Residential dry sprinkler design method and system

Abstract

A method of designing a residential fire protection system in a residential dwelling unit are shown and described. The residential dwelling unit has a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. The method can be achieved by: determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers required to determine a hydraulic demand calculation of the residential fire sprinklers of a piping network filled with water and arranged to protect the plurality of compartments; and specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers in a piping network filled with a gas. Various aspects of the invention are also shown and described.

What I claim is: 
     
      
       1. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the dry system being for a residential dwelling unit having a fluid supply source defined by a flow and pressure and a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the method comprising: 
       
         determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one of the fire protection standards including UL 1626 (October 2003), so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems for a piping network filled with water in a wet pipe fire sprinkler system arranged to protect the plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 3D, and 13R, the determining of the minimum quantity and location of the residential sprinklers being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for the wet system designed under guidelines set forth by the applicable fire protection standards for the unit, such that the determining the minimum quantity includes:
 determining a wet design area; 
 determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with a sprinkler coverage requirement for each compartment; 
 determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; 
 determining that the flow and pressure of the fluid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; and 
 
         specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, for the dry system having a dry design area that is the same as the wet design area, wherein 
         the residential sprinklers being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including:
 a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture is oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; 
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and 
 a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
 when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F. 
 
       
      
     
     
      
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining 
       
         includes selecting the residential sprinklers at a rated K-factor appropriate for the pressure and flow rate of the fluid supply source. 
       
      
     
     
      
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein specifying comprises calculating the hydraulic flow rate of the selected residential fire sprinkler from the fluid supply source to the selected residential fire sprinkler to determine whether the selected fire sprinkler, up to a maximum of two, within a compartment of the residential dwelling unit, requires the highest hydraulic flow rate. 
      
     
     
      
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein specifying comprises calculating the hydraulic flow rate of the selected residential fire sprinkler from the fluid supply source to the selected residential fire sprinkler to determine whether the selected fire sprinkler, up to a maximum of four, within a compartment of the residential dwelling unit, requires the highest hydraulic flow rate. 
      
     
     
      
       5. The method of one of  claims 3  and  4 , wherein the specifying comprises selecting residential fire sprinklers at a nominal rated K-factor selected from a group of rated K-factors consisting of 3.0, 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.7, 4.9, 5.5, and 5.6. 
      
     
     
      
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein calculating the hydraulic flow rate provides a flow of water in gallons per minute selected from a group of flow rates consisting of 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 gallons per minute. 
      
     
     
      
       7. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using the hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 3R, the system being for a residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13D, the method comprising: 
       
         determining a wet design area of the wet system and a minimum number of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one or more of the fire protection standards including UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems based on a hydraulic demand calculation of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system, the hydraulic demand calculation being a function of up to two sprinklers located within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the residential dwelling unit, as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13D, the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for a wet system designed under guidelines set forth by 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13D, wherein determining the minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers based upon the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet system includes;
 determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with the preselected density; 
 determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; 
 determining that the flow rate of the liquid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system, and wherein; and 
 
         specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, in the dry system, the dry system having a dry design area the same as the wet design area for the wet system, the dry system including:
 (a) a water supply source to provide sufficient water flow rate to a network of pipes so as to maintain a preselected density under NFPA 13D for a predetermined duration; 
 (b) a single control valve; 
 (c) a dry pipe valve; and 
 (d) a network of pipes to be filled with a gas when the residential sprinklers are in an unactuated condition so that the pipes are dry, 
 
         the residential sprinklers being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including:
 a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture is oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; 
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and 
 a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
 when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F. 
 
       
      
     
     
      
       8. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using the hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 3R, the system being for a residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, the method comprising: 
       
         determining a wet design area of the wet system and a minimum number of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one or more of the fire protection standards including UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems based on a hydraulic demand calculation of a wet pipe fire sprinkler system, the hydraulic demand calculation being a function of up to four sprinklers located within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the residential dwelling unit, as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for a wet system designed under guidelines set forth by 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, wherein determining the minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers based upon the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet system includes:
 determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with the preselected density; 
 determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; 
 determining that the flow rate of the liquid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system, and wherein; and 
 
         specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, in the dry system, the dry system having a dry design area the same as the wet design area for the wet system, the dry system including:
 (a) a water supply source to provide sufficient water flow rate to a network of pipes so as to maintain a preselected density under NFPA 13 and 13R for a predetermined duration; 
 (b) a single control valve; 
 (c) a dry pipe valve; and 
 (d) a network of pipes to be filled with a gas when the residential sprinklers are in an unactuated condition so that the pipes are dry, the residential sprinklers being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including: 
 a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture is oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; 
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and 
 a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
 when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F. 
 
       
      
     
     
      
       9. The method of one of  claims 1 ,  7  and  8 , wherein the specifying comprises identifying: 
       
         at least one type of residential fire sprinkler to be used in the dwelling unit; 
         a plurality of protection areas to be protected by the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler in the dwelling unit, each of the plurality of protection areas having a dimension of X by Y, wherein X is any value from 10 feet to 20 feet and Y is any value from 10 feet to 24 feet; and 
         a plurality of minimum flow rates and residual pressures for a respective one of a plurality of protection areas. 
       
