AquaFlexÃ‚Â® Stainless Steel Sprinkler Fittings I-AQUAFLEX - Victaulic

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 

I-AQUAFLEX 

AquaFlex ® Stainless Steel Sprinkler Fittings 

WARNING 

• Read and understand all instructions 

before attempting to install any Victaulic 

AquaFlex ® products. 

• Wear safety glasses, hardhat, and foot 

protection during installation. 

Failure to follow these instructions could 

cause improper sprinkler operation, resulting 

in serious personal injury and/or property 

damage. 

WARNING 

• These installation instructions are intended for an experienced, 

trained installer. 

• The user must understand the purpose of these products, 

c ommon industry standards for safety, and the potential 

consequences of improper product installation. 

Failure to follow these instructions could cause improper sprinkler 

operation, resulting in serious personal injury and/or property 

damage. 

INTRODUCTION 

AquaFlex Stainless Steel Sprinkler Fittings connect the branch line 

to the sprinkler using a flexible stainless steel hose and reducer. 

The flexible stainless steel hose and fittings are intended for direct 

connection to the sprinkler and are particularly suited for use in 

suspended ceiling applications. Each drop assembly comes with one 

stainless steel flexible hose, one branch line connection nipple, one 

sprinkler reducing nipple, and the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket or the Hat 

Channel Bracket. 

Victaulic AquaFlex unbraided flexible stainless steel hoses are cULus 

Listed, City of Los Angeles (RR5659) Approved, and accepted for use 

by the City of New York Department of Buildings (MEA 60-05-E). 

Victaulic AquaFlex braided flexible stainless steel hoses are FM 

Approved, City of Los Angeles (RR5659) Approved, and accepted for 

use by the City of New York Department of Buildings (MEA 60-05-E). 

Flexible stainless steel hoses are available in lengths from 31 - 72 

inches/787 - 1829 mm with either 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch NPT threaded 

outlets. 

TECHNICAL DATA 

Maximum Working Pressure: 

200 psi/1375 kPa (FM Approval for Braided System) 

175 psi/1206 kPa (UL Listing for Unbraided System) 

Maximum Ambient Temperature: 225° F/107° C 

Connection to Branch Line: 1-inch NPT/BSPT 

Minimum Bend Radius of Flexible Stainless Steel Hose: 

7 inches/178 mm (FM Approval for Braided System) 

4 inches/102 mm (UL Listing for Unbraided System) 

Maximum Number of 90° Bends Per Flexible Stainless Steel Hose: 

Refer to the “Friction Loss Data” section on page 2. NOTE: The 

flexible stainless steel hose should not be bent within 

2 1/2 inches/64 mm of the connection nut at both ends. 

Maximum K-Factor of Sprinkler to be Connected to Sprinkler 

Reducing Nipple for Unbraided System: 

5.6 for 1/2-inch 


Maximum K-Factor of Sprinkler to be Connected to Sprinkler 

Reducing Nipple for Braided System: 


14.0 for 3/4-inch 

IMPORTANT INSTALLATION INFORMATION 

• Victaulic AquaFlex products must be installed according to 

current, applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 

13, 13D, 13R, etc.) standards or equivalent standards for wet or 

dry systems. Deviations from these standards or alterations to 

AquaFlex products or sprinklers will void any Victaulic warranty. In 

addition, installations must meet provisions of the local authority 

having jurisdiction and local codes, as applicable. 

• If intended for use with drop ceilings, reference must be made to 

specific ceiling constructions, such as intermediate and heavyduty 

ceilings as described in the Standard Specification for the 

Manufacture, Performance, and Testing of Metal Suspension 

Systems for Acoustical Tile and Lay-In Panel Ceilings (ASTM 

C635) when installed in accordance with the Standard Practice for 

Installation of Metal Ceiling Suspension Systems for Acoustical Tile 

and Lay-In Panels (ASTM C636). 

• Victaulic AquaFlex Stainless Steel Sprinkler Fittings and/or the 

1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket or Hat Channel Bracket must not be 

intermixed with other manufacturer’s products. 

• Refer to the specific product submittal for applications and 

listing information. These submittals are located in Sections 

10 and 40 of the Victaulic G-100 Catalog or on the Victaulic 

website at www.victaulic.com. In addition, when installing 

Victaulic FireLock® Automatic Sprinklers with Victaulic 

AquaFlex Stainless Steel Sprinkler Fittings, refer to the I-40 

Installation and Maintenance Instructions for details on sprinkler 

installation requirements. 

