The brand that launched a company

The timing for this stage of pipework erection is dictated by the progress of the suspended ceiling installation, and can be on the critical path when a building is in the final stages of construction. Another problem with traditional rigid armover installations is that the requirement to cut and thread pipe close to the installation can create mess in the clean area below the ceiling.

Sprinkler installers in Asia have for many years used flexible sprinkler connections in commercial ceilings, but in Europe and the US, prior to the year 2000, these had only been used in special applications such as clean rooms and ducting, and there were no flexible connections approved for use in commercial ceilings.

In the UK, Rapidrop pioneered the testing and approval of flexible sprinkler connections (using a stainless steel corrugated flexible hose) at the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), achieving the first LPCB approval in 2002 following testing to its new LPS1261 Requirements and Test Methods.

Unlike rigid pipe armovers with welded or screwed joints, Rapidrop corrugated flexibles can be readily bent and securely attached to the ceiling tile support rails by adjustable brackets to locate each sprinkler in the correct position quickly and easily. By using the correct brackets, Rapidrop flexibles are suitable for installing spray pendent, concealed or flush sprinklers in all normal types of suspended and plasterboard ceilings.

During the period of examination and testing at the LPCB, Rapidrop, visited many architects, consultants, sprinkler installers, insurance companies and building control authorities to introduce the flexible concept. The benefits were obvious to all, and as soon as the LPCB approved the Rapidrop design there was an immediate demand. Installers wanted to save time and money and others involved in the total construction were keen to speed up the process and bring forward the completion and occupation dates for the new buildings.

Rapidrop flexible connections have been used in many buildings, including the Barclays Tower at Canary Wharf, Swiss Re, Wembley Stadium, the New Home Office building in the UK, Morrison’s Superstores, the National Motorcycle Museum and University College Hospital in London.

Having brought to market an approved flexible solution to the problem of installing traditional rigid pipe armovers, the company commenced training installers to ensure that Rapidrop flexibles were installed correctly. From that on-site interface with installers, the firm identified and satisfied the need for additions to the range of brackets and connections to ensure its flexibles could be used in more applications. Rapidrop introduced its Minimum Radius Indicator (MRI) to overcome potential sharp bending and kinking problems, and later the LPC Technical Bulletin TB227 made this mandatory for installations that need to conform to TB227.

Right from the beginning, Rapidrop recognised that the marketplace wanted – and needed – specialised knowledge and support from suppliers with regard to flexible connections. The expertise of the Rapidrop team was so well received that the company trained others to expand its team of experts – not only to sell and support flexibles, but also a wide range of products for the sprinkler industry.

Rapidrop was by then so successful as a brand name for flexibles that last year the company was re-named Rapidrop Ltd and is now a well known international supplier of a wide range of equipment to the sprinkler industry. Rapidrop Ltd is continually expanding its product range, introducing more own brand products and researching various new products for the industry.

Rapidrop is the registered trademark of IFI Ltd.
To find out more about the wide range of products now offered by the company, please visit: www.rapidrop.com.