      
     
     
      
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein identifying the plurality of protection areas includes relating the plurality of protection areas to at least one of the following: 
       
         (a) spacing between any two of the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers; 
         (b) a type of ceiling over a protection area; 
         (c) rated K-factor of the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; 
         (d) minimum flow rate per sprinkler; 
         (e) pressure of fluid being supplied to the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; and 
         (f) temperature at which the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler activates. 
       
      
     
     
      
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein identifying the plurality of protection areas comprises identifying a protection area for at least one of a generally flat, sloped or beamed ceiling, and the protection area includes at least one of 144 square feet; 196 square feet; 256 square feet; 288 square feet; 320 square feet; or 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein relating the rated K-factor comprises relating a plurality of rated K-factors including nominal K-factors of 4 and 5. 
      
     
     
      
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein relating the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers comprises relating a fire sprinkler selected from a group consisting of one of a pendant sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 5, a sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 4, and combinations thereof. 
      
     
     
      
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.9 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 15 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 20 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a sidewall type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of protected areas, the plurality of flow rates including about at least 12 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144 square feet; about at least 16 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 196 or 256 square feet; about at least 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 288 square feet; or about at least 23 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 320 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 13 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 22 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       17. The method of  claim 13 , wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 24 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for two pendent type sprinklers each with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to respective dry pipes of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 14 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; or about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the specifying comprises providing a density of at least 0.1 gallons per minute per square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the specifying comprises providing a density of at least 0.05 gallons per minute per square feet to each of the minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers. 
      
     
     
      
       21. A method comprising: 
       
         identifying of fire protection information for a residential dwelling unit as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the fire protection information including: 
         at least one type of residential fire sprinkler for each of the plurality of protected areas including a rated K-factor for the fire sprinkler, the residential sprinkler being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL 1626 (October 2003). the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including:
 a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture is oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; 
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and 
 a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
 
         when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.; 
         a plurality of areas to be protected in the dwelling unit, each of the plurality of design protection areas having a dimension of X by Y, wherein X is any value from 10 feet to 20 feet and Y is any value from 10 feet to 24 feet; and 
         a plurality of minimum flow rates and residual pressures to identify a hydraulic demand, for a wet pipe system based upon hydraulic demand design criteria including a wet design area for the wet system designed under guidelines set forth by at least one of 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D and 13R so as to define a hydraulic demand for a dry pipe system configured to protect the plurality of areas, the hydraulic demand of the dry system being the same as hydraulic demand of the wet pipe system; and 
         directing a user to design a dry pipe residential fire protection system having a dry design area based on the fire protection information such that the dry design area of the dry pipe system is the same as the wet design area of the wet pipe system. 
       
      
     
     
      
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein identifying the fire protection information comprises specifying at least one of the following: 
       
         (a) type of ceiling over each of the design protection area; 
         (b) spacing between any two of the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers; 
         (c) rated K-factor of the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler from nominally 4 to 6; 
         (d) minimum flow rate per sprinkler; 
         (e) pressure of fluid being supplied to the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; and 
         (f) temperature at which the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler activates. 
       
      
     
     
      
       23. The method of  claim 22 , wherein specifying the type of ceiling includes specifying at least one of a generally flat, sloped or beamed ceiling, and the identifying the fire protection information further includes specifying a protection area measurement as including at least one of 144 square feet; 196 square feet; 256 square feet; 288 square feet; 320 square feet; or 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein specifying the rated K-factor comprises specifying a plurality of rated K-factors including nominally 4 and 5. 
      
     
     
      
       25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers as comprising a fire sprinkler selected from a group consisting of one of residential pendant sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 5, sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 4, and combinations thereof. 
      
     
     
      
       26. The method of  claim 25 , wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.9 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 15 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 20 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       27. The method of  claim 25 , wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential sidewall type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of protected areas, the plurality of flow rates including about at least 12 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144 square feet; about at least 16 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 196 or 256 square feet; about at least 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 288 square feet; or about at least 23 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 320 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       28. The method of  claim 25 , wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 13 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 22 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       29. The method of  claim 25 , wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; 
       
         about 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 24 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
       
      
     
     
      
       30. The method of  claim 25 , wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for two residential pendent type sprinklers each with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to respective dry pipes of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 14 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; or about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       31. A method of specifying a residential sprinkler for use in a dry pipe sprinkler system of a residential unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the method comprising: 
       
         providing a residential fire sprinkler for installation in a network of pipes, the residential fire sprinkler being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) and including a water delivery time of fifteen seconds following sprinkler activation for each type of residential fire sprinkler, the tests including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including:
 a room with a nominally eight foot generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture is oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; 
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and 
 a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
 
         when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.; 
         specifying a type of ceiling consonant with the specified sprinkler, the type of ceiling including: flat, sloped, beamed or a combination thereof; 
         specifying a coverage area for each type of ceiling specified, including specifying a plurality of design areas to be protected in the residential unit; and 
         identifying for the unit a dry design area and hydraulic demand for the dry pipe system based upon a minimum quantity and location of the residential sprinklers that are used to determine a hydraulic demand calculation for a wet system having a wet design area designed under guidelines set forth by at least one of 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D and 13R, such that the hydraulic demand of the dry pipe system is the same as the hydraulic demand for the wet system and the dry design area of the dry system is the same as the wet design area of the wet system. 
       
