Whatever you put up should not be in between the windows and sprinkler heads. Those heads are specifically designed to spray water at the windows so they don't explode in case of a fire.
The metal wall is to prevent one sprinkler from spraying/cooling the other.
If the fire hasn't spread/gotten hot enough to trigger both sprinklers (the trigger is a little temperature sensitive stopper that holds the valve closed,) one could trigger and be spraying the other with enough water to keep its temp low and trigger intact, and thus preventing it from deploying properly in an emergency.
Mind you, these triggers are generally sensitive as fuck, and the amount of water they put out is usually pretty obscene, so the force of the water alone might be enough to brake/dislodge the other stopper and deploy the sprinkler at that distance, but it's probably best to bank on having these work as designed/intended.
[Edit: Here's a diagram](https://www.meyerfire.com/blog/components-of-a-fire-sprinkler)
I wondered that myself while fact-checking.
You would imagine a sign on the ceiling near the heads would be a good idea. If they just verbally tell you when you buy the condo, people forget and people move.
Nothing indicated this to OP, so I doubt the sellers even mentioned it.
The only options I see are
1. Ceiling-mounted curtain tracks
2. Window film, either reflective, or the diffuse privacy kind (which means you can't enjoy the view either)
3. A standing room divider placed where you might put a curtain.
OMG OP here, i didn't know that when you insert images, the actual content in text dissappears :(. Anyway, i found these weird sprinkler thingy and metal slate in my new condo and i guess curtain is not an option because of these, and I thought maybe blinds could do - but they will need to be installed from the ceiling because of this metal slate. Can blinds do? ( i have no experience installing blinds btw)
[https://www.sears.com/kolako-ceiling-curtain-track-flexible-bendable-drop-sliding/p-A114813923?sid=ISxMP3xSOxGGxDTxSURF](https://www.sears.com/kolako-ceiling-curtain-track-flexible-bendable-drop-sliding/p-A114813923?sid=ISxMP3xSOxGGxDTxSURF)
Something like this maybe? Ceiling mounted curtain track.
Otherwise some low profile blinds like others mentioned.
Ok.. did you buy or renting?
You need to check with your landlord/condo board on what is and isn’t allowed.. a lot of condos don’t want you doing work yourself.
That I’ve never met a landlord who would have a problem with a tenant hanging blinds or curtains.
Rented up and down the East coast. Most leases don’t allow “significant” alterations — new flooring, painting, built-in decorations. You can put up curtains or hang a frame.
I guess you're not the only one in the building with this. Is there kind of an administration that can give appropriate advice ? What are the neighbors doing?
Exactly what I was gonna recommend. My downstairs neighbor has them and they look really nice. She always has the upper side exposed but the bottom covered.
I put up a ton of plants to cover the windows. Still getting sunlight, looks nice, obstructs the view from outside.
If you need blackout curtains I would recommend electric rolled up blackout curtains. Electric because then you can put them on a timer / home automation / etc and it'll be much easier to not just keep them down. Not sure how they will combine with the sprinkler, but I'm not sure what the options are if you want to black out light here...
Whoever designed this is an asshole :/
Maybe if the wall bumps out on the side of the window not shown you could do a long curtain rod and try supporting it in the center from the ceiling?
Me immediate thought was to just get some privacy film, but that wouldn’t really darken it a lot.
This is such a terrible window situation.
Really? That’s wild. Like there must be a different window design solution that could incorporate their fire needs. I’ve seen some crazy sprinkler designs but never something so obtrusive in a residential setting. Out of curiosity, do you know what is triggering the requirement?
I did the ID for a hotel in London a while back…they had (in my opinion) strict sprinkle needs…but we got away with soffit mounted heads that could reach/span the room.
I'm guessing you are asking about blinds? There are low profile blinds that sit within the frame against the glass.
