Define Drops/Sprigs or Ceiling Height

Define Drop/Sprink CH 1

Layer(s): SPRNKS

Shortcut: DW

Associated: Show System Model / Check Elevation / Ceiling Height

Ribbon: Elevate Panel

Define Drop/Sprink CH 2

Specify drop, sprig (candlestick), double drop and/or ceiling elevations. This command is also found on the Ceiling toolbar and the 3D Modeling toolbar.

As many of these ceiling or drop/sprig definitions can be placed on the drawing as are needed. The smaller (more exclusive) windows take precedence over the larger ones. For example, one large window could be placed over the entire floor, specifying the typical drop length or ceiling height for the majority of the pendent heads. Smaller windows can be placed over individual heads or groups of heads defining a different drop length or ceiling elevation. The smallest window takes priority.

You may either specify the exact drop or sprig length that you want or you may define the ceiling heights for given rooms and have the software determine the lengths for you.

Only heads defined as On a Drop are affected by the Drop windows. Only heads defined as On a Sprig are affected by Sprig windows. Heads that are Attached Directly to a Line or Main are affected by neither and will not create errors if they are included within such windows.

If there are drop or sprig sprinkler heads that are not contained within a window, a default length of 1 foot will be assigned those heads.

Starting the command will open the Drops & Springs dialog box.

Define Drop/Sprink CH 3

Select the Type with the radio buttons or toggle through the images in the graphic.

Select the Length Determination with the radio buttons. Computer Generated will set the sprinkler elevations at the specified Ceiling Height and calculate the appropriate drop/sprig length to achieve this.

For an automatic determination you will have to define the elevations of your top of steel (for sprigs), your ceiling (for drops) and your pipes.

Specified Length will allow you to manually enter the drop or sprig length. Enter with the keyboard or select from the abacus.

Depending on the selection, you will be able to input the Deflector distance below the deck or the Ceiling Height up from the floor.

Use the Shape of Defining Box options to choose how you will specify the Drop or Sprig area. Rectangular will require two picks. Use Non-Rectangular to define an area with multiple picks.

Use Insert Note to insert the text in the available field. Press Insert to define the area.

Here is an example with drop pendents. The Ceiling Elevation is at 8’-0”.

Define Drop/Sprink CH 4

The drop was automatically calculated as 1’-4” with a 9’-0” branch and a 4” riser.

When you switch to 3D and then back to 2D, the drop or sprig lengths are calculated and displayed if they are Computer Generated.

Annotation Options opens a dialog box where you can edit the drop or sprig label appearance.

Define Drop/Sprink CH 5

Check if you want a Sprig or Drop Prefix or Suffix with the available checkboxes. Enter your Prefixes or Suffixes in the fields. Press Apply to save the current settings or Cancel to exit.

Adjust the settings and Update Now to execute the changes. If you have a preferred setup, use Save As Default to create a backup. Use Load Defaults to retrieve the current Default.

To get a Double Drop where the branch line drop is a fixed distance and the sprinkler drop is automatic, insert fixed length drop pipes at the branch lines with the Riser Nipple Setup command. Then, insert a Computer-Generated Drop window where the ceiling height is specified.

Define Drop/Sprink CH 6