      
     
     
      
       32. The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes specifying at least one of the following: 
       
         (a) spacing between two or more of the residential fire sprinkler; 
         (b) rated K-factor of the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler from nominally 4 to 6; 
         (c) minimum flow rate per sprinkler; 
         (e) pressure of fluid being supplied to the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; and 
         (f) temperature at which the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler activates. 
       
      
     
     
      
       33. The method of  claim 31 , wherein the specifying the type of ceiling and coverage area includes specifying a protection area measurement including at least one of 144 square feet; 196 square feet; 256 square feet; 288 square feet; 320 square feet; or 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       34. The method of  claim 31 , wherein providing the residential sprinkler includes providing a sprinkler selected from a group consisting of one of residential pendant sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 5, sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 4, and combinations thereof. 
      
     
     
      
       35. The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.9 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 15 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 20 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       36. The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential sidewall type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of protected areas, the plurality of flow rates including about at least 12 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144 square feet; about at least 16 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 196 or 256 square feet; about at least 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 288 square feet; or about at least 23 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 320 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       37. The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 13 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 22 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       38. The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 24 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       39. The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for two residential pendent type sprinklers each with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to respective dry pipes of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 14 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; or about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet. 
      
     
     
      
       40. The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the hydraulic demand is further based upon the type of ceiling specified such that identifying the hydraulic demand includes specifying the maximum spacing between residential sprinklers, a deflector to ceiling spacing for the residential sprinklers and a flow rate with a residual pressure for the residential sprinklers, the specifying a coverage area including specifying a maximum coverage area. 
      
     
     
      
       41. The method of  claim 31 , further comprising communicating over a suitable medium including a computer with a graphical user interface such that the providing, specifying and identifying facilitate a design process. 
      
     
     
      
       42. The method of  claim 31 , wherein specifying a plurality of design areas to be protected in the unit includes specifying that each of the areas defining a design protection area having a dimension of X by Y, wherein X is any value ranging from about 10 feet to about 20 feet and Y is any value ranging from about 10 feet to about 24 feet. 
      
     
     
      
       43. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the dry system being for a residential dwelling unit having a fluid supply source defined by a flow and pressure and a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the method comprising: 
       
         determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one of the fire protection standards including UL 1626 (October 2003), so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems for a piping network filled with water in a wet pipe fire sprinkler system arranged to protect the plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the determining of the minimum quantity and location of the residential sprinklers being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for the wet system designed under guidelines set forth by the applicable fire protection standards for the unit, such that the determining the minimum quantity includes:
 determining a wet design area of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system; 
 determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with a sprinkler coverage requirement for each compartment; 
 determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; 
 determining that the flow and pressure of the fluid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; and 
 
         specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, for the dry system having a dry design area that is the same as the wet design area of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system. 
       
      
     
     
      
       44. A dry pipe residential fire protection system for a residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the system comprising: 
       
         a fluid supply located proximate the residential dwelling unit, the fluid supply having a flow and pressure; 
         a network of pipes coupled to the fluid supply, the network of pipes including at least one pipe extending over each of the compartments; 
         a minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one of the fire protection standards including UL 1626 (October 2003) for use in a wet pipe fire sprinkler system design for protection of the plurality of compartments designed under guidelines set forth by the applicable fire protection standards for the unit, the residential fire sprinklers having a location adjacent each of the compartments and coupled to the network of pipes so that upon actuation of at least one residential fire sprinkler, fluid is delivered from fluid supply to the compartments within a first time period, the location satisfying a hydraulic demand of the wet system design for each compartment as determined under the guidelines, the location further satisfying the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system design determined under the guidelines when the minimum number of residential sprinklers are supplied with a fluid from the fluid supply, the minimum quantity of residential sprinklers being equivalent to a number of sprinklers for the wet system design so as to comply with a sprinkler coverage requirement for each compartment under the guidelines; and 
         a dry design area that is the same as a wet design area in the wet pipe fire sprinkler system design. 
       
      
     
     
      
       45. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the hydraulic demand for the wet system for each compartment is defined by a hydraulic demand of a residential sprinkler, up to four sprinklers, for a design area of each compartment in the wet system design. 
      
     
     
      
       46. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the hydraulic demand for the wet system for each compartment is defined by a hydraulic demand of a residential sprinkler, up to two sprinklers, for a design area of each compartment in the wet system design. 
      
     
     
      
       47. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the residential sprinklers are of a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including: 
       
         a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture is oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening;
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and 
 a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
 
         when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F. 
       