• Size the piping system to provide the minimum required flow rate 

for the sprinkler system. 

• Flush the system to remove foreign material. Continue to flush the 

system until water runs clear. 

• DO NOT install sprinkler system piping through heating ducts. 

DO NOT connect sprinkler system piping to domestic hot water 

systems. DO NOT install sprinklers where they will be exposed 

to temperatures that exceed the maximum ambient temperature 

rating for the sprinkler. 

• The flexible stainless steel hose should not be bent or fluctuated 

up-and-down or side-to-side when it is pressurized for test. 

• The flexible stainless steel hose should not be bent within 


• Flexible stainless steel hose and fittings have limited flexibility and 

are intended only to be installed with bends at their respective 

minimum bend radii. 

• Protect wet piping systems from freezing temperatures. 

“Important Installation Information” continued on the following page 

www.victaulic.com 

VICTAULIC AND AQUAFLEX ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF VICTAULIC COMPANY. © 2010 VICTAULIC COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE USA. 

REV_C




• If construction is altered, refer to applicable standards to determine 

if additional sprinklers are required. 

• The owner is responsible for maintaining the fire protection system 

in proper operating condition. 

• For minimum maintenance and inspection requirements, refer 

to NFPA 25 and the NFPA pamphlet that describes the care 

and maintenance of sprinkler systems. In addition, the authority 

having jurisdiction may have additional maintenance, testing, and 

inspection requirements that must be followed. 

STAINLESS STEEL FLEXIBLE HOSE BEND 

CHARACTERISTICS 

Minimum 

bend radius 

90° 

2X 

Minimum 

bend radius 

Minimum 

bend radius 

WARNING 

• Re-location of AquaFlex products MUST be performed by 

qualified personnel familiar with the system’s original design 

criteria, sprinkler listings/approvals, and state and local codes 

(including NFPA 13 standards). 

Failure to re-locate this AquaFlex product properly could affect its 

performance during a fire, resulting in serious personal injury and 

property damage. 

2X 

Minimum 

bend radius 

OR 

Minimum 

bend radius 

OR 

Minimum 

bend radius 

Minimum 

bend radius 

Minimum 

bend radius 

Minimum 

bend radius 

FRICTION LOSS DATA 

Length of Stainless Steel 

Flexible Hose 

Actual Length of Stainless Steel Flexible Hose 

inches/mm 

Outlet Size 

NOTE: For out-of-plane (three-dimensional) bends, care must be taken 

to avoid imparting torque on the flexible stainless steel hose. 

Equivalent Length of 1-inch/33.7-mm 

Schedule 40 Pipe 

feet/meters 

inches FM UL inches FM* UL‡ 

24 N/A 

28 

1/2 

N/A 

18 

5.5 

700 

32 

3/4 

N/A 

9.8 

31 

31 

790 

31 

1/2 

9.6 27 

2.9 8.2 

780 

3/4 

8.2 

2.5 

33 

10.1 

36 

36 

915 

40 

1/2 

1000 

9.9 48 

3/4 

3.0 14.6 

11.0 

3.4 

44 

13.4 

48 

48 

1220 

17.1 53 

48 

1/2 

5.2 16.2 

1220 

16.5 55 

3/4 

5.0 16.8 

60 

21.4 68 

60 

61 

1/2 

6.5 20.7 

1525 

1540 

20.1 63 

3/4 

6.1 19.2 

72 

72 

1830 

27.3 73 

72 

1/2 

8.3 22.3 

1830 

26.2 76 

3/4 

7.9 23.2 

Maximum Number 

of 90° Bends at 

4-inch/102-mm 

Bend Radius § 

‡ Series AQU at 4-inch/102-mm minimum bend radius and straight reducers 

* Series AQB at 7-inch/178-mm minimum bend radius and straight reducers 

§ A higher number of bends may be permitted, provided the sum of degrees is equal to or less than the total maximum allowable degrees of bend (e.g. Two 

90° bends equal 180°. Three 90° bends equal 270°). 

For friction loss data for elbows, refer to Victaulic submittal 10.85. 

EXAMPLE: A 48-inch Series AQU hose installed with two 30° bends and two 90° bends at a 4-inch bend radius is permitted and considered equivalent to the 

data in the table shown above. In this example, the total number of degrees is 240°, which is less than the allowable 270°. 

