Flexheads - The New Generation

The configuring of Flexheads for their use by HydraCAD has changed from an earlier post on the topic. Here is the 2006 and newer version:

1. Set up a head symbol using one of the following…

 

FlexHeadDown – for outlet off the bottom of the branchline

FlexHeadUpright – for outlet off the top of the branchline

FlexHeadSide – for outlet off the side of the branchline. 

2. Assign this symbol as being on a Drop or a Sprig. Verify the following settings:

        For the outlet off the bottom -

        Outlet orientation – Point down,

     Head Location – at Bottom

        For the outlet off the top –

        Outlet orientation – Point Up

 Head Location – at Top

        For a side outlet  -

        Outlet orientation – Sidewall

 Head Location – Sidewall

3.

 

In the “block redefinition” screen, for the “Material” select the flex head length you want to use for this symbol – see picture below

4. Choose the part for your sprinkler head as you normally would.

5.

Insert the symbol on the drawing at the outlet location on the branch line.

This will insert a small head symbol on the line and then insert a dynamic block to represent the flex head. The flexhead symbol should not be in the SPRNKS layer but should reside in a non critical layer such as DETAILS

6. Using “Grips” you can relocate the Flexhead symbol to the desired location as well as the polyline attached to the head for presentation. The Flexhead symbol and polyline can be copied. Neither AutoList nor AutoCalc will recognize this symbol or the polyline

7

. When running AutoCalc, the heads will get picked up as a drop and will be inputted in the “Equivalent K Piping” tab, provided you have checked the “Set up drops as Equivalent K-Factors”.

8. Once in Hydraulics you will need to add fittings for the Flexheads in order to get the proper friction loss. Right click the fittings column and select the length of Flexhead you are using.

Comments

[Steve Langmade]

Art, How do you use this and get different head symbols for different head types being used on one job?

[Art]

Steve - One way is to go to explorer and locate the desired head in the H40\Prog\Cad20007\Heads folder.

Then, open the .dwg and save it to some other name. Change the symbol to one oyu like and save it. Repeat as necessary.

[George Ali Blackburn]

As a side note regarding Flex Heads off the SIDE of the line or off the end of a solid pipe coming off the SIDE of the line...

1. After Step 3 when you select the material (eg. Flex Head 24" Long), change the value for "Assemble Fitting for:" value to "Only List Sprinkler".

2. Change your "Thread Size" from 1/2" to 1" as this will give you a coupling instead of a reducer at the connection point.

[Ty Allan]

Will there be the ability of 3D Flexhead in the future?