Connecting the Drops A Hanging Connector That Links Multiple Flexible Sprinkler Conduits to Overhead Supports

A US fire protection engineering company has patented a hanging connector system for flexible sprinkler conduit installations – a device that simultaneously joins multiple flexible conduit sections together and provides a means of suspending the assembly from an overhead support structure. The invention simplifies the installation of modern flexible sprinkler systems while maintaining the structural integrity and code compliance that fire protection installations demand.

The Problem

Building fire suppression systems traditionally used rigid steel pipe that required precise pre-fabrication and careful installation to route water from supply mains to individual sprinkler heads. Flexible sprinkler conduit – factory-assembled hose assemblies that connect the rigid branch pipe to the sprinkler head – has become increasingly popular because it allows the final drop to the sprinkler to be routed flexibly around obstructions, accommodates seismic movement and significantly reduces installation time.

However, as flexible conduit systems have grown more sophisticated – with multiple conduit sections chained together to reach a sprinkler head, or multiple sprinklers served from a common flexible supply – the challenge of supporting and suspending these flexible assemblies has grown. Without adequate support, flexible conduit can sag, kink, become damaged over time, or fail to meet the installation clearance requirements of fire protection codes. Traditional support methods for rigid pipe do not translate easily to flexible conduit configurations.

What is needed is a purpose-designed connector that not only joins flexible conduit sections together but also provides an integral hanging point for attaching the assembly to the overhead structure – combining the joining and support functions in a single device.

What This Invention Does

ASC Engineered Solutions’ hanging connector serves a dual function: it mechanically couples two flexible conduit sections together – joining the first conduit (connected to the sprinkler body) with a second conduit (feeding from the supply side) – while also providing an integral hanging member that extends outward from the connector body.

This hanging member serves as the attachment point for a metallic connector – a hanger rod, wire or similar element – that runs from the hanging connector to an overhead support structure such as a beam, deck or suspended ceiling grid. This transfers the weight and any movement loads of the flexible conduit assembly to the building structure, keeping the conduit correctly positioned and supported throughout its service life.

By incorporating the joining and hanging functions into a single device, the invention eliminates the need for separate pipe hangers or support brackets at the flexible conduit joint, simplifying the installation process and reducing the number of components required in the ceiling space.

Key Features

Dual joining and hanging function. The connector simultaneously couples two flexible conduit sections and provides a hanging point for overhead support attachment – combining two separate installation tasks into one component.

Integral hanging member. An outwardly extending hanging member is built into the connector body, providing a positive, reliable attachment point for the metallic connector running to the structure above.

Metallic structural connection. The connection to the overhead structure uses a metallic connector – providing the strength and durability required for a fire protection system component that must remain functional under fire conditions.

Compatible with existing flexible conduit systems. The hanging connector is designed to work within standard flexible sprinkler assembly configurations, coupling to standard conduit terminations and sprinkler body connections.

Simplified installation process. By consolidating joining and support into one component, the invention reduces installation steps, minimises the hardware needed in the ceiling space and speeds up the installation of flexible sprinkler systems.

Who Is Behind It?

ASC Engineered Solutions, LLC is a US company specialising in fire protection and mechanical piping system components. The inventor is Joseph Beagen. This application is a divisional of AU 2023274179, which itself is a divisional of AU 2018297290 – reflecting an extended development and patent family history. The application is managed by FPA Patent Attorneys Pty Ltd in Melbourne.

Why It Matters

The shift toward flexible sprinkler conduit systems has transformed the economics and logistics of commercial building fire protection installation – reducing labour costs, enabling more adaptable building designs and improving seismic performance. As flexible systems become the standard in new commercial and institutional construction, the accessories that support their reliable installation become increasingly important.

A hanging connector that integrates support and joining functions addresses a genuine installation efficiency need, reducing the time and material costs of properly supporting flexible conduit systems. For large commercial projects where hundreds or thousands of sprinkler heads require installation, components that simplify and speed up each connection point deliver significant aggregate savings. With IPC classifications covering fire extinguishing systems (A62C 31/00, A62C 35/00, A62C 37/00) and pipe support (F16L 3/00), the patent covers both the fire protection application and the structural support engineering involved.

---

AU 2026201547 was published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents on 19 March 2026 and is open for public inspection. Patent applications represent inventions that are sought to be protected and do not necessarily reflect commercially available products.

Related Concepts

Fire sprinkler systems are among the most effective active fire protection measures, controlling or suppressing fires in over 96% of cases where they operate correctly. Modern commercial buildings increasingly use flexible conduit to connect branch piping to sprinkler heads, reducing installation labour and improving adaptability to ceiling layouts and seismic requirements.

Proper support of flexible sprinkler assemblies is mandated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other fire codes to prevent sagging, kinking and displacement that could impair system performance. Connector hardware that combines multiple installation functions – joining and supporting in a single component – directly reduces the installed cost of compliant flexible sprinkler systems.