INSTALLATION GUIDE TO JG INNOVATIONS – INTERIOR STEEL SOFFIT SYSTEMS

Forward - Our custom interior soffit systems have been designed to conceal any type, size or combination of Fire Sprinkler Systems, Plumbing, Hydronic Piping, HVAC, Electrical or Cable/IT Wiring. There are presently four types of interior steel soffit offered; Architectural, Aesthetic, Commercial, and Security Grade, which should accommodate most project needs. Our Architectural, Aesthetic, and Commercial soffit systems are typically installed where aesthetics are the primary concern. Examples include buildings of residential/commercial/educational occupancy such as Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Hotels, Apartment Buildings, K-12 Educational Facilities, Universities, Greek Housing and Dormitories. On the other hand, our security soffit system is designed for Psychiatric Facilities, Prisons, Jails, Detention Centers, Institutions and other facilities where security is the pressing need. There are minimal differences between our Architectural/Aesthetic/Commercial/Security Soffit systems. Our Architectural, Aesthetic and Commercial lines utilize slip couplings for proper fastening of seams and are typically comprised of light to medium duty material; whereas our Security soffit system is manufactured in a heavier gauge material and requires riveted joints where seams occur.

The different installation procedures for these two systems are identified within the text of this guide. As fire sprinkler piping system installations generally entail more complete and specific concerns, restrictions, and details (specific sprinkler head locations, etc.), this guide will address the installation of our interior steel soffit systems as it is intended to accommodate fire sprinkler systems.

Handling and Storage - Reasonable care must be exercised in handling our steel soffit systems and accessories. Take caution to not drop the shield or any objects on the shield itself in order to minimize dents and damages. It is strongly recommended that our interior steel soffit systems and fittings should not be stored in a manner which compresses the components or would distort their shape.

Recommended Tools- One of the keys to a fast, smooth, and efficient installation of our interior steel soffit systems are having the proper tools to work with. Ideally, these tools would include:

1. Aviation Shears/Snips for cutting lighter gauge material (24 Gauge). A hand seamer or hand break also assists with custom fabrications. Plasma cutter, die grinder, jigsaw, or saber saw may be used for heavier gauges.
2. Carbide tipped hole saw with power drill (1/2" chuck, high RPM). Standard sprinkler head cut-outs: 2" to 2 3/4".
3. Rotary hammer drill with 3/16" x 8" SDS carbide tipped bits for anchoring cover clips into concrete.
4. High speed rotary drill for drilling rivet holes and sprinkler head holes.

Additional Suggested Tools include:

• 8" x 12" steel frame square
• Combination square (for measuring angles)
• Medium rubber mallet or dead blow hammer
• Pry bar/nail puller
• 25’ tape measure
• Cordless drill
• Caulk gun
• Steel file for deburring

Required Accessories:

• Pop rivets (1/8" diameter x 1/4" length)
• Substrate appropriate anchors/fasteners
• Commercial Grade (Sonneborn® NP-1) or Institutional Grade (Sonneborn® Ultra) Sealant
• Safety glasses and leather belts

Assembly- The following order of steps is recommended when installing fire sprinkler systems in conjunction with any of our interior steel soffits.

1. Piping and sprinkler layout and soffit covers, fittings, clip planning. For large projects (1,000ft or more), a mock-up installation is recommended.
2. Pipe hanger and soffit system shield clip placement and anchoring.
3. Piping installation.
4. Piping system testing.
5. Interior steel soffit covers, fitting fabrication, and installation.
6. Finishing.

STEP 1: Planning -

Our Architectural/Aesthetics/Commercial/Security soffit systems are prefabricated, custom-fitted interior soffit systems; therefore soffit dimensions and locations must be determined prior to installation. The soffit dimensions and locations are the sole responsibility of the pipe/utility installer as soffit dimensions and locations are entirely dependent on the pipe/utility installation. Soffit dimensions can be derived from both the size of the pipe/utility and its centerline in conjunction with the wall and/or ceiling. All soffit dimensions and locations must be clearly indicated on the pipe/utility shop drawings prior to soffit installation. In doing so, any deviance from the pipe/utility installer shop drawings by the pipe/utility installer or the soffit installer can then be easily tracked.

