Flexible Drop Through Gypsum Wall?

3/20/2019

A flexible sprinkler armover is serving a sprinkler in a suspended ceiling, and connects through a gypsum wall to the branchline.

Is there anything that prohibits the flexible drop from running through the wall?

Is a clearance required through that wall?

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4 Comments

JAL

3/20/2019 09:07:18 am

I would consult with the flexible drop manufacturer.
My instinct tells me this is NOT a preferred installation.
The flex drop probably hasn't been tested in this specific situation.
(I've seen this happen when the wall gets boarded around the flex drop vs. moving it out of the way.)

The flex drop will move with the wall...so there's probably no worry about the wall moving independently from the drop during a seismic event.

<Just because it's allowed, doesn't mean it's correct.>

Rusty Scott

3/20/2019 10:15:36 am

Back when I was an installer, a college AHJ made us reconfigure multiple flex drops on a project due to the fact that they were barely touching other objects (for example hvac duct isulation) which I understand to a degree some trades just shouldn't be touched. So I imagine if an authority can pull that card, then I can see why they wouldn't be happy with it going through a wall. But I agree with JAL, first talk with the manufacturer's and go from there.

William

3/20/2019 10:38:43 am

I did consult with a flexible drop manufacturer on a project with rated walls and where the Mechanical contractor was taking up the entire width of a corridor. I was instructed to penetrate the wall with the metal fitting and then flex underneath the Duct work.

PETE

3/21/2019 06:28:31 pm

Clearance would only be required in a seismic zone, and even then a single layer gyp wall on opposing sides in generally considered frangible material. If the wall is fire rated the penetration would require fire stopping. Best practice would probably be to hard pipe to the side the head is on and then pull the flexible whip into a coupling. There's nothing prohibiting the whip passing through the wall that I'm aware of, but do you want to sign your name to it?

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