      
     
     
      
       48. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the first time period comprises about 10 seconds. 
      
     
     
      
       49. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the first time period comprises about 15 seconds. 
      
     
     
      
       50. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the residential fire sprinklers include a residential pendant type fire sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally  4 . 
      
     
     
      
       51. The system of  claim 44 , wherein the residential fire sprinkler comprises a residential sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally  4 . 
      
     
     
      
       52. A residential dwelling unit fire protection system, the residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standard 13D, the fire protection system comprising: 
       
         a supply of pressurized fluid located proximate the dwelling unit; 
         a network of pipes in fluid communication with the fluid supply, the network of pipes including at least one pipe extending over each of the compartments, the at least one pipe being filled generally with a gas so that the at least one pipe is dry; and 
         a quantity of residential fire sprinklers located adjacent each of the compartments, each of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers being coupled to the at least one pipe filled with a gas so that, upon actuation of at least one fire sprinkler of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers, fluid is delivered from fluid supply to the compartments within a first time period, wherein the quantity of residential fire sprinklers is based on a calculated hydraulic demand for all residential fire sprinklers in a wet fire protection system, up to two sprinklers, having the highest calculated demand within a compartment. 
       
      
     
     
      
       53. A residential dwelling unit fire protection system, the residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, the fire protection system comprising: 
       
         a supply of pressurized fluid located proximate the dwelling unit; 
         a network of pipes in fluid communication with the fluid supply, the network of pipes including at least one pipe extending over each of the compartments, the at least one pipe being filled generally with a gas so that the at least one pipe is dry; and 
         a quantity of residential fire sprinklers located adjacent each of the compartments, each of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers being coupled to the at least one pipe filled with a gas so that, upon actuation of at least one fire sprinkler of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers, fluid is delivered from fluid supply to the compartments within a first time period, wherein the quantity of residential fire sprinklers is based on a calculated hydraulic demand for all residential fire sprinklers in a wet fire protection system, up to four sprinklers, having the highest calculated demand within a compartment. 
       
      
     
     
      
       54. The system of any one of  claims 52  and  53 , wherein the first time period comprises about 15 seconds. 
      
     
     
      
       55. The system of any one of  claims 52  and  53 , wherein the residential fire sprinklers include a residential pendant type fire sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally  4 . 
      
     
     
      
       56. The system of any one of  claims 52  and  53 , wherein the residential fire sprinkler comprises a residential sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally  4 . 
      
     
     
       57. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the dry system being for a residential dwelling unit having a fluid supply source defined by a flow and pressure and a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the method comprising:
 determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one of the fire protection standards including UL 1626 (October 2003), so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems for a piping network filled with water in a wet pipe fire sprinkler system arranged to protect the plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the determining of the minimum quantity and location of the residential sprinklers being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for the wet system designed under guidelines set forth by the applicable fire protection standards for the unit, such that the determining of the minimum quantity includes:
 determining a wet design area; 
 determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with a sprinkler coverage requirement for each compartment; 
 determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; 
 determining that the flow and pressure of the fluid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; 
 specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, for the dry system having a dry design area that is the same as the wet design area; and 
 specifying a network of pipes to be filled with a pressurized gas so that the pipes are dry, the pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof; 
 specifying the residential fire sprinklers for the dry system in which the residential sprinklers have a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the network of pipes and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition, wherein the residential sprinklers being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including: 
   a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture being oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening;   a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner;   a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling;   a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening;   a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and   a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.    
     
     
       58. The method of claim 57, wherein the determining includes selecting the residential sprinklers at a rated K-factor appropriate for the pressure and flow rate of the fluid supply source.  
     
     
       59. The method of claim 58, wherein specifying comprises calculating the hydraulic flow rate of the selected residential fire sprinkler from the fluid supply source to the selected residential fire sprinkler to determine whether the selected fire sprinkler, up to a maximum of two, within a compartment of the residential dwelling unit, requires the highest hydraulic flow rate.  
     
     
       60. The method of claim 58, wherein specifying comprises calculating the hydraulic flow rate of the selected residential fire sprinkler from the fluid supply source to the selected residential fire sprinkler to determine whether the selected fire sprinkler, up to a maximum of four, within a compartment of the residential dwelling unit, requires the highest hydraulic flow rate.  
     
     
       61. The method of one of claims 59 and 60, wherein the specifying comprises selecting residential fire sprinklers at a nominal rated K-factor selected from a group of rated K-factors consisting of 3.0, 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.7, 4.9, 5.5, and 5.6.  
     
     
       62. The method of claim 61, wherein calculating the hydraulic flow rate provides a flow of water in gallons per minute selected from a group of flow rates consisting of 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 gallons per minute.  
     