NOTE: Differences in equivalent lengths are due to varying test methods, per UL 2443 and FM 1637 standards. Refer to these standards for additional 

information regarding friction loss test methods. 

2 

2 

3 

3 

3 

3 



I-AQUAFLEX_2 

REV_C




ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS – 1BEE 2 ONE-PIECE BRACKET 

Stainless Steel 

Flexible Tube 

Branch Line 

Connection 

Nut 

Branch Line 

Connection 

Nipple 

1BEE One-Piece 

Bracket Assembly 

Connection 

Nut 

Sprinkler 

Reducing Nipple 

Wing Nut 

Center Gate 

Assembly with 

Wing Nut 

ASTM C635 

Ceiling/Rail 

Assembly 

#8 x ½-inch 

Self-Drilling Screw 

Sprinkler 

3 

4 

2 

1 

Item Description 

1 24-inch/610-mm or 48-inch/1219-mm 

Long Square Bar 

2 Center Gate Assembly with Wing Nut 

3 End Bracket Assembly with Wing Nut 

4 Sheet Metal Screw 

4 

3 

ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS – HAT CHANNEL BRACKET 

1 

Item Description 

1 24-inch/610-mm or 48-inch/1219-mm 

Long Square Bar 

2 Center Gate Assembly with Wing Nut 

3 Wing Nut Bolt with Cup Point 

4 Hat Channel End Bracket 

5 Wing Nut Bolt with Cone Point 

6 Self-Drilling Screw (#10-16 x ½-inch) 

2 

6 

3 

4 

5 



REV_C 

I-AQUAFLEX_3




INSTALLATION FOR ASTM C635 METAL 

CEILING SUSPENSION SYSTEMS INSTALLED IN 

ACCORDANCE WITH ASTM C636 STANDARDS 

WARNING 

• The flexible stainless steel hose should not be bent or 

fluctuated up-and-down or side-to-side when it is pressurized 

for test. 





damage. 

3. Connect the nut of the flexible stainless steel hose to the sprinkler 

reducing nipple. DO NOT use pipe joint compound or Teflon* 

tape on the fine threads of the sprinkler reducing nipple, since the 

flat gasket on the end of the flexible stainless steel hose provides 

the leak-proof connection. Tighten the connection to a maximum 

torque of 15 ft-lbs/20 N•m. NOTE: To prevent damage to the seal, 

DO NOT exceed the specified torque on the nut. 

1. Apply pipe joint compound or Teflon* tape to the tapered threads 

of the branch line connection nipple. NOTE: DO NOT use a 

combination of pipe joint compound and tape. Using a pipe 

wrench, tighten the branch line connection nipple into the branch 

line. 

2. Connect the nut of the flexible stainless steel hose to the branch 

line connection nipple, as shown above. DO NOT use pipe joint 

compound or Teflon* tape on the threads of the branch line 

connection nipple, since the flat gasket on the end of the flexible 

stainless steel hose provides the leak-proof connection. Tighten 

the connection to a maximum torque of 15 ft-lbs/20 N•m. NOTE: 

To prevent damage to the seal, DO NOT exceed the specified 

torque on the nut. 

* Teflon is a registered trademark of the DuPont Company 

4. Attach the end brackets of the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket to the 

rails of an ASTM C635 metal ceiling suspension system installed 

in accordance with ASTM C636 standards. Make sure the ends of 

the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket engage the rails, as shown above. 

Tighten the wing nuts to a torque of 3 ft-lbs/4 N•m to secure the 

ends to the rails. 




REV_C




5. For installations that must meet cULus Listing requirements, or for 

added tamper resistance, tighten a #8 x 1/2-inch self-drilling screw 

through the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket and ceiling grid at the two 

locations on the bracket. NOTE: A tamper-evident label is available 

and can be applied to one or both of the end brackets. 

7. Apply pipe joint compound or Teflon* tape to the male threads of 

the sprinkler. Install the sprinkler into the sprinkler reducing nipple 

by following the sprinkler manufacturer’s installation instructions. 

8. After installation is complete, test the system for leaks in 

accordance with NFPA guidelines. 

6. Move the center gate assembly of the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket to 

the desired location, then slide the sprinkler reducing nipple into 

the center gate assembly. 

6a. Close the gate around the sprinkler reducing nipple. Swing the 

pivot screw into the slot on the gate, and tighten the wing nut to a 

torque of 3 ft-lbs/4 N•m to secure the sprinkler reducing nipple in 

the desired location. NOTE: The pivot screw is staked to prevent 

the wing nut from being backed off/removed completely. 