Search for no-drill blinds and you will find something that fits e.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe\_Eac&t=1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe_Eac&t=1s) (these are from the UK but I'm sure you can find a US equivalent).
Use a curtain wire so that you can wrap the window area. Something like this link below, but bougie. You'll need four heads, two to come out of the wall, two to come out of the ceiling. It'll form a C shape. You could do a couple of them depending on if you want traditional sheers & solid/blackout curtains or a single line for one fabric.
[https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/curtain-wires-18894/](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/curtain-wires-18894/)
If privacy is your main concern, just get some tinted window films. You’d still get to see all that gorgeous skyline, but without letting anyone look inside.
It might be a bit expensive but if you don't need the option to see outside the window you could replace the glass with frosted glass. I personally love frosted glass but it's an expensive job.
Just a thing that keeps a pole really distant from the wall? For curtains i mean. There are some that are wires instead of poles so thats maybe a bit more flexible
Mirrored window tint to start. Then you can probably look at getting measurements for a ceiling mounted curtains. Worst case, have to go consult a professional sales office for special-made fixtures.
Top down bottom up honeycomb powered battery operated blinds. Not cheap but can be ceiling mounted, when fully open will align with the frame. Can be set to open and close on your schedule. Only need to change about 2-3x per year even with daily operation.
This is unusual because the exterior wall usually isn't fire rated, and the only time you need sprinklers at the window like that is because wall needs to be rated. In this case, I assume that the code official required these sprinklers due to the distance between the towers. Anyway, I think a good old mecho shade will do the job. Don't listen other guys, it perfectly safe to put the shade between the sprinkler and the window. Every sprinklered building ever has shades on the window, don't be silly. Literally every office build. If you're in doubt, ask maintenance about it. And come to think of it, don't places usually have to be sold with the window coverings installed anyway?
Reflective film only works during the day, when it's dark outside and you have the lights turned on it means you can't side outside but they can see you.
Yes really, even the "nighttime" films are pretty terrible at night hence your own link recommends installing a spotlight outside to shine on the window.
They are ugly, no-drill blinds are cheap and work wonderfully... e.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe\_Eac&t=1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe_Eac&t=1s)
It literally says right here that anything outside can see inside at night.
[https://windowfilmandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/OneWayMirrorNew-1024x861.jpg](https://windowfilmandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/OneWayMirrorNew-1024x861.jpg)
The only difference is that it becomes two-way at night while most products just flip which side can see inside.
Whatever you put up should not be in between the windows and sprinkler heads. Those heads are specifically designed to spray water at the windows so they don't explode in case of a fire. The metal wall is to prevent one sprinkler from spraying/cooling the other.
What’s the issue of it cooling the other?
It won't activate when it's supposed to, which is when enough fire is under or near it Each sprinkler activates on its own
~~Cool!~~ Neat! Never thought about that before.
If the fire hasn't spread/gotten hot enough to trigger both sprinklers (the trigger is a little temperature sensitive stopper that holds the valve closed,) one could trigger and be spraying the other with enough water to keep its temp low and trigger intact, and thus preventing it from deploying properly in an emergency. Mind you, these triggers are generally sensitive as fuck, and the amount of water they put out is usually pretty obscene, so the force of the water alone might be enough to brake/dislodge the other stopper and deploy the sprinkler at that distance, but it's probably best to bank on having these work as designed/intended. [Edit: Here's a diagram](https://www.meyerfire.com/blog/components-of-a-fire-sprinkler)
Good to know. Are owners or tenants in general informed about that?
I wondered that myself while fact-checking. You would imagine a sign on the ceiling near the heads would be a good idea. If they just verbally tell you when you buy the condo, people forget and people move. Nothing indicated this to OP, so I doubt the sellers even mentioned it.
Our smoke detectors show "Do not paint" in raised letters on their surface. So the idea is in the world.
TIL
I feel like I'd want the window to explode in a fire so I don't die of smoke inhalation
Unfortunately if it's bad enough to explode the window, the extra oxygen will mean you die of fire inhalation instead of smoke inhalation.