     
       63. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using the hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the system being for a residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13D, the method comprising:
 determining a wet design area of the wet system and a minimum number of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one or more of the fire protection standards including UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems based on a hydraulic demand calculation of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system, the hydraulic demand calculation being a function of up to two sprinklers located within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the residential dwelling unit, as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13D, the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for a wet system designed under guidelines set forth by 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13D, wherein determining the minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers based upon the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet system includes;   determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with the preselected density;   determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system;   determining that the flow rate of the liquid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; and   specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, in the dry system, the dry system having a dry design area the same as the wet design area for the wet system, the dry system including:
 (a) a water supply source to provide sufficient water flow rate to a network of pipes so as to maintain a preselected density under NFPA 13D for a predetermined duration; 
 (b) a single control valve; 
 (c) a dry pipe valve; and 
 (d) a network of pipes to be filled with a pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof when the residential sprinklers are in an unactuated condition so that the pipes are dry, 
   specifying the residential fire sprinklers for the dry system in which the residential sprinklers have a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the network of pipes and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition, the residential sprinklers being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including:   a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture being oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening;   a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner;   a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling;   a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and   a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein   when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.    
     
     
       64. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using the hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the system being for a residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, the method comprising:
 determining a wet design area of the wet system and a minimum number of residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one or more of the fire protection standards including UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems based on a hydraulic demand calculation of a wet pipe fire sprinkler system, the hydraulic demand calculation being a function of up to four sprinklers located within at least one of the plurality of compartments of the residential dwelling unit, as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for a wet system designed under guidelines set forth by 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, wherein determining the minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers based upon the hydraulic demand calculation of the wet system includes:
 determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with the preselected density; 
 determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; 
 determining that the flow rate of the liquid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; and 
 specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, in the dry system, the dry system having a dry design area the same as the wet design area for the wet system, the dry system including: 
   (a) a water supply source to provide sufficient water flow rate to a network of pipes so as to maintain a preselected density under NFPA 13 and 13R for a predetermined duration;   (b) a single control valve;   (c) a dry pipe valve; and   (d) a network of pipes to be filled with a pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof when the residential sprinklers are in an unactuated condition so that the pipes are dry,
 specifying the residential fire sprinklers for the dry system in which the residential sprinklers have a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the network of pipes and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition, the residential sprinklers being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including: 
   a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture being oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening;   a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner;   a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling;   a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening;   a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and   a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein
 when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.  
   
     
     
       65. The method of one of claims 57, 63 and 64, wherein the specifying comprises identifying: at least one type of residential fire sprinkler to be used in the dwelling unit; a plurality of protection areas to be protected by the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler in the dwelling unit, each of the plurality of protection areas having a dimension of X by Y, wherein X is any value from 10 feet to 20 feet and Y is any value from 10 feet to 24 feet; and a plurality of minimum flow rates and residual pressures for a respective one of a plurality of protection areas.  
     
     
       66. The method of claim 65, wherein identifying the plurality of protection areas includes relating the plurality of protection areas to at least one of the following: (a) spacing between any two of the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers; (b) a type of ceiling over a protection area; (c) rated K-factor of the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; (d) minimum flow rate per sprinkler; (e) pressure of fluid being supplied to the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; and (f) temperature at which the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler activates.  
     
     
       67. The method of claim 66, wherein identifying the plurality of protection areas comprises identifying a protection area for at least one of a generally flat, sloped or beamed ceiling, and the protection area includes at least one of 144 square feet; 196 square feet; 256 square feet; 288 square feet; 320 square feet; or 400 square feet.  
     
     
       68. The method of claim 67, wherein relating the rated K-factor comprises relating a plurality of rated K-factors including nominal K-factors of 4 and 5.  
     
     
       69. The method of claim 68, wherein relating the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers comprises relating a fire sprinkler selected from a group consisting of one of a pendant sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 5, a sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 4, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
       70. The method of claim 69, wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.9 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 15 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 20 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       71. The method of claim 70, wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a sidewall type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of protected areas, the plurality of flow rates including about at least 12 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144 square feet; about at least 16 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 196 or 256 square feet; about at least 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 288 square feet; or about at least 23 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 320 square feet.  
     
     
       72. The method of claim 69, wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 13 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 22 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       73. The method of claim 69, wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for a pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 24 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       74. The method of claim 69, wherein relating the minimum flow rate comprises relating a plurality of flow rates for two pendent type sprinklers each with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to respective dry pipes of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 14 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; or about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet.  
     
     
       75. The method of claim 74, wherein the specifying comprises providing a density of at least 0.1 gallons per minute per square feet.  
     
     
       76. The method of claim 74, wherein the specifying comprises providing a density of at least 0.05 gallons per minute per square feet to each of the minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers.  
     