REV_C 





2 X 4 WOOD JOIST/STUD INSTALLATION 

(FM ONLY) 

1. Perform steps 1 - 3 of the “Installation for ASTM C635 Metal 

Ceiling Suspension Systems Installed in Accordance with ASTM 

C636 Standards” section. 

2 X 4 METAL JOIST/STUD INSTALLATION 

(FM ONLY) 




2. Remove the sheet metal screw from only one end bracket 

assembly of the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket. 

2a. Remove the wing nut from each of the end bracket assemblies. 

3. Place the end bracket assembly (with the sheet metal screw still 

installed) up against the outside surface of the wood joist/stud with 

the square bar resting on top of the wood joists/studs. 

3a. Slide the end bracket assembly (with the sheet metal screw 

removed in step 2) toward the outside surface of the opposite 

wood joist/stud, as shown in the graphic below. 


assembly of the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket. Slide the end bracket 

assembly toward the center of the square bar. 


3. Place the end bracket assembly (with the sheet metal screw still 

installed) up against the outside surface of the metal joist/stud with 

the square bar resting on top of the metal joists/studs. 

3a. Slide the end bracket assembly (with the sheet metal screw 

removed in step 2) toward the inside, flat surface of the opposite 

metal joist/stud, as shown in the graphic below. 

1½-inch/38-mm Long 

#10 Wood Screw 

(4 Total) 

1¼-inch/32-mm 

Long #10 

Self-Drilling 

Sheet Metal 

Screws 

(4 Total) 

4. Install the modified 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket assembly to the 

wood joists/studs by using four, 1 1/2-inch/38-mm long #10 wood 

screws in the locations noted in the graphic shown above. 

5. Using an 1/8-inch/3-mm drill bit, drill a hole down through the end 

bracket assembly (with the sheet metal screw removed in step 

2) and into the square bar to accommodate re-installation of the 

sheet metal screw. 

6. Re-install the sheet metal screw into the end bracket assembly/ 

square bar. 



C636 Standards” section to complete the installation. 

NOTE: For wood joists/studs larger than 2 x 4, longer sprinkler reducing 

nipples should be used. 

4. Install the modified 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket assembly to the 

metal joists/studs by using four, 1 1/4-inch/32-mm long #10 selfdrilling 

sheet metal screws in the locations noted in the graphic 

shown above. 

5. Using an 1/8-inch/3-mm drill bit, drill a hole down through the end 

bracket assembly (with the sheet metal screw removed in step 

2) and into the square bar to accommodate re-installation of the 


6. Re-install the sheet metal screw into the end bracket assembly/ 

square bar. 




NOTE: For metal joists/studs larger than 2 x 4, longer sprinkler reducing 

nipples should be used. 




REV_C




ALTERNATIVE WOOD JOIST/STUD INSTALLATION 

(FM ONLY) 




ALTERNATIVE METAL JOIST/STUD INSTALLATION 

(FM ONLY) 





assembly of the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket. Remove the end 

bracket assembly from the square bar. 


3. Measure the distance between the wood joists/studs. 

3a. Cut the square bar to the length needed to fit between the two 

wood joists/studs. This length must be measured from the outside 

of the end bracket assembly (with the wing nut removed) to the 

point on the square bar that will butt up against the other wood 

joist/stud. 

4. Place the end bracket assembly, removed in step 2, onto the end 

of the square bar so that the square bar is flush with the outside 

of the end bracket assembly. Mark the new location where the 

sheet metal screw will be re-installed. Drill an 1/8-inch/3-mm hole at 

the mark on the square bar to accommodate re-installation of the 


5. Re-install the end bracket assembly to the square bar with the 

sheet metal screw removed in step 2. 


assembly of the 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket. Remove the end 

bracket assembly from the square bar. 


3. Measure the distance between the metal joists/studs. 

3a. Cut the square bar to the length needed to fit between the two 

metal joists/studs. This length must be measured from the outside 

of the end bracket assembly (with the wing nut removed) to the 

point on the square bar that will butt up against the other metal 

joist/stud. 

4. Place the end bracket assembly, removed in step 2, onto the end 

of the square bar so that the square bar is flush with the outside 

of the end bracket assembly. Mark the new location where the 

sheet metal screw will be re-installed. Drill an 1/8-inch/3-mm hole at 

the mark on the square bar to accommodate re-installation of the 


5. Re-install the end bracket assembly to the square bar with the 

sheet metal screw removed in step 2. 

