levysuihku

Levysuihku is a Finnish term that translates to "disc sprinkler" or "plate sprinkler." It refers to a type of sprinkler head used in fire suppression systems, particularly in older installations. Unlike modern sprinkler heads that feature a heat-sensitive element like a glass bulb or fusible link, a levysuihku typically employs a metal disc or plate designed to melt or deform at a specific temperature.

When the ambient temperature rises to the activation point, the metal disc of the levysuihku weakens and eventually breaks, releasing the water held back by a stopper or seal. The water then flows through the sprinkler orifice and onto the fire. The design is relatively simple, relying on the physical properties of the metal to trigger the release of water.

Levysuihku systems are generally considered less reliable and less precise than contemporary sprinkler designs. The activation temperature might be less consistently controlled, and the mechanism can be more susceptible to corrosion or blockage. Due to these limitations, levysuihku sprinkler heads are rarely installed in new construction and are often replaced during upgrades or renovations of existing fire protection systems. Their presence today is usually an indication of an older building that has not yet had its fire suppression system modernized.