Core Drilling for Penetrations in Little Rock, AR

Core holes for plumbing, HVAC, electrical and fire-protection penetrations without damaging adjacent steel.

Core Drilling for Penetrations for Little Rock Projects

Core drilling cuts round holes through concrete using a diamond-tipped bit on a rig anchored to the floor or wall. The holes range from small conduit sleeves to openings large enough for pipes, ducts and floor drains, and the result is a clean, round penetration that can be sleeved, sealed and fire-stopped. Core drilling is the workhorse of renovation: nearly every new plumbing, HVAC, electrical or fire-protection line that crosses a slab or wall begins with a core.

In Little Rock the demand is strongest in hospital and medical renovation, where every new room tends to need penetrations, and in tenant finish-outs along the west Little Rock corridor and downtown. Industrial projects at the port also use large-diameter cores for process lines. Because core drilling is quiet, relatively low in vibration and easy to contain with water capture, it is often the method of choice in occupied buildings.

Cores are not risk-free. A bit that hits rebar, a conduit or a post-tension tendon can cause damage that is expensive or dangerous to fix, so scanning before drilling is standard practice. Holes through fire-rated floors and walls need fire-stopping afterward, and structural engineers may need to approve cores near beams, columns or in thin slabs. Positioning cores with the engineer's input and a scan record helps avoid problems later.

Little Rock-Specific Considerations

Hospital work around the UAMS district generally requires infection-control barriers, scanning records and phased work windows. Slabs on expansive clay soils in west Little Rock may crack or move, so cores near joints or existing cracks should be positioned with care. In river-bottom areas, groundwater can reach slab-on-grade penetrations, so sealing and waterproofing of the core after installation is worth planning. Penetrations through fire-rated assemblies need rated sealing and inspection, so confirm requirements with the building official.

Our Core Drilling for Penetrations Process

1. Scan the area
GPR scanning identifies rebar, conduit and tendons so the core location can be shifted to avoid them.
2. Mark and approve locations
Core locations and diameters are marked, and the engineer approves any near structural elements or in thin slabs.
3. Anchor the rig and set water control
The rig is anchored, water supply and slurry capture are arranged, and areas below the core are protected or cleared.
4. Drill and remove the core
The core is drilled through, the plug is removed, and the hole is checked for diameter and position.
5. Clean up and hand off
Slurry is cleaned up and the penetration is handed over for sleeving, sealing and fire-stopping.

Reference Specifications

Typical equipment: Track-mounted wall saws, walk-behind pavement saws, wet core drills and handheld ring saws
Cut accuracy: Straight cuts to the layout line with depth matched to slab thickness and reinforcement
Pre-cut scanning: Concrete scanning (GPR) and utility locating before coring or sawing slabs, walls and decks

Industrial Corridors We Serve

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Core Drilling for Penetrations FAQ — Little Rock

How close to rebar can a core be drilled?

There is no universal distance, because it depends on the slab, the bit size and the engineer's direction. Scanning shows rebar and conduit locations so the core can be positioned between them, and the structural engineer may restrict cuts near beams, columns or tendons. If a bar must be cut, the engineer should approve it first. Ask for a scan record before drilling.

Are cored holes through fire-rated floors allowed?

Often yes, provided the penetration is properly sealed with an approved fire-stop system afterward. The building code and the building official determine what is acceptable, and inspection is typically required. Hospital projects may have extra owner requirements. Confirm with the City of Little Rock Planning and Development Department and your design team before drilling through rated assemblies.

Is core drilling quiet and clean enough for occupied spaces?

It is generally quieter and cleaner than hammer drilling, particularly with wet cutting and a vacuum for slurry. Dust is low, and vibration is limited. Noise from the rig and the water pump still exists, so hospitals and offices may restrict hours. Barriers and floor protection keep areas around the core clean. Confirm the facility's rules before scheduling.