1½-inch/38-mm Long 

#10 Wood Screw 

(4 Total) 

1¼-inch/32-mm 

Long #10 

Self-Drilling 

Sheet Metal 

Screws 

(4 Total) 

6. Install the modified 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket assembly between 

the wood joists/studs by using four, 1 1/2-inch/38-mm long #10 

wood screws in the locations noted in the graphic shown above. 




6. Install the modified 1BEE 2 One-Piece Bracket assembly between 

the metal joists/studs by using four, 1 1/4-inch/32-mm long #10 selfdrilling 

sheet metal screws in the locations noted in the graphic 

shown above. 






REV_C 





INSTALLATION FOR ASTM C645 HAT FURRING 

CHANNEL CEILING SYSTEMS INSTALLED IN 

ACCORDANCE WITH ASTM C754 STANDARDS 

(FM ONLY) 

WARNING 

• The flexible stainless steel hose should not be bent or 

fluctuated up-and-down or side-to-side when it is pressurized 

for test. 





damage. 

3. Connect the nut of the flexible stainless steel hose to the sprinkler 

reducing nipple. DO NOT use pipe joint compound or Teflon* 

tape on the fine threads of the sprinkler reducing nipple, since the 

flat gasket on the end of the flexible stainless steel hose provides 

the leak-proof connection. Tighten the connection to a maximum 

torque of 15 ft-lbs/20 N•m. NOTE: To prevent damage to the seal, 

DO NOT exceed the specified torque on the nut. 

1. Apply pipe joint compound or Teflon* tape to the tapered threads 

of the branch line connection nipple. NOTE: DO NOT use a 

combination of pipe joint compound and tape. Using a pipe 

wrench, tighten the branch line connection nipple into the branch 

line. 

2. Connect the nut of the flexible stainless steel hose to the branch 

line connection nipple, as shown above. DO NOT use pipe joint 

compound or Teflon* tape on the threads of the branch line 

connection nipple, since the flat gasket on the end of the flexible 

stainless steel hose provides the leak-proof connection. Tighten 

the connection to a maximum torque of 15 ft-lbs/20 N•m. NOTE: 

To prevent damage to the seal, DO NOT exceed the specified 

torque on the nut. 

4. Attach the end brackets to the ASTM C645 hat furring channel 

ceiling system installed in accordance with ASTM C754 standards. 

Make sure the end brackets engage the hat furring channels, 

as shown above. Tighten the wing nuts loosely to maintain 

engagement with the hat furring channels. The wing nuts will be 

tightened completely in later steps. 





REV_C




5. Place the center gate assembly onto the square bar, as shown 

above. 

7. Adjust the bracket assembly to the appropriate location on the hat 

furring channel. 

8. Tighten the wing nut on the side of each end bracket to a torque 

of 3 ft-lbs/4 N•m to secure the end brackets to the hat furring 

channels. 

6. Insert the square bar/center gate assembly into each end bracket, 

as shown above. 

9. Tighten the wing nut on the top of each end bracket to a torque of 

3 ft-lbs/4 N•m to secure the end brackets to the square bar. 



REV_C 





10. Tighten a #10-16 x 1/2-inch self-drilling screw through the two 

locations on each end bracket and into the hat furring channels. 

11a. Close the gate around the sprinkler reducing nipple. Swing the 

pivot screw into the slot on the gate, and tighten the wing nut to a 

torque of 3 ft-lbs/4 N•m to secure the sprinkler reducing nipple in 

the desired location. NOTE: The pivot screw is staked to prevent 

the wing nut from being backed off/removed completely. 

12. Apply pipe joint compound or Teflon* tape to the male threads of 

the sprinkler. Install the sprinkler into the sprinkler reducing nipple 

by following the sprinkler manufacturer’s installation instructions. 

13. After installation is complete, test the system for leaks in 

accordance with NFPA guidelines. 

11. Move the center gate assembly to the desired location, then slide 

the sprinkler reducing nipple into the center gate assembly. 





REV_C

NOTES




For complete contact information, visit www.victaulic.com 

I-AQUAFLEX 5878 REV C UPDATED 07/2010 Z000AQUFLX 


I-AQUAFLEX

AquaFlexÃ‚Â® Stainless Steel Sprinkler Fittings I-AQUAFLEX - Victaulic

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?