Sprinklers are designed to operate at what PSI?

• A. 15 PSI
• B. 10 PSI
• C. 20 PSI
• D. 25 PSI

Answer: (A)

Sprinklers are designed to operate at approximately 15 psi at the sprinkler head. This baseline pressure ensures the head receives enough pressure to produce the necessary flow and discharge pattern to control a fire, accounting for friction losses in the piping from the main supply. If the pressure at the head falls below this level, the discharge may be inadequate; pressures much higher aren’t typically required for standard heads and can introduce unnecessary stress or operational issues. The 15 psi figure represents the common design target for ordinary wet sprinkler systems.