--- title: "The Painted Head: A Multifamily Fire Protection Nightmare" description: Multi-family fire protection and sprinkler heads. image: https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Painted-Sprinkler-Head-frame2_002.gif --- Originally posted on 10:50 AM on September 22, 2023 Last updated on October 1, 2024 - [SHOP OUR PARTS STORE](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/?utm_source=cfp_corp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=corp) - [EMERGENCY SERVICE: 866 530 3473](https://www.centuryfp.com/tel:8665303473) - [REQUEST SERVICE](https://info.centuryfp.com/request-for-service) - [EMPLOYEE LOGIN](https://www.centuryfp.com/employee-login/) - [CLIENT LOGIN](https://www.centuryfp.com/client-login/) - [PAY INVOICE](https://pay.supplierpayments.com/payment/e8f8cad4-4f64-448b-8fa1-73ad4b080e77) [![Century_Logo](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/logo.png?width=231&height=137&name=logo.png "Century_Logo")](https://www.centuryfp.com) - [ABOUT](https://www.centuryfp.com/about/) - [ABOUT](https://www.centuryfp.com/about/) - [LEADERSHIP](https://www.centuryfp.com/leadership/) - [SOCIAL PURPOSE](https://www.centuryfp.com/social-purpose/) - [PARTNERING & ACQUISITIONS](https://www.centuryfp.com/partner-with-us/) - [SYSTEMS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/) - [SYSTEMS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/) - [SPRINKLER](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#sprinklers) - [ALARM](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#alarm) - [SPECIAL HAZARDS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#hazards) - [EXTINGUISHERS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#extinguishers) - [SERVICES](https://www.centuryfp.com/services/) - [SERVICES](https://www.centuryfp.com/services/) - [NATIONAL ACCOUNTS](https://www.centuryfp.com/services/#national-accounts) - [VERTICAL MARKETS](https://www.centuryfp.com/vertical-markets/) - [PARTS STORE](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/) - [PARTS STORE](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/) - [CAREERS](https://www.centuryfp.com/careers/) - [CAREERS](https://www.centuryfp.com/careers/) - [CULTURE](https://www.centuryfp.com/culture/) - [EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://www.centuryfp.com/education-training/) - [EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://www.centuryfp.com/education-training/) - [RESOURCE LIBRARY](https://info.centuryfp.com/resources) - [BLOG](https://blog.centuryfp.com) - [CONTACT](https://www.centuryfp.com/contact/) - [CONTACT](https://www.centuryfp.com/contact/) - [LOCATIONS](https://www.centuryfp.com/contact/#Locations) - [SUBMIT A REQUEST](https://info.centuryfp.com/request-for-service) ![Painted-Sprinkler-Head-frame2_002-1](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Painted-Sprinkler-Head-frame2_002-1.gif) # The Painted Head: A Multifamily Fire Protection Nightmare - [Home](https://www.centuryfp.com/) - [Century Fire Protection Blog](https://blog.centuryfp.com) - The Painted Head: A Multifamily Fire Protection Nightmare Posted September 22, 2023 [Tiffany](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/tiffany) [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler) [1 Comment](https://blog.centuryfp.com/the-painted-head-a-multifamily-fire-protection-nightmare#postComment) 2 Minutes So you had all of your fire system inspections last year and made all the necessary repairs. This year you know your systems are in good shape and you expect a good and clean inspection report. Nevertheless, when you receive your report from the most recent fire inspection it has a list of deficiencies a mile long! *How could this be? Everything was fixed last year!* This happens more times than we can count. It’s frustrating and we get it. The fact is, a LOT of things happen over the course of a year that might go unnoticed without performing the annual inspection. Parts go bad and things get damaged; however, the number one issue we observe on multifamily properties is painted sprinkler heads! [DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE TO DEFICIENT SPRINKLER HEADS](https://info.centuryfp.com/deficient-sprinkler-heads) In a perfect world we would come out to your property, perform the annual fire inspection, hang a shiny green tag and tell you that everything is A-OK. Unfortunately, that often is not the case. The truth is, our inspectors spend hours walking through apartment units counting hundreds or even thousands of the painted sprinkler heads that have popped up just since the previous year’s inspection. Even tiny specks of paint on the head can cause them to not go off at the right temperature and put your community and property at risk which is why we yellow tag them. If painted or damaged heads are an issue on your property, find fire sprinkler head replacements in our [Century Fire Parts Store.](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/) The irony that renovations and improvements to your units can result in thousands of dollars in repairs is not lost on us. Fortunately, this problem is easily solved with better communication and collaboration. Preventing painted heads is as simple as placing a plastic bag over each sprinkler head before any sanding or painting. ### We’re on your team! We want to keep you safe and compliant. So, here are a few tips to put an end to painted sprinkler heads: 1. Communicate with your staff and all contractors the importance of protecting the fire sprinkler heads in your buildings. 