US 6,158,519 A · Fire suppression method and apparatus

Abstract

A fire suppression method and apparatus has a sprinkler head support bracket which is installable immediately above a ceiling tile. The support bracket is configured with a plurality of openings such that multiple locations for the sprinkler head may be used and the exact "center of tile" installation of the sprinkler head can be accomplished with a wide variety of suspended ceiling assemblies and sprinkler heads. The support bracket rests on grid support members and arches over the ceiling tile. Hold down clips are provided to maintain the bracket in position relative to the grid support members. A pipe clamp is provided which is insertable within the bracket to retain a drop nipple within it. The drop nipple is adjustable relative to the horizontal to move it upwardly or downwardly relative to the ceiling tile. In this fashion, the vertical location of the sprinkler head can be adjusted depending upon the elevation of the ceiling tiles used and the style of sprinkler head used. The drop nipple is attached to a flexible armover connector which allows for an almost infinite number of locations that can be used to connect the drop nipple to the supply line of the fire suppression system.

Claims12

Dependent claims

For use in a fire suppression system, said system being located at and above a grid of like-dimensioned ceiling tiles and ceiling tile support T-bars and having at least one fixed fluid supply line and a plurality of sprinkler heads for dispersing fluid at and below said ceiling tile grid, an apparatus for locating sprinkler heads within a ceiling tile grid which comprises

means for locating a sprinkler head at the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile contained within the grid, said sprinkler head locating means comprising a sprinkler head support bracket which is functionally adapted to overlay a ceiling tile within the grid and to be supported by two opposing ceiling tile support T-bars to either side of said tile, said sprinkler head support bracket including a plurality of holes defined within said bracket, said holes corresponding to the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile,
means for adjustably setting the depth of the sprinkler head relative to said ceiling tile, and
a flexible hose connecting the sprinkler head to said fixed fluid supply line.

A method for locating sprinkler heads used in a fire suppression system, said system being located at and above a grid of like-dimensioned ceiling tiles and ceiling tile support T-bars and having at least one fixed fluid supply line and a plurality of sprinkler heads for dispersing fluid at and below said ceiling grid, which comprises the steps of

providing a means for locating a sprinkler head at the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile contained within the grid,
providing a ceiling tile having like-dimensioned geometrical subdivisions,
locating a sprinkler head at the exact center of any of such geometrical subdivisions, said sprinkler head locating step comprises providing a sprinkler head support bracket which is functionally adapted to overlay a ceiling tile within the grid to be supported by two opposing ceiling tile support T-bars to either side of said tile, said support bracket having a plurality of holes defined within said bracket which correspond to the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile and which correspond to the exact centers of the geometrical subdivisions of said ceiling tiles
providing means for adjustably setting the depth of the sprinkler head relative to said ceiling tile, and
providing a flexible hose for connecting the sprinkler head to said fixed fluid supply line.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fire suppression method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Fire suppression method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12