The pipe hangers and cover system installation must be cross-checked for system compatibility (i.e. pipe location and clip locations as required by Steps 2, 3 and 5). The underlying support system for our interior steel soffit system’s installation must fulfill the individual support requirements of both the pipe and the shield. (Pipe support and support spacing must be in accordance with piping manufacturer’s guidelines where applicable). Soffit material support spacing must be in accordance with the maximum allowable spacing between supports as specified herein (See Step 2.2).

STEP 2: Hangers & Clips -

IMPORTANT: A chalk line should be employed to assure all hangers and clips are installed in a straight line. When employing the L-Shield centerline, distance of the pipe hanger from the wall is critical for fitting piping within the shield.

2.1 Hangers- Pipe hangers must be of a design compatible with the dimensional constraints of the steel soffit material used. When using an L-Design shield, the pipe should be anchored firmly (minimum 200# pullout) to the wall within 2 feet of any sprinkler outlet.

2.2 Clips- Each of our two classic soffit material designs (L-Shield and U-Shield) entails the use of shield clips for soffit material support. To ensure proper attachment of the steel soffit material, alignment of clips must be perpendicular to the pipe run and should be flat against the mounting surface before anchoring. The clip is designed as a snap-on positioning and structural support for the cover and certain fittings. These clips should be installed to observe the following spacing maximums between cover supports. In areas with inconsistent substrates, clip placement will be dependent upon “high” and “low” spots as illustrated in Section 5.5 of this installation guide.

The clip should be located such as that the tip of its catch point will rest in the bottom of the cover catch point once assembled to minimize lineal distortion to the soffit material. Proper clip placement is best attained through the use of chalk lines.

Please note: Chalk lines for clip fastener placement should ordinarily be snapped 1-7/8” less than the exterior dimensions of soffit faces. For example:

• L-Shield soffit with dimensions of 6”h (down from the ceiling) x 4”w (out from the wall) will require a chalk line on the wall 4-1/8 ” down from the ceiling and a chalk line on the ceiling 2- 1/8” out from the wall.
• U-Shield soffit with dimensions of 6”h (down from ceiling) x 6”w (width between sides) x 6”h (back up to ceiling) will be dependent on the centerline of the pipe/utility to be covered. Once the centerline of the pipe/utility has been established, measure out for the chalk lines on both sides of the centerline 1-1/8” [3” (half the width) minus 1-7/8”].

L-Shield

U-Shield

For commercial installations and applications in which drywall or plaster comprise the cover mounting surface, ZIP-ITS or hollow wall anchors can be used. After hollow wall anchors are in place, the shield clips can be fastened with # 10 x 1 1/4” sheet metal screws that have a # 2 Phillips pan head.

When installing the L-shield, it is functional to use an 8" x 12” steel frame square as a template. Once you determine the proper position of the shield clip from the wall or ceiling, use the square to measure the distance from wall/ceiling juncture to the location of the pre-drilled anchor hole in the clip. Then simply drill holes in the steel frame square to serve as your template for drilling anchor holes. Check your work by using a level to assure the vertical side is plumb when assembled. If not, the inside corners and T-intersections cannot be made to be square, resulting in large and unsightly gaps.

All coupling joints should be supported within twelve (12) inches by a clip and each separate shield fitting should be likewise supported. Anchoring for shield clips must be of sufficient strength to hold the shield firmly against the mounting surface when the shield is snapped into the clips, in addition to withstanding a minimum pullout of 200 pounds. Individual back to top side and bottom clips for both L- shield and U-Shield profile should have lineal offset (alternating). Shield clips may be anchored in concrete structures using 1-1/4" or 1-1/2” Tap-Con screws or expansion shields.