If a sprinkler is color coded Orange, what color bulb does it use?

• A. Blue
• B. Black
• C. Orange/Red
• D. Yellow/Green

Answer: (B)

Sprinkler heads use a color-coded system to indicate their temperature rating, and the bulb color is matched to that rating. When a head is color coded orange, the standard bulb color paired with that rating is black. This pairing ensures the sprinkler will activate at the intended heat level for that head’s rating.

In practice, the body color helps quick identification of the head’s rating, while the bulb color provides the precise indicator of when the glass will break. Using a bulb color that doesn’t match the body’s color code could misrepresent the activation temperature, potentially causing either premature or delayed release of water. The other color options correspond to different body color codes and would not be correct for an orange-coded head. If you’re ever unsure, check the manufacturer’s data sheet for the exact color-to-rating mapping.