     
       77. A method comprising: identifying fire protection information for a residential dwelling unit as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the fire protection information including:
 at least one type of residential fire sprinkler for each of a plurality of areas to be protected, including a rated K-factor for the fire sprinkler, the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler being configured for coupling to a network of pipes to be filled with a pressurized gas when the residential sprinklers are in an unactuated condition so that the pipes are dry, the pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof, the residential fire sprinkler having a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the network of pipes and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition, the residential sprinkler being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including:
 a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture being oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; 
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; 
 and a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
   when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.;   a plurality of areas to be protected in the dwelling unit, each of the plurality of design protection areas having a dimension of X by Y, wherein X is any value from 10 feet to 20 feet and Y is any value from 10 feet to 24 feet; and   a plurality of minimum flow rates and residual pressures to identify a hydraulic demand for a wet pipe system based upon hydraulic demand design criteria including a wet design area for the wet system designed under guidelines set forth by at least one of 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D and 13R so as to define a hydraulic demand for a dry pipe system configured to protect the plurality of areas, the hydraulic demand of the dry system being the same as hydraulic demand of the wet pipe system; and   directing a user to design a dry pipe residential fire protection system having a dry design area based on the fire protection information such that the dry design area of the dry pipe system is the same as the wet design area of the wet pipe system.    
     
     
       78. The method of claim 77, wherein identifying the fire protection information comprises specifying at least one of the following: (a) type of ceiling over each of the design protection area; (b) spacing between any two of the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers; (c) rated K-factor of the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler from nominally 4 to 6; (d) minimum flow rate per sprinkler; (e) pressure of fluid being supplied to the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; and (f) temperature at which the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler activates.  
     
     
       79. The method of claim 78, wherein specifying the type of ceiling includes specifying at least one of a generally flat, sloped or beamed ceiling, and the identifying the fire protection information further includes specifying a protection area measurement as including at least one of 144 square feet; 196 square feet; 256 square feet; 288 square feet; 320 square feet; or 400 square feet.  
     
     
       80. The method of claim 79, wherein specifying the rated K-factor comprises specifying a plurality of rated K-factors including nominally 4 and 5.  
     
     
       81. The method of claim 79, wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the at least one type of residential fire sprinklers as comprising a fire sprinkler selected from a group consisting of one of residential pendant sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 5, sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 4, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
       82. The method of claim 81, wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.9 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 15 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 20 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       83. The method of claim 81, wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential sidewall type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of protected areas, the plurality of flow rates including about at least 12 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144 square feet; about at least 16 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 196 or 256 square feet; about at least 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 288 square feet; or about at least 23 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 320 square feet.  
     
     
       84. The method of claim 81, wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 13 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 22 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       85. The method of claim 81, wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 24 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       86. The method of claim 81, wherein identifying the fire protection information includes identifying the minimum flow rate comprises a plurality of flow rates for two residential pendent type sprinklers each with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to respective dry pipes of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 14 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; or about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet.  
     
     
       87. A method of specifying a residential sprinkler for use in a dry pipe sprinkler system of a residential unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the method comprising:
 providing a residential fire sprinkler for installation in a network of pipes to be filled with a pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is in an unactuated condition so that the pipes are dry, the pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof, the residential sprinkler having a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the network of pipes and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition, the residential fire sprinkler being a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) and including a water delivery time of fifteen seconds following sprinkler activation for each type of residential fire sprinkler, the tests including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including:
 a room with a nominally eight foot generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture being oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; 
 a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; 
 a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; 
 a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; 
 a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; 
 and a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein 
   when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.;   specifying a type of ceiling consonant with the specified sprinkler, the type of ceiling including: flat, sloped, beamed or a combination thereof;   specifying a coverage area for each type of ceiling specified, including specifying a plurality of design areas to be protected in the residential unit; and   identifying for the unit a dry design area and hydraulic demand for the dry pipe system based upon a minimum quantity and location of the residential sprinklers that are used to determine a hydraulic demand calculation for a wet system having a wet design area designed under guidelines set forth by at least one of 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D and 13R, such that the hydraulic demand of the dry pipe system is the same as the hydraulic demand for the wet system and the dry design area of the dry system is the same as the wet design area of the wet system.    
     
     
       88. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes specifying at least one of the following: (a) spacing between two or more of the residential fire sprinkler; (b) rated K-factor of the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler from nominally 4 to 6; (c) minimum flow rate per sprinkler; (e) pressure of fluid being supplied to the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler; and (f) temperature at which the at least one type of residential fire sprinkler activates.  
     
     
       89. The method of claim 87, wherein the specifying the type of ceiling and coverage area includes specifying a protection area measurement including at least one of 144 square feet; 196 square feet; 256 square feet; 288 square feet; 320 square feet; or 400 square feet.  
     
     
       90. The method of claim 87, wherein providing the residential sprinkler includes providing a sprinkler selected from a group consisting of one of residential pendant sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 5, sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of 4, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
       91. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.9 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 15 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 20 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       92. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential sidewall type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of protected areas, the plurality of flow rates including about at least 12 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144 square feet; about at least 16 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 196 or 256 square feet; about at least 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 288 square feet; or about at least 23 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 320 square feet.  
     
     
       93. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a horizontal ceiling with a maximum rise of two inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 13 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 22 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       94. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for a residential pendent type sprinkler with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to at least one dry pipe of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 17 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; about 19 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet; or about 24 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 400 square feet.  
     
