Thanks for all the imput. We are using more and more flex drops due to the labor advantage and ASCE7 considerations. Also gives you nice neat c/c locations with a minimum skill level. We did a new office building with 300 drop heads, required to be centered. Installed all at rough in, tested the system, went back a few weeks later after t-bar and put the heads onto the brackets. Never had to drain the system down or drain the drops, pull plugs, etc. No arm over hangers, no line sag. I think it is here to stay and will get better and better as the products develope. You guys are awesome and very helpfull! Dennis
----- Original Message ----- From: "ParsleyConsulting" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:11 AM Subject: Re: Flex Head Friction loss > KH - > > One other reason that those of us in seismic land are growing more fond > of the flexible drops is the ability to eliminate a hard pipe swing > joint giving us 1" clear movement around a sprinkler in a ceiling, or > those incredibly ugly escutcheons which allow that same amount of > movement. Once we started seeing that requirement, as noted in ASCE7, > it became much more cost effective for us to use them to fit the > allowances in NFPA-13. > > The latest field information I have on an installation of these I > designed a couple of years ago was the delight the property owner had in > not having to drain the system and take it out of service to relocate > the sprinkler on the end of a flexible drop. In the application I'm > referencing, the new sprinkler location was within the length and > tolerance of the flex drop, and rather than drain down the system to > repipe the sprinkler, the installer simply relocated the bracket, and > re-inserted the drop fitting, and it was done. > > Just more anecdotal information, if you will. > -- > PARSLEY CONSULTING > Ken Wagoner, SET > 760.745.6181 voice > 760.745.0537 fax > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> e-mail > www.ParsleyConsulting.com <http://www.ParsleyConsulting.com> website > > > > Ken Holsopple (forum) wrote: >> Rahe, >> >> All the points you made are valid, and I'd like to add two more. Hangers. >> >> In some situations these flexible drops work well and eliminate the need >> for >> additional hangers and restraint. The elimination of trapeze hangers on >> armovers can add up quickly in the cost savings category. Anyone who has >> worked in a building where the electrical conduits and the like are >> embedded >> in the floor above can attest that sometimes finding somewhere to weasel >> a >> hanger up through can be a challenge in and of itself. >> >> One other advantage is being able to test with the sprinkler heads in the >> drops even prior to grid or sheet rock installation. And not waiting till >> all the drops are hard piped. >> >> As far as being able to move sprinklers to accommodate new wall >> layouts....it's case by case. I imagine in 10 years we will all be >> scrounging around for the flex drop cut sheets of a particular model just >> like we do with old dry valves today. When these new installations become >> old installations. >> >> As far as cost....I do believe it is different for every company and a >> sell >> sheet doesn't give the whole picture. It's a SELL SHEET people! If you >> factor in the advantages above...the flexible drop can save a lot of >> headaches and or money. They are AN answer. Not THE answer. And >> definitely >> not always the "cheapest" answer. >> >> These same flex drops may inhibit the use of other advantages like OH EC >> sprinklers. Each situation must be weighed out individually. One size >> does >> not fit all. >> >> I implore you to keep in mind that project may present itself to even you >> Mr. Loftin that "screams" for this kind of technology. >> >> So now that I have kicked the dead horse, I will close with a phrase from >> Mr. Forrest Gump. "That's all I got to say about thaaat" >> >> Ken Holsopple >> Off the Soap Box >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] >> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >> [email protected] >> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:43 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: RE: Flex Head Friction loss >> >> So very well put Ken. One of the many advantages touted by the >> manufacturers and contractors alike is the layout flexibility that >> flexible >> sprinkler fittings provide. I have found that when using even 6 feet >> lengths, there is extremely limited flexibility provided for moving heads >> for wall and room changes. So, using 2 and 3 feet lengths will, in all >> practical senses, not provide the flexibility to move heads at all. >> Looks >> to me like that the chief advantages of flexible sprinkler fittings is >> that >> they are simply less expensive, in regard to labor, and can provide >> center >> of tile layouts. >> >> Otherwise, they could have more friction loss than hard piped systems >> thus >> increasing main sizes in some situations. >> >> Thank You >> >> Rahe Loftin, P.E. >> Region 7 - GSA >> Office - 817-978-7299 >> Fax - 817-978-8644 >> Cell - 817-371-3102 >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sprinklerforum mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum >> >> For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] >> >> To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] >> (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. 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