FAQs

Do you have a "Help" line?

Yes. Call us at 1-800-873-0894. We are standing by to assist you in any way we can.

When can I use "Combo" hangers, and when do I use "Snap-2™" hangers?

Combo hangers support both CPVC pipe and the shield cover. Use Combo hangers for support when the pipe you are covering is compatible in size to our shield cover. As pipe hangers, the Combo hangers are to be installed in accordance with the distances between pipe hangers as recommended by NFPA 13.

Snap-2 hangers support the CPVC pipe only. Use snap-2 hangers where there is no compatibility between the pipe size and our shield cover. For example: You want to cover 1″ pipe with our 1-¼” L-Shield. Use Snap-2 hangers to support your pipe and shield clips compatible with the cover size to support the shield.

When you need to support your CPVC piping with 30″ of a sprinkler head, use a Snap-2 hanger. If pipe support is not required until you are beyond the 30″ distance from the head, you may use Combo hangers.

Can I install the DecoShield® U-Design cover on the wall, or must it be installed in a pendant position on the ceiling only?

Yes, the U-Design cover can be installed on the sidewall.  When installing U-Shield on the sidewall, you will position your pipe centerline to be the distance down from the ceiling you need your sidewall heads to be (i.e., if your sidewall head is to be 4” down from the ceiling, run your pipe centerline 4” down from the ceiling).  At your head locations, you will need only a sprinkler tee (no need for drop piping). 

Be sure to snap chalk lines so that our pipe hangers and shield clips are anchored in a straight line below the ceiling.

Can I install the DecoShield® System below asbestos ceilings? How?

DecoShield® System for plastic pipe:

Option One: L-Shield installed at its normal (ceiling height) position. With this method, the L-Design Combo Hanger and shield clips are anchored to the wall only. Some load-bearing capacity is sacrificed when anchoring with a single anchor, but shorter hanger spacing compensates for this. The DecoShield cover precludes the applications of any additional loads being suspended from the piping. AHJ approval is required for single point anchoring of Combo hangers.

Option Two: U-shield installed on the wall. When using this method, run your pipe with the centerline the distance down from the ceiling you need your sidewall heads to be. By doing this, there is no need for drop piping at the head locations.

DecoShield®-M System for metal pipe:

Option One: L-Shield installed at its normal (ceiling height) position.

Option Two: U-shield installed on the sidewall down from the ceiling.

When either of these methods is used with metal pipe, the Hugger Hanger is anchored to the wall. The Hugger Hanger will adequately support the metal pipe, if the wall is concrete or wood stud construction. If the wall is steel stud construction, it may be necessary to use L-Brackets for additional support of the pipe.

Any tips on installing DecoShield® below a "popcorn" ceiling?

Sure, and it’s a great way to give your DecoShield® installation a professional appearance. First, remove the “popcorn” at the locations where the Combo Hangers and the shield clips will be installed. Then, where the shield cover meets the ceiling surface, lightly scrape along the ceiling with a putty knife to remove the “popcorn.” In this way, the shield cover will nicely hug the ceiling surface.

Install U-Shield down on the sidewall, eliminating the need to deal with the popcorn ceiling.

Any tips on installing DecoShield® below a drop (suspended) ceiling?

Option One: L-Shield installed at its normal (ceiling height) position. With this method, the L-Design combo hanger and shield clips are anchored to the wall only. (See above question for installing below asbestos ceilings). You may also be able to attach our combo hanger or shield clip at the cross-bar locations on the suspended ceiling, but it is not necessary.  NOTE: There will be a “shadow” effect with an L-Shield installation because the shield will not touch the ceiling panels; it will only touch the cross-bars.

Option Two: Use U-Shield down on the sidewall.

I want to install a sprinkler head on the opposite side of the wall from which the DecoShield® System is installed. How can I accomplish this?

If the head to be installed is immediately in back of a head on the shield side of the wall, a thru-wall tee (from Spears or Central) can be installed within the sidewall sprinkler head housing. A short nipple extending from such  a tee, through the wall, will position the sprinkler head at the appropriate location on the opposite side of the wall.

If the head is to be installed down-line from the shield side head (but on the opposite side of the wall), two options exist to cover the drop assembly:

  1. For L-Shield installation: Use a sprinkler head housing with a plug (SH with a CP) to plug the sprinkler hole on the pipe side.

For U-Shield installation: If you have positioned your piping at the proper centerline distance down from the ceiling, you will use a pipe tee to go back through the wall. The DecoShield® cover on the pipe side is all that is needed because the cover hides the fact that your pipe tee is going back through the wall.

If you have ceiling elevation changes between the pipe side and the opposite wall, use an LxLxU transition tee (TT) inverted with an end cap to close off the U-leg. This will allow you to use a pipe elbow to go back through the wall at your desired distance.

  1. For L-Shield installation only: Core through to the other side of the wall while you are still at the ceiling height elevation. On the other side of the piping wall, you will then have your drop piping to a sprinkler head. This piping would be covered  by a Double Stop Sprinkler Housing component.
What is the fire rating of the DecoShield® Cover?

The DecoShield® cover is designed to be a decorative cover and has not been rated for protection. Made with a specially engineered resin it does, however, meet Class A building code requirements for low flame spread and low smoke toxicity.

Can electrical wiring be enclosed within the DecoShield® System?

YES

I want to run cable/wiring along with the sprinkler piping and enclose both in the DecoShield® System. Can I do that?

Yes, you can run cable and/or wiring inside the DecoShield® Cover along with sprinkler piping. Depending on the size and number of cables/wiring, you may need to upsize to a larger shield cover.

I need a part that I don't see anywhere in your product catalogue. What do I do now?

Call us. We offer a complete line of special fabrications. If we’re not familiar with the part you need, send us a sketch and we’ll do our best to fabricate the part.

What is the recommended way to cut DecoShield® in the field?

Use an electric miter saw (10″ is best) with an abrasive wheel, or a 32-tooth carbide blade. Hold another piece of the same size shield over the shield you are cutting to eliminate chatter while cutting.

How can I achieve the best-looking DecoShield® installation?

As with any project, careful planning is important. That may mean you will want to do a mock-up of the installation to be sure the installation will present the appearance you are looking for, and to familiarize yourself with installation methods.

When cutting DecoShield® in the field using a 10″ electric miter saw with an abrasive wheel, or a 32-tooth carbide blade, hold another piece of the same size shield over the shield you are cutting to eliminate chatter. This will provide a more professional finished edge.

Keep hands clean and wear gloves to keep the shield clean.

Anchor shield clips at a minimum of 24″ spacing between the pipe hangers.

Use Wall Flanges at the end of the shield where it meets the wall. The wall flanges are a cosmetic component designed to give a more professional appearance.

How can we get assistance in determining the DecoShield® product needed for an installation?

Fax or email us a set of plans and we will perform a DecoShield® material take-off for you at no charge.

 

Address

​DECOSHIELD® SYSTEMS, INC.
3050 SW 14th Place, #3
Boynton Beach, Florida 33426

 

Call Us

PHONE:
800-873-0894
954-725-7665
FAX: 800-585-3894