     
       95. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the hydraulic demand includes identifying a plurality of minimum flow rates for two residential pendent type sprinklers each with a rated K-factor of 4.2 when connected to respective dry pipes of the network of pipes in one of the plurality of design protection areas having a sloped ceiling with a maximum rise of eight inches per foot of run, the plurality of flow rates including about 14 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 144, 196, or 256 square feet; or about 18 gallons per minute for a protected area of about 324 square feet.  
     
     
       96. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the hydraulic demand is further based upon the type of ceiling specified such that identifying the hydraulic demand includes specifying the maximum spacing between residential sprinklers, a deflector to ceiling spacing for the residential sprinklers and a flow rate with a residual pressure for the residential sprinklers, the specifying a coverage area including specifying a maximum coverage area.  
     
     
       97. The method of claim 87, further comprising communicating over a suitable medium including a computer with a graphical user interface such that the providing, specifying and identifying facilitate a design process.  
     
     
       98. The method of claim 87, wherein specifying a plurality of design areas to be protected in the unit includes specifying that each of the areas defining a design protection area having a dimension of X by Y, wherein X is any value ranging from about 10 feet to about 20 feet and Y is any value ranging from about 10 feet to about 24 feet.  
     
     
       99. A method of designing a dry pipe residential fire protection system using hydraulic demand criteria of a wet pipe residential fire sprinkler system based on one or more fire protection standards, the dry system being for a residential dwelling unit having a fluid supply source defined by a flow and pressure and a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the method comprising:
 determining a minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers for installation in a network of pipes to be filled with a pressurized gas when the residential sprinklers are in an unactuated condition so that the pipes are dry, the pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof, the residential sprinkler having a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the network of pipes and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition, the residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one of the fire protection standards including UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), so as to be approved for use in wet pipe residential fire protection systems for a piping network filled with water in a wet pipe fire sprinkler system arranged to protect the plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the determining of the minimum quantity and location of the residential sprinklers being based upon hydraulic demand design criteria for the wet system designed under guidelines set forth by the applicable fire protection standards for the unit, such that the determining the minimum quantity includes: determining a wet design area of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system;   determining a number of sprinklers for the wet system so as to comply with a sprinkler coverage requirement for each compartment;   determining a hydraulic demand for each compartment in the wet system including determining the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system;   determining that the flow and pressure of the fluid supply source satisfies the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system; and   specifying the minimum quantity and location of residential fire sprinklers, as determined, for the dry system having a dry design area that is the same as the wet design area of the wet pipe fire sprinkler system.    
     
     
       100. A dry pipe residential fire protection system for a residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in one or more of the fire protection standards, the fire protection standards being: 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R, the system comprising:
 a fluid supply located proximate the residential dwelling unit, the fluid supply having a flow and pressure;   a network of pipes coupled to the fluid supply, the network of pipes including at least one pipe extending over each of the compartments, the network of pipes to be filled with a pressurized gas so that the pipes are dry, the pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof;   a minimum quantity of residential fire sprinklers, each of the residential fire sprinklers having a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the network of pipes and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition, the residential fire sprinklers meeting the approval requirements of at least one of the fire protection standards including UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for use in a wet pipe fire sprinkler system design for protection of the plurality of compartments designed under guidelines set forth by the applicable fire protection standards for the unit, the residential fire sprinklers having a location adjacent each of the compartments and coupled to the network of pipes so that, upon actuation of at least one residential fire sprinkler, fluid is delivered from fluid supply to the compartments within a first time period, the location satisfying a hydraulic demand of the wet system design for each compartment as determined under the guidelines, the location further satisfying the highest hydraulic demand of the wet system design determined under the guidelines when the minimum number of residential sprinklers are supplied with a fluid from the fluid supply, the minimum quantity of residential sprinklers being equivalent to a number of sprinklers for the wet system design so as to comply with a sprinkler coverage requirement for each compartment under the guidelines; and   a dry design area that is the same as a wet design area in the wet pipe fire sprinkler system design.    
     
     
       101. The system of claim 100, wherein the hydraulic demand for the wet system for each compartment is defined by a hydraulic demand of a residential sprinkler, up to four sprinklers, for a design area of each compartment in the wet system design.  
     
     
       102. The system of claim 100, wherein the hydraulic demand for the wet system for each compartment is defined by a hydraulic demand of a residential sprinkler, up to two sprinklers, for a design area of each compartment in the wet system design.  
     
