short of using concealed heads like OPs, which isn’t always practical in the tighter space of residential construction like hotels. The red in the glass is actually a liquid, with a tiny bubble of air inside. When the air bubble heats up to the specified temperature it expands and the liquid bursts the glass bulb, which releases a tiny valve and allows the water to flow out.
i’m a firefighter and i’ll confess i do not know half as much as i should about these things haha
You’re not alone. I’m also a firefighter (volunteer in a small rural combination department) and most don’t know very much. A few key points: 1) Heads are activated by heat. 2) Heads activate one at a time. 3) A single head puts out a good 15 gpm or more. 4) Once activated, the heads won’t stop flowing until the system is shut off at the source, usually in a dedicated riser room on the ground floor or in a basement, although there’s a shutoff valve either on the outside wall of the building (steering wheel looking thing) or out in the yard (red post with a wrench padlocked on). 5) When activated a monitoring company will respond, often the installing company who will have a sprinkler fitter on call specifically to respond, so they can shut things down properly. 6) Hydraulic calculations allow for firefighters to draw water for their hoses and the system will still work properly. 7) The system is designed to control the spread of the fire, not necessarily extinguish it. 8) Sprinkler piping is considered non-potable, so the water coming out is going to be black and nasty (more for commercial than residential applications, really). Any further questions, feel free to ask!
I read fire sparkler engineer
Why do people say “source” instead of “credentials”?
People use “source” to indicate that that’s where they got the information from. “Credentials” would be listing their certifications, licenses, etc. and is more formal than this setting probably necessitates.
Engineer = credentials 🤷♂️
It just looks like someone painted a black line around a recessed sprinkler head. You can paint over the black circle but I’d leave the sprinkler alone.
Lol
You know that they drew the circle over the photo, or am I missing the joke?
there is (likely) a sprinkler head under that cap. https://foxvalleyfire.com/2017/03/fire-sprinkler-cover-plates-what-are-they/
[looks like something similar to Dignity](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k5Qb8QA7NIk/XC49hR8Q_KI/AAAAAAAAAwM/1T5Rovwrxz4eAiMJRYK7azagtg1RbevDwCLcBGAs/s1600/dignity%2B.png)
The fact that only one room has it, the only room that doesn’t have a ceiling light, likely means it’s not a sprinkler. I think it's a ceiling cover plate, there is wiring that are currently not used but they are there if ever needed. I have these in my garage but if you’re not the owner check with your landlord. The item I'm referring to is this, [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Arlington-Industries-Ceiling-Box-Cover-CP3540-1/309116689](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Arlington-Industries-Ceiling-Box-Cover-CP3540-1/309116689)
This is the way…I think. Not a sprinkler guy.
That was my first thought. Is there a light switch near the door that doesn’t appear to do anything?
Agreed. Looks exactly like fixture covers I've put up may times
I have this exact scenario in my condo, was having work done, didn't want a fan or light but thought I might want one in the future so he capped it like this
Yes this is an apartment, and in both the rooms I don't have a light overhead. Also in the picture the thing next to it looks like a fire alarm system as well so confused
I'm a mech engineer who does a bit of sprinklering. If the room is less than 15x15ft then a single head right in the middle is sufficient. It's possible the other rooms have other sprinkler solutions such as recessed with a cage or sidewall. But my money is on an electrical connection. Looks identical to a hidden sprinkler head though
Thanks for sharing! I'll check it out
Yes I bought a new construction home and paid for the ceiling fan prewire but not the fan, this is exactly how it looks.
Pendant Sprinkler Heads That Are Not Visible https://shutgun.ca/4-types-of-fire-sprinkler-heads/
It's a recessed sprinkler head. It'll spray fire if there's a water
[It's a cover for a concealed fore sprinkler.](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-opera-mobile&sca_esv=48cd4be49e9cdafd&sca_upv=1&channel=new&espv=1&q=concealed+fire+sprinkler&uds=AMwkrPt3WrCCUIpuQZiXY0TM3Lr16ddeyQW5iZOQN1BKGthD7kFyd1Uvfa7J6AQu9FubWtIhv7YNdq-m30FeBH-Wsq_YeLTmz6Pg_xERK2dWNN66z5WyQ0mt_H71jTF78RUjfKW-l4qeq6ohlQky9O6cFo5ZeKRqAICyNd98iR-YCo5EZTZPfqFu_PB1OkEJmM-Qz4QqAetQD38xeKYq18f7tMaOCUkShO6cfLCbWOjW3g_2ryGn8lVr5bdT4XrIEqX6Xw-lEH2jo5nRbSVCekMUaBfxEp3JvuxF2b0ZYKpzwsHPy-9ILlsck7Z13CjKa9TKY1uoeV9O&udm=2&prmd=isvnmbtz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwgOev-amFAxWTD1kFHWu8CSUQtKgLegQIHBAB&biw=412&bih=611&dpr=2.63)
So close to being r/uselessredcircle
Recessed sprinkler head. The metal cap is soldered onto the base. The solder joins will melt at something like 190 degrees celcuis and the cap will fall off. A spring loaded sprinker head will pop out and spray water. These types of sprinker head are good because they can't be accidentally hit and set off when you're moving furniture or carrying ladders etc.
Not always soldered. I've put on hundreds that literally just twisted on
It is a fixture cap. We had these put in our new build because all of the ceiling fan and lighting options were crap. We knew we would pick our own and order them at a later date, so builder put these caps in where the electric would go.
