National Fire Protection Association Designer's Guide | To Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Head configurations dictate water distribution. Upright, pendent, and sidewall options change how spray patterns interact with walls and ceilings. Designers rely on specific K-factors (the discharge coefficient formula:

To determine pressure loss through pipes, designers utilize the Hazen-Williams formula: $$ P = \frac4.52 \times Q^1.85C^1.85 \times d^4.87 $$ Head configurations dictate water distribution