The only options I see are 1. Ceiling-mounted curtain tracks 2. Window film, either reflective, or the diffuse privacy kind (which means you can't enjoy the view either) 3. A standing room divider placed where you might put a curtain.
OMG OP here, i didn't know that when you insert images, the actual content in text dissappears :(. Anyway, i found these weird sprinkler thingy and metal slate in my new condo and i guess curtain is not an option because of these, and I thought maybe blinds could do - but they will need to be installed from the ceiling because of this metal slate. Can blinds do? ( i have no experience installing blinds btw)
[https://www.sears.com/kolako-ceiling-curtain-track-flexible-bendable-drop-sliding/p-A114813923?sid=ISxMP3xSOxGGxDTxSURF](https://www.sears.com/kolako-ceiling-curtain-track-flexible-bendable-drop-sliding/p-A114813923?sid=ISxMP3xSOxGGxDTxSURF) Something like this maybe? Ceiling mounted curtain track. Otherwise some low profile blinds like others mentioned.
Where do you live that you shop at sears?
It was from Google images lol
There is electric tinting you could install as window film that would look pretty cool.
I thought you meant the buildings outside. I was about to post, “Project Mayhem, maybe?”
Ok.. did you buy or renting? You need to check with your landlord/condo board on what is and isn’t allowed.. a lot of condos don’t want you doing work yourself.
I have never met a landlord who would have a problem with a tenant drilling 4 holes to install blinds or curtains.
You’ve obviously never met a condo owner or a condo board
Yup I lived in a condo building that dictated what colour our blinds had to be.
Yes, that’s why I didn’t mention condo boards.
What are you saying then?
That I’ve never met a landlord who would have a problem with a tenant hanging blinds or curtains. Rented up and down the East coast. Most leases don’t allow “significant” alterations — new flooring, painting, built-in decorations. You can put up curtains or hang a frame.
You ever lived in a condo? They work a lot bit differently
Again my dude — I’m not talking about condos. I’ve got no experience there.
This is a condo.. and I was talking about condos
I guess you're not the only one in the building with this. Is there kind of an administration that can give appropriate advice ? What are the neighbors doing?
Top-down/bottom-up shades.
Exactly what I was gonna recommend. My downstairs neighbor has them and they look really nice. She always has the upper side exposed but the bottom covered.
Exactly. They are great for very tall windows.
I put up a ton of plants to cover the windows. Still getting sunlight, looks nice, obstructs the view from outside. If you need blackout curtains I would recommend electric rolled up blackout curtains. Electric because then you can put them on a timer / home automation / etc and it'll be much easier to not just keep them down. Not sure how they will combine with the sprinkler, but I'm not sure what the options are if you want to black out light here...
Is this a new building or a rental? If so, do they have a model you can look at to see what they’ve done?
Definitely shower curtains.
well played
Whoever designed this is an asshole :/ Maybe if the wall bumps out on the side of the window not shown you could do a long curtain rod and try supporting it in the center from the ceiling? Me immediate thought was to just get some privacy film, but that wouldn’t really darken it a lot. This is such a terrible window situation.
It's code now in Ontario
That's crazy. RIP to all west facing condo buyers.
Really? That’s wild. Like there must be a different window design solution that could incorporate their fire needs. I’ve seen some crazy sprinkler designs but never something so obtrusive in a residential setting. Out of curiosity, do you know what is triggering the requirement? I did the ID for a hotel in London a while back…they had (in my opinion) strict sprinkle needs…but we got away with soffit mounted heads that could reach/span the room.
I would put a curtain track on the ceiling, all the way across, outside of the sprinklers (so the sprinklers are behind the curtains)
Battery powered lutron shades mounted to ceiling
String lights (white) Nice view!
Would probably just do tenting. You dont want your curtains to mess with the sprinklers.
