Abstract: A bracing apparatus for bracing a flexible pipe extending between a fire sprinkler header pipe and a sprinkler and for holding the sprinkler in a desired location, a flexible piping system having the bracing apparatus, and a method of installing a sprinkler of a sprinkler system having the bracing apparatus. The bracing apparatus has first mounting members that attach to a flexible pipe, and a stiffener bar that extends between the first and second mounting members.

Abstract: Fire sprinkler apparatus (11) for use with a drop ceiling (13) of suspended tile (15) or sheetrock having a branch or run pipe (17), and a sprinkler head (26) connected to said branch or run pipe (17) by a drop nipple-reducing coupling assembly (29) which comprises a drop nipple (21), a reducing coupling (25) mounted on the bottom end (21b) of the drop nipple (21), a weld (27) joining the upper end (25b) of the reducing coupling (25) to the bottom end (21b) of the drop nipple (21) with the outer circumference of the reducing coupling (25) being the same size as the outer circumference of the drop nipple (21), and an escutcheon fitting (33) which slides over the drop nipple-reducing coupling assembly (29) for a predetermined distance until it is flush with the bottom surface of the tile (15).