A fire protection method includes providing a plurality of pendent control mode specific application extended coverage fire protection sprinklers as components of a fire protection sprinkler system for a storage area defined by a storage height of at least 25 feet and a building height of at least 30 feet. Each sprinkler has a thermally responsive element, a deflector, and a K-factor of at least 25.2 gpm/(psi)1/2, and is connected to a piping network at a height greater than the storage height. When each sprinkler is activated, a fluid is supplied to the sprinkler from the piping network at a pressure of at least 30 pounds per square inch, and is delivered to a coverage area of greater than 110 and up to and including 196 square feet per sprinkler. A design operating area of the sprinkler system is up to six sprinklers or 1200 square feet.