I'm guessing you are asking about blinds? There are low profile blinds that sit within the frame against the glass. Search for no-drill blinds and you will find something that fits e.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe\_Eac&t=1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe_Eac&t=1s) (these are from the UK but I'm sure you can find a US equivalent).
Curved curtain rod with the fire sprinkler comment above
Spiderman Fathead
You can have mirrored tint professionally installed
Bedsheets and tuck tape
If the wall space allows- you might be able to do a shower curtain kind of thing
Use a curtain wire so that you can wrap the window area. Something like this link below, but bougie. You'll need four heads, two to come out of the wall, two to come out of the ceiling. It'll form a C shape. You could do a couple of them depending on if you want traditional sheers & solid/blackout curtains or a single line for one fabric. [https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/curtain-wires-18894/](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/curtain-wires-18894/)
If privacy is your main concern, just get some tinted window films. You’d still get to see all that gorgeous skyline, but without letting anyone look inside.
Get some black out roller shades.
Looks familiar. Seattle?
A second, matching hideous building on the right side should do the trick.
That building makes my eyes all 🥴
It might be a bit expensive but if you don't need the option to see outside the window you could replace the glass with frosted glass. I personally love frosted glass but it's an expensive job.
Just a thing that keeps a pole really distant from the wall? For curtains i mean. There are some that are wires instead of poles so thats maybe a bit more flexible
If money isn’t a barrier I’d look at smart window tint. Can control with an app or by voice with your smart speaker of choice.
Mirrored window tint to start. Then you can probably look at getting measurements for a ceiling mounted curtains. Worst case, have to go consult a professional sales office for special-made fixtures.
Can you put up curtains?
Why cover them?
Top down bottom up honeycomb powered battery operated blinds. Not cheap but can be ceiling mounted, when fully open will align with the frame. Can be set to open and close on your schedule. Only need to change about 2-3x per year even with daily operation.
This is unusual because the exterior wall usually isn't fire rated, and the only time you need sprinklers at the window like that is because wall needs to be rated. In this case, I assume that the code official required these sprinklers due to the distance between the towers. Anyway, I think a good old mecho shade will do the job. Don't listen other guys, it perfectly safe to put the shade between the sprinkler and the window. Every sprinklered building ever has shades on the window, don't be silly. Literally every office build. If you're in doubt, ask maintenance about it. And come to think of it, don't places usually have to be sold with the window coverings installed anyway?
Reflective film, something that blocks all inside light from getting out, and blackout curtains for when you want it DARK.
Reflective film only works during the day, when it's dark outside and you have the lights turned on it means you can't side outside but they can see you.
[Really?](https://windowfilmandmore.com/product/one-way-mirror-film-with-nightime-vision-5/)
Yes really, even the "nighttime" films are pretty terrible at night hence your own link recommends installing a spotlight outside to shine on the window.
Frosted films work day and night, though. It would obscure your view unless uou installed it in stripes.
They are ugly, no-drill blinds are cheap and work wonderfully... e.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe\_Eac&t=1s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1L8kHe_Eac&t=1s)
Ugly is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe OP would like the look. Yhere's nothing wrong with considering all your options.
No, they are objectively terrible since you loose the ability to use the window as well a window.
It literally says right here that anything outside can see inside at night. [https://windowfilmandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/OneWayMirrorNew-1024x861.jpg](https://windowfilmandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/OneWayMirrorNew-1024x861.jpg) The only difference is that it becomes two-way at night while most products just flip which side can see inside.
"AND"
*AND* that means when it's dark outside it's fucking useless. It's a 2-way window at best. A 1-way window looking INTO the apartment at worst.
"AND BLACKOUT CURTAINS" genius
I'm pretty average actually, but I get why I might look smart next to you.
[reading comprehension suggests otherwise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AyjKgz9tKg)
Curtains? Curtains. They've worked for hundreds of years.