Empire Industries has operated as a privately owned, family business since 1942, with its primary manufacturing plant based in Manchester, Connecticut. Now in its third generation of family ownership, the company has built its reputation around piping support hardware rather than mechanical equipment. That narrower focus has kept its catalog deep in a single category.
Product Lines
The Empire Industries line carried by SupplyHouse centers on pipe hangers and supports. These include copper epoxy-coated clevis hangers, Milford hangers, split ring extension hangers, riser clamps, and strut clamps in a range of pipe sizes and finishes. Fasteners and accessories, such as fender washers and electro-galvanized hardware, round out the assortment. Plumbing and mechanical crews get a single source for hanging and securing pipe runs.
Why Contractors Specify Empire Industries
Pipe support selection rarely gets attention until a hanger fails or a riser clamp is undersized for the load. Plumbers and mechanical contractors therefore favor hardware built to recognized standards such as MSS SP-58 and SP-69. Empire Industries' copper epoxy coating on hangers used with copper pipe prevents the galvanic corrosion that occurs when bare steel hardware contacts copper tube directly. A long manufacturing history in a narrow product category also means sizing and load data are well established, reducing guesswork during rough-in.
How to Choose Empire Industries Products
Hanger and clamp selection starts with matching pipe size and material. Copper pipe calls for epoxy-coated or copper-plated hardware to avoid galvanic corrosion. Steel and iron pipe can use standard electro-galvanized or black finishes. Riser clamps should be sized to the pipe's outer diameter and chosen in short-arm or standard-arm configurations based on the available wall clearance. Spacing and support intervals should follow local plumbing code rather than a fixed rule of thumb. Interval requirements vary by pipe material and diameter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do copper pipes need epoxy-coated hangers?
Bare steel hardware in direct contact with copper pipe can trigger galvanic corrosion, so epoxy-coated or copper-plated hangers create a barrier that protects both the hanger and the pipe.
What is the difference between a clevis hanger and a riser clamp?
A clevis hanger supports horizontal pipe runs by cradling the pipe from below. A riser clamp supports vertical pipe by clamping around it and resting on a structural surface or bracket.
What standards do Empire Industries hangers meet?
Many Empire Industries hangers and clamps are manufactured to meet MSS SP-58 and SP-69. These are the industry standards for pipe hangers and supports.
How far apart should pipe hangers be spaced?
Spacing depends on pipe material, diameter, and applicable plumbing code requirements. Installers should follow local plumbing code rather than a single universal spacing.
How should a riser clamp be sized and configured?
A riser clamp should be sized to the pipe's outer diameter. It is chosen in a short-arm or standard-arm configuration based on the available wall clearance.