     
       103. The system of claim 100, wherein the residential sprinklers are of a type of at least one of vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented satisfying actual fire tests in accordance with UL 1626 (October 2003), the actual fire test being performed in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003) for each type of residential fire sprinkler including three tests each being performed in an arrangement including: a room with nominally eight feet generally horizontal or flat ceiling and simulated furniture, the arrangement defining a rectangular-shaped coverage area with first and second parallel walls whose length are longer than third and fourth walls that extend orthogonally to each of the first and second walls, the third and fourth walls being provided with a first opening with 35 inches of width and a second opening with 41 inches of width, the tests including two sprinklers spaced apart over a first distance to provide liquid distribution over the coverage area and a third sprinkler proximate the second opening, the simulated furniture is oriented in an orthogonal configuration so as to generally surround a wood crib, one corner of the coverage area being distal to the first opening; a first thermocouple being located 0.25 inches above the ceiling and 10 inches diagonally from the one corner; a second thermocouple being located in the geometric center of the room and three inches below the ceiling; a first of the fire testing arrangements being for a vertically-oriented type sprinkler, a third thermocouple being located three inches below the ceiling and eight inches from a first sprinkler in the first testing arrangement located nearest the simulated furniture, the first sprinkler being located at a distance L from a second sprinkler in the first testing arrangement so that the first sprinkler is located at one-half L from the third wall with the first opening, a third sprinkler in the first testing arrangement being located three feet from the second wall and four inches from the second opening; a second of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers in the second testing arrangement being mounted in the wall distal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W so that the first sprinkler in the second testing arrangement is nearest the first opening and located at a distance of one-half W to the third wall having the first opening, the second sprinkler being about nominally eight feet from a third sprinkler mounted on the third wall, and a third thermocouple of the second testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the second testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor; and a third of the fire testing arrangements being for horizontally-oriented type sprinklers, first and second sprinklers of the third fire testing arrangement being mounted in the wall proximal to the simulated furniture and spaced apart over a distance W along the proximal wall, a third thermocouple of the third testing arrangement being located directly across from the first sprinkler of the third testing arrangement at a distance of one-half the width of the room, at three inches below the ceiling and 5 feet and one-quarter inches above the floor, wherein when further in the first, second, and third testing arrangements, a fire source is ignited in accordance with UL Standard 1626 (October 2003), the residential fire sprinklers provide, in a maximum water delivery time of fifteen seconds of actuation of at least one sprinkler, a predetermined water flow rate over the coverage area to limit the maximum temperature measured by the second and third thermocouples to less than or equal to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (F.), the maximum temperature measured by the third thermocouple to be less than or equal to 200 degrees F. and less than or equal to 130 degrees F. for any continuous duration of more than two minutes, the maximum temperature measured by the first thermocouple being less than or equal to 500 degrees F.  
     
     
       104. The system of claim 100, wherein the first time period comprises about 10 seconds.  
     
     
       105. The system of claim 100, wherein the first time period comprises about 15 seconds.  
     
     
       106. The system of claim 100, wherein the residential fire sprinklers include a residential pendant type fire sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally 4.  
     
     
       107. The system of claim 100, wherein the residential fire sprinkler comprises a residential sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally 4.  
     
     
       108. A residential dwelling unit fire protection system, the residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standard 13D, the fire protection system comprising:
 a supply of pressurized fluid located proximate the dwelling unit;   a network of pipes in fluid communication with the fluid supply, the network of pipes including at least one pipe extending over each of the compartments, the at least one pipe being filled generally with a pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof so that the at least one pipe is dry; and   a quantity of residential fire sprinklers located adjacent each of the compartments, each of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers having a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the at least one pipe filled with the pressurized gas and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition so that, upon actuation of at least one fire sprinkler of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers, fluid is delivered from fluid supply to the compartments within a first time period, wherein the quantity of residential fire sprinklers is based on a calculated hydraulic demand for all residential fire sprinklers in a wet fire protection system, up to two sprinklers, having the highest calculated demand within a compartment.    
     
     
       109. A residential dwelling unit fire protection system, the residential dwelling unit having a plurality of compartments as defined in the 2002 National Fire Protection Association Standards 13 and 13R, the fire protection system comprising:
 a supply of pressurized fluid located proximate the dwelling unit;   a network of pipes in fluid communication with the fluid supply, the network of pipes including at least one pipe extending over each of the compartments, the at least one pipe being filled generally with a pressurized gas consisting of air, nitrogen or a combination thereof so that the at least one pipe is dry; and   a quantity of residential fire sprinklers located adjacent each of the compartments, each of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers having a body with an inlet, an outlet defining a passageway between the inlet and the outlet along a sprinkler axis, a deflector affixed to the body so as to be spaced from and generally aligned with the outlet and the sprinkler axis, a closure positioned proximate the outlet and a heat responsive trigger to retain the closure proximate the outlet and occlude the passageway so that the passageway is filled with the pressurized gas when the residential sprinkler is coupled to the at least one pipe filled with the pressurized gas and the heat responsive trigger is in an unactuated condition so that, upon actuation of at least one fire sprinkler of the quantity of residential fire sprinklers, fluid is delivered from fluid supply to the compartments within a first time period, wherein the quantity of residential fire sprinklers is based on a calculated hydraulic demand for all residential fire sprinklers in a wet fire protection system, up to four sprinklers, having the highest calculated demand within a compartment.    
     
     
       110. The system of any one of claims 108 and 109, wherein the first time period comprises about 15 seconds.  
     
     
       111. The system of any one of claims 108 and 109, wherein the residential fire sprinklers include a residential pendant type fire sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally 4.  
     
     
       112. The system of any one of claims 108 and 109, wherein the residential fire sprinkler comprises a residential sidewall sprinkler having a rated K-factor of at least nominally 4.