What are the smaller pipes on which sprinklers are installed commonly referred to as?

The smaller pipes on which sprinklers are installed are commonly referred to as branch lines. These pipes serve the crucial function of supplying water directly to each sprinkler head from the main water supply system. In fire protection systems, branch lines effectively distribute water to multiple sprinkler heads, allowing for efficient coverage over a designated area.

Understanding the terminology in fire protection is important; main lines are the larger pipes that carry water to various parts of the system, while branch lines lead water specifically to the sprinklers. Feeder pipes typically refer to those that supply a specific area or component rather than the individual sprinklers, and distribution lines are often used more broadly to discuss the system of pipes that transport water throughout a facility. This distinctions highlight the specific role of branch lines in ensuring that each sprinkler can effectively respond in case of a fire.