2. Explain the cost associated with replacement of fire sprinkler heads. 3. Write and enforce a procedure that anyone doing work in your units must follow, whether it’s painting or other work that might cause construction dust. 4. Have contractors working in the unit open windows when painting (spray) or sanding. 5. Inspect the heads in the unit(s) before and after someone performs work and document any changes. By implementing a few of these tips, hopefully you can avoid the most common problem that quickly becomes a nightmare for managers of multifamily properties. [CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE](https://blog.centuryfp.com/sprinkler-system-inspection-testing-frequency) Need help? We are here for you - [contact us here](https://info.centuryfp.com/request-for-service).   [![CTA Deficient Sprinkler Heads Resource-1](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA%20Deficient%20Sprinkler%20Heads%20Resource-1.png?width=600&name=CTA%20Deficient%20Sprinkler%20Heads%20Resource-1.png)](https://info.centuryfp.com/deficient-sprinkler-heads)   The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Every fire protection system is unique, with specific inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements determined by system type, manufacturer specifications, building use, and local regulations. Consult a qualified fire protection professional or your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure compliance with applicable standards. Century Fire Protection assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content. --- #### Tag: [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler) --- #### [The AIM Act and What It Means For Your Fire Suppression System Previous Post](https://blog.centuryfp.com/the-aim-act-and-what-it-means-for-your-fire-suppression-systems) #### [Determine Fire System Inspection and Testing Frequency Next Post](https://blog.centuryfp.com/weighing-the-factors-to-determine-fire-system-inspection-and-testing-frequency/) --- ## Related Posts [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler), [Fire Protection](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-protection) [Kati Bucciero](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/kati-bucciero) 09 September, 2026 #### [Common Fire Sprinkler Head Deficiencies and What They Mean](https://blog.centuryfp.com/common-fire-sprinkler-head-deficiencies) Fire Sprinkler Heads Must Be Ready Fire sprinkler heads are designed to be ready when they're… [Read More](https://blog.centuryfp.com/common-fire-sprinkler-head-deficiencies) [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler), [Fire Protection](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-protection) [Kati Bucciero](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/kati-bucciero) 09 September, 2026 #### [What Causes Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Systems?](https://blog.centuryfp.com/corrosion-in-fire-sprinklers) Weigh the pros and cons of filling your dry sprinkler system with Nitrogen vs. Compressed Air. [Read More](https://blog.centuryfp.com/corrosion-in-fire-sprinklers) [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler), [Fire Suppression](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-suppression), [Fire Alarm](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-alarm), [Extinguishers](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/extinguishers) [Kati Bucciero](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/kati-bucciero) 27 February, 2026 #### [Why Fire Protection Inspection Requirements Are Not One-Size-Fits-All](https://blog.centuryfp.com/fire-protection-inspection-requirements) Did You Know? Fire Protection Systems Don’t All Follow the Same Rules Most people think of fire… [Read More](https://blog.centuryfp.com/fire-protection-inspection-requirements) ### CONTACT 2450 Satellite Boulevard Duluth, GA 30096 p:[770 945 2330](tel:+17709452330) f:[770 945 2651](tel:+17709452651) - [US Privacy Policy](https://info.centuryfp.com/general_privacy_policy) - [California Privacy Policy](https://info.centuryfp.com/ca_privacy_policy) - [Terms of Use](https://info.centuryfp.com/terms_of_use) - Your Privacy Choices ![Great Place to Work GPTW Badge 25-26 Footer (1)](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Great%20Place%20to%20Work%20GPTW%20Badge%2025-26%20Footer%20(1).png) - - - Copyright 2026 Century Fire Protection | All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tiffany", "url" : "https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/tiffany" }, "dateModified" : "2025-10-23T12:37:10.440Z", "datePublished" : "2023-09-22T14:50:07.000Z", "headline" : "The Painted Head: A Multifamily Fire Protection Nightmare", "image" : [ "https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Painted-Sprinkler-Head-frame2_002.gif" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.centuryfp.com/the-painted-head-a-multifamily-fire-protection-nightmare", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/logo.png" }, "name" : "Century Fire Protection, LLC" } } ```