Public Relations

Case Studies/Press Releases

The Soffi-Steel® system is a custom steel, prefabricated pipe enclosure.  In retrofit applications where the piping can’t be hidden within the ceilings or walls and is exposed, the Soffi-Steel® System is frequently specified due to its ability to be installed in a timely manner and the lower costs involved in installing the system.  Also, the Soffi-Steel System has an interlocking, concealed attachment system that helps protect piping from damage and tampering as it is nearly irremovable with ordinary tools.  Given the sometimes raucous atmosphere in some University housing situations, protecting the pipe from vandalism and general misuse is very important.

McDaniel Fire Systems of Valparasio, IN was awarded the contract for the fire sprinkler retrofit.  The University had given McDaniel less than 3 months to accomplish phase one of the project taking place this summer.  Doug Betz, Sr. Sales Engineer at McDaniel said, “The use of the Soffi-Steel System has been a tremendous benefit on this project.  This project has been on a very tight schedule and Grice Engineering’s installation staff have moved quickly and efficiently in keeping the project on time.”  In addition to the general areas that need to be enclosed, the Soffi-Steel® System is being used in areas that at first weren’t indicated for the use.  Doug went further to say, “The Soffi-Steel System has accommodated the project in ways that we hadn’t first considered.  It’s a custom system and we had a few unique areas that we had difficulty enclosing.  The staff at Grice Engineering was able to come up with a few custom designs to help us out.”

Universities, Colleges, Dormitories, Greek Housing and K-12 Educational Facilities across the country are choosing the Soffi-Steel® System to resolve their aesthetic and safety issues resulting from retrofitting their facility’s Fire Sprinkler Systems.  While the Soffi-Steel® System is not only proven to save money and time, the installation process is a nearly effortless and minimally intrusive task.  Let the staff of Grice Engineering, Inc. provide you with a no obligation budget quote or take off today.

 In findings noted by Congress, it is estimated that in a typical year between 1980 and 1997, there were an average of 1,800 fires at dormitories, fraternities, and sororities, which involved 1 death, 69 injuries, and $8,100,000 in property damage. Commonly, older existing student housing facilities lack the complete, working fire sprinkler assembly required of new dormitories.

It was in this meeting that the state learned of the Factory Mutual Approved Soffi-Steel® System and the immense benefits of utilizing the system. 

The Soffi-Steel System is a custom fabricated metal concealment shield that offers a streamlined, tamper-proof finish, durability, and rapid, unobtrusive installation at an economical price. The Soffi-Steel System has achieved a credible reputation among universities nationwide since 1994 for outstanding concealment of exposed utilities.

Upon receiving state endorsement, the Soffi-Steel System became the preferred, specified choice of project engineers.  

Collaborative efforts among the State of Wisconsin, university facility planners, designing engineers and Grice Engineering began in the late summer of 2000. Upon conducting feasibility and planning studies, it was determined that Grice Engineering would not only design and manufacture the Soffi-Steel System, but would also provide installation as well.

Original design of the fire sprinkler system retrofit entailed a complicated gridlock of piping and strategically placed sprinkler heads.   While this plan was well thought out, designers soon agreed that a more simplistic sprinkler system layout would be equally adequate. 

Great Lakes Plumbing & Heating Co. of Chicago, IL was selected to provide installation of the wet system, Schedule 40 sprinkler pipe.  They quickly realized that proper activation and aesthetic appeal could create future issues.  A dually effective solution soon materialized.

The staff of Great Lakes Plumbing & Heating Co. had previously dealt with similar concerns and achieved successful project completion with the Soffi-Steel® System offered by Grice Engineering, Inc.     

The Soffi-Steel System provided was tailored to adapt to the heat collection needs as posed by the sprinkler system layout.  The modifications made to the Soffi-Steel System insured the sprinkler systems would be properly triggered in the instance a fire occurred.      

The flexibility and adaptability of the Soffi-Steel System supplied an uncomplicated installation and exceeded the expectations of the Airline Parties Construction Representative working with Carl Barone, Project Manager for Great Lakes.  According to Barone, “Our clients have been impressed; and it’s (the Soffi-Steel System) been simple to install.”

Tradeshows

Come meet us in person! We are exhibiting at the following industry shows:

• 2009 NFSA Annual Seminar & Exhibition

• NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition

• CONSTRUCT 2009 co-located with The TFM Show

• AFSA's 28th Annual Convention & Exhibition

• 2009 Design-Build Conference & Expo

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