How To Cut a Sprinkler Head Into a Ceiling Tile

A while back Max went over how to cut reveal ceiling tiles and a viewer had a question regarding sprinkler heads. Since they were unable to find any information elsewhere we thought it would be a great idea to cover not one but TWO different ways to cut a sprinkler head into a ceiling tile. If you have any questions or comments please let us know!
Gear used to film this video:
-Camera
amzn.to/3Mwl11H
-Lens
amzn.to/3tDxvvS
-Mic
amzn.to/3xCmDQI
amzn.to/3HUSlfc
-------
Instagram
/ mitchellacousticalcons...
Facebook
/ mitchellacousticalcons...
Twitter
/ mitchell_const

[@Madacompany]

This was a extremely helpful! Watch me replace this tile with a sprinkler head like Ive done this my whole life lol. LIKE A BOSS! THANK YOU!

[@Madacompany]

Went down without any troubles! Thank you again!

[@craigbrackbill7722]

Good video. I’m thinking how to retrofit an old house with plaster and lathe ceilings and this was a help.

[@arnoldgratacos5460]

easy piecy, thanks

[@mariocastillo2077]

Thank you

[@joseest9525]

Nice video! I use a compass sometimes

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

Thats a new one for me!

[@AmazingEmotion]

That's the ticket.. Thanks

[@fred1382]

Would be nice if you showed how to put the damn thing in with a sprinkler head already install

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

In the project we're on in this video, they were braided line sprinklers, so we cut them for the sprinkler guys to set. Once we touch those lines and set them were liable on the warranty. I'll keep that in mind if we get a chance to do another. Thanks

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

rodey piper because in this project the GC had us cut them.

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

rodey piper that would be ideal, but some of the time there are other MEP’s obstructing where they do their drops.

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

rodey piper we’re paid to do it for them, then hand it to them for install👍

[@JaimeZX]

Agreed. Replacing tiles in our office and no idea how to get the decorative rings through hole. These are hard lines to the sprinklers.

[@canadabri2008]

seems simple but were are you measuring too on the frame.

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

You measure to the centerline of the grid. I think this is what you’re asking.

[@bb3283]

That’s actually East, but it’s okay :) it worked out :)

[@patmccluskey7504]

i replace alot of water stained tiles retail store offices and HR rooms. how do you make the cut around those fire alarm lights that are in most drop ceilings there a bitch. i hack it up and just spray it with killz then a roll of ceiling paint. if you didnt know i did it you wouldny unless you stair. the north east south west helped with the sprinkler holes actualy its perfect.

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

Honestly we have the installers take apart the units, we cut the tile of the boxes and then give them to the alarm guys for install. We don’t want to trigger the alarm and they’re the ones who can take the alarm out of service for install.

[@byCunfuse]

Show me how to put it up there man I can’t figure it out I keep running into the trim

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

We addressed this in a reply to another comment on this exact same video: "In the project we're on in this video, they were braided line sprinklers, so we cut them for the sprinkler guys to set. Once we touch those lines and set them were liable on the warranty. I'll keep that in mind if we get a chance to do another. Thanks"

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

When your installing on hard pipe, you’ll tilt the tile closest to the head at a 45 degree angle, then tilt it width wide about 10-15 degrees and you get it.

[@djstar6320]

How hard is taking escutcheon off?

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

Not hard at all. Just wiggle it, should come right off.

[@Ryan-kz7ej]

@@mitchellacoustical3119 i have flat Escutcheon thT are from 1987 sprinklers do they need to be cut off? im in a condo should i be worried if the sprinklers.go off?

[@HappyMediumBooksCafe]

Wait... but you did not show how to put them back on the grid? :( How do you do this when the head are low and the Fire company did not put the ceiling tiles after lowering the heads? :(

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

Yea that’s a retro fit head. That’s not what we have here. That’s more or less a scenario where you can get an oversized escutcheon or new heads.

[@PetePuebla]

The hole saw is 2 1/8? I know you said inch and 1/8.

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

If I did then I misspoke. It’s 2-1/8”

[@PetePuebla]

@@mitchellacoustical3119 thx!

[@torq_or_morq]

So you can just unscrew the sprinkler cover?

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

On newer heads yes, the old ones you’ll have to buy new rings

[@torq_or_morq]

@@mitchellacoustical3119 thanks didn’t wanna cause water explode out of there lol

[@TwoSinningHands]

There’s no way you can do this if the heads on the line are on.

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

The escutcheon plate can usually be removed and cut out for the head then put the escutcheon back on

[@PetePuebla]

@@mitchellacoustical3119 you're right.

[@SkylordAaron]

It’s much faster to do this on the back of the tile. And you don’t need to flip it over at all since you can see where the whole is going to long up. Please don’t put unnecessary marks on the face.

[@mitchellacoustical3119]

You probably haven’t done this to expensive tile then where if you cut it through the back the face blows out? So please don’t generalize on our channel. Make your own video if you’re a ‘pro’👍

[@SkylordAaron]

@@mitchellacoustical3119 as long as your going fast(drill speed) and slow with the drill it should prevent any "blow out". Also if you do end up creating more damage then that's the purpose of the scussion. To hide the imperfections and create a nice finish.