sorry, the function betrays the name. I could not think of a way to activate them automatically, so I assigned destroy keys to the fusible elements in the sprinklers (the bulb in the case of the Glass-bulb head). even though they don't activate "automatically", they still function in the same manner as real sprinkler heads, except without the automation.
i'm not necessarily a mine expert, but i see no reason for it to be sideways, or fire sideways. as for sticking in the ground, i designed it to be movable, so users can use it in different scenes, as the setup provided is only an example.