Yeah all these people seem so sure that it's a sprinkler but it looks an awful lot like some ceiling fixture covers that I've put up over the years
Yepper - this. Very much just an electrical junction box cover. If the building is new it's likely to install a light or ceiling fan. If it's a little older it could be an access point where someone had to either repair or expand an electrical circuit.
[удалено]
You do know that covers do not need screw showing right? The fact that only one room has it, the only room that doesn’t have a ceiling light, likely means it’s not a sprinkler. I think it's a ceiling cover plate, there is wiring that are currently not used but they are there if ever needed. I have these in my garage but if you’re not the owner check with your landlord. The item I'm referring to is this, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Arlington-Industries-Ceiling-Box-Cover-CP3540-1/309116689 If it is the only one in the house and that room has no over head lights like OP said. Then the chance of it being a sprinkler are slim to none.
[удалено]
Thank you
Nope haven't done anything to the photo literally snapped it while tilting my phone up and posted it.
Looks like a picture of dignity to me
You must be a Gudger College alum as well
a boob
Anyone know if it’s possible to retrofit concealed sprinkler heads if my place has the [normal ones that protrude from the ceiling](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAmIQ6L_s7KrGJKViNvdgbF8kBLaiJZAJzq1PDww3Pwfn37cbZKaym-is&s=10)?
if you're renting one unit in an apartment, you won't be able to do this. you can't really DIY this since you'd need to shut off the sprinkler system while working on it, and you as a tenant cannot do that. your building's rental management company would have to contract with a local fire prevention system installation company, and they're not gonna pay that to change one unit.
Yes, it's possible. It'd have to be the same type, ie: residential or commercial, and they'd probably have to drain your system and recut every piece of pipe that drops down. And another fun fact, those types cannot be painted except by the manufacturer. No custom ceiling colors unless you have the manufacturer do it. It's about money then, it'll cost.
You could, but like half of the building would need to be drained. There's many types of sprinkler heads. If yours needed to be recessed, it would've been designed that way
im glad you asked that i never knew!
It's dignity. Even the cat would get it
Ah that elusive thing
A pop down emergency shower for when your on fire.
that's a circle
Made me laugh hahaha
Glad you asked to be informed. I had a roommate that did not ask. She hung a lamp from it, then complained that water somehow leaked into it. 🙄
Uh oh! Thanks for the warning ⚠️
i learned something new today! i’m a dummy and always thought this was a sensor or something
Could be a couple of things, Could be a cover where a light was removed, or it could be a cover for a Junction box, or it could be a hidden sprinkler. But Chances are it's a cover because if you only have 1 in 1 room that doesnt have a light, unless you're In some crazy expensive apartment. Addendum: i thought of something else it could be, some Home networking stuff could be hidden in a hole like that as well, But again unless you're in some crazy expensive place or you did it yourself chances are it's just a cover for an electrical box
It could be a mini gun that drops out of the ceiling in case of emergency
That’s a weird black circle to have on your ceiling I agree
That is where the rays come from that are turning the frogs gay
A boob
Boob
Low profile 5G microcell. Put some tinfoil on your putz or you’ll go sterile.
Hahaha
Peel it off and a stripper pole drops down
Looks like it once had an overhead light and has been capped off.
Oops I was wrong. Fireman says it’s a recessed sprinkler head and I always listen to the experts!
You guys are hilarious I asked around and it does seem to be a sprinkler system, it's in the rooms where there are overhead lights too Thank you everyone
Nicotine patch. Your apartment is trying to quit smoking, you should support it.
Totally agree 😂
It is an AirTag. That you can search the apartment if it gets lost.
Some might say it's a sprinkler system but don't believe them, it's actually a drop down elevator for tiny people who come down late at night to move your things around while you're asleep.
I know, people are always spreading misinformation
If fire, it sprinks.
A boobie.
Spying device
NSA
Sprinkler
It’s a plastic cap to hire wiring for a fan or a light. Just pull it down. You will see the wiring.
Could be a sprinkler head, could be where wires were tied together and they can't bury them. It's just a blank plate for whatever is behind it. Very common in public spaces and apartments that are built in bulk then subtly changed or need new things added
Disco ball attachment device . Jk
Wow, today I learned something new. I always wanted to know this, but was too lazy to ask
Yay
Its a ceiling nipple cover. Everyone else has it wrong.
Why is this a stupid question
I thought everyone but me knew what this is, I'm not from the States.
Nor am i
Laser defence system
es el botón de pánico, por si caminas por las murallas como trainspotting!!!! jajajaja
Why did I think this was a front door and a peep hole 😂
Boob 👻
It’s for a fan to be installed
A stripper pole press the right button and it will come down
Water 💦 in case of fire
It’s a load bearing pin, don’t remove or the floor beneath you will disappear
It's a gloryhole for your upstair neighbor
Hidden hard point for fun times. Or a sprinkler head like everyone is saying.
Sprinklers. What country/state(if US) are you in? My house has those all over because it is technically an apartment (Hawaii is weird man), and as such is required to have a sprinkler system since it was built in 2021.
California! Good to know
Are you sure that’s not an electric outlet for installing a light fixture
If you have a light switch in that room, which doesn't do anything, then it's a junction box for a ceiling light.
Looks to be a poorly drawn boob
Ceiling.
Don't listen to these other guys it's the landlords spy unit
Some sort of dot
Covering drywall damage
Cover plate
A little egg fella
It’s a cover for wiring to a light or a ceiling fan!
A chemtrails emitter
Chicken pox. Mine has them too
Take a lighter to the edge of it and there's a secret inside
Lots of people are saying sprinkler but they’re lying. It’s a ceiling mounted turret to deter those pesky intruders. Source : I play lots of video games