// CODE SNIPPET
9.3 Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes
JUMP TO FULL CODE CHAPTER
Where water-based fire protection systems are required to be protected against damage from earthquakes, the requirements of Section 9.3 shall apply, unless the requirements of 9.3.1.2 are met.
Alternative methods of providing earthquake protection of sprinkler systems based on a seismic analysis certified by a registered professional engineer such that system performance will be at least equal to that of the building structure under expected seismic forces shall be permitted.
Braces and restraints shall not obstruct sprinklers and shall comply with the obstruction rules of Chapter 8.
Couplings shall be arranged to coincide with structural separations within a building.
Systems having more flexible couplings than required by this section shall be provided with additional sway bracing as required in 9.3.5.5.9.
The flexible couplings shall be installed as follows:
- *Within 24 in. (600 mm) of the top and bottom of all risers, unless the following provisions are met:
- Within 12 in. (300 mm) above and within 24 in. (600 mm) below the floor in multistory buildings
- On both sides of concrete or masonry walls within 1 ft (300 mm) of the wall surface, unless clearance is provided in accordance with 9.3.4
- *Within 24 in. (600 mm) of building expansion joints
- Within 24 in. (600 mm) of the top of drops exceeding 15 ft (4.6 m) in length to portions of systems supplying more than one sprinkler, regardless of pipe size
- Within 24 in. (600 mm) above and 24 in. (600 mm) below any intermediate points of support for a riser or other vertical pipe
When the flexible coupling below the floor is above the tie-in main to the main supplying that floor, a flexible coupling shall be provided in accordance with one of the following:
- *On the horizontal portion within 24 in. (600 mm) of the tie-in where the tie-in is horizontal
- *On the vertical portion of the tie-in where the tie-in incorporates a riser
Flexible couplings for drops to hose lines, rack sprinklers, mezzanines, and freestanding structures shall be installed regardless of pipe sizes as follows:
- Within 24 in. (600 mm) of the top of the drop
- Within 24 in. (600 mm) above the uppermost drop support attachment, where drop supports are provided to the structure, rack, or mezzanine
- Within 24 in. (600 mm) above the bottom of the drop where no additional drop support is provided
An approved seismic separation assembly shall be installed where sprinkler piping, regardless of size, crosses building seismic separation joints at ground level and above.
Seismic separation assemblies shall consist of flexible fittings or flexible piping so as to allow movement sufficient to accommodate closing of the separation, opening of the separation to twice its normal size, and movement relative to the separation in the other two dimensions in an amount equal to the separation distance.
The seismic separation assembly shall include a four-way brace upstream and downstream within 6 ft (1.8 m) of the seismic separation assembly.
Bracing shall not be attached to the seismic separation assembly.
Clearance shall be provided around all piping extending through walls, floors, platforms, and foundations, including drains, fire department connections, and other auxiliary piping.
Unless any of the requirements of 9.3.4.3 through 9.3.4.7 or 9.3.4.10 are met, where pipe passes through holes in platforms, foundations, walls, or floors, the holes shall be sized such that the diameter of the holes is nominally 2 in. (50 mm) larger than the pipe for pipe 1 in. (25 mm) nominal to 31/2 in. (90 mm) nominal and 4 in. (100 mm) larger than the pipe for pipe 4 in. (100 mm) nominal and larger.
Where clearance is provided by a pipe sleeve, a nominal diameter 2 in. (50 mm) larger than the nominal diameter of the pipe shall be acceptable for pipe sizes 1 in. (25 mm) through 31/2 in. (90 mm), and the clearance provided by a pipe sleeve of nominal diameter 4 in. (100 mm) larger than the nominal diameter of the pipe shall be acceptable for pipe sizes 4 in. (100 mm) and larger.
No clearance shall be required for piping passing through gypsum board or equally frangible construction that is not required to have a fire resistance rating.
No clearance shall be required if flexible couplings are located within 1 ft (300 mm) of each side of a wall or if the requirements of 9.3.2.3.1(2) are met.
No clearance shall be required where horizontal piping passes perpendicularly through successive studs or joists that form a wall or floor/ceiling assembly.
No clearance shall be required where nonmetallic pipe has been demonstrated to have inherent flexibility equal to or greater than the minimum provided by flexible couplings located within 1 ft (300 mm) of each side of a wall, floor, platform, or foundation.
Where required, the clearance shall be filled with a flexible material that is compatible with the piping material.
The installed horizontal and upward vertical clearance between horizontal sprinkler piping and structural members not penetrated or used, collectively or independently, to support the piping shall be at least 2 in. (50 mm).
No clearance shall be required where piping is supported by holes through structural members as permitted by 9.1.1.6.3.
The installed clearance between a sprinkler and structural elements not used collectively or independently to support the sprinklers shall be at least 3 in. (75 mm).
Where sprinklers are installed using flexible sprinkler hose, clearance for the sprinkler shall not be required.
Clearance shall not be required for piping that is vertically supported by the bottom edge of holes through structural members as permitted by 9.1.1.6.3.
No horizontal clearance (tight fit) shall be provided for piping that is laterally supported by the side edges of holes through structural members.
The system piping shall be braced to resist both lateral and longitudinal horizontal seismic loads and to prevent vertical motion resulting from seismic loads.
The structural components to which bracing is attached shall be determined to be capable of resisting the added applied seismic loads.
Horizontal loads on system piping shall be determined in accordance with 9.3.5.9.
When a shared support structure is used to support gravity and seismic loads, the structure shall be designed to support these loads for all pipe and distribution systems on the structure using either 9.3.5.9.3 or 9.3.5.9.4 with an importance factor, Ip, of 1.5 being applied to all of the distribution systems.
If a shared support structure is used to support sprinkler pipe and other distribution systems per 9.1.1.3.1 and that structure does not provide seismic resistance as required in 9.3.5.1.4, the following shall be met:
- The sprinkler pipe shall be braced using the method in 9.3.5.6 with the zone of influence including the water-filled sprinkler pipe and all other distribution systems that are not independently equipped with seismic protection and attached to the shared support structure.
- The sprinkler sway bracing attachment shall be connected to the same building or structure as the shared support structure.
Sway bracing assemblies shall be listed for a maximum load rating, unless the requirements of 9.3.5.2.2 are met.
Where sway bracing utilizing pipe, angles, flats, or rods as shown in Table 9.3.5.11.8(a) Table 9.3.5.11.8(b), and Table 9.3.5.11.8(c) is used, the components shall not require listing.
Bracing fittings and connections used with those specific materials shall be listed.
The listed load rating shall be reduced as shown in Table 9.3.5.2.3 to determine the allowable load for installations where the brace is less than 90 degrees from vertical.
Table 9.3.5.2.3 Listed Horizontal Load Adjustment
| Brace Angle Degrees from Vertical | Allowable Horizontal Load |
|---|---|
| 30 to 44 | Listed load rating divided by 2.000 |
| 45 to 59 | Listed load rating divided by 1.414 |
| 60 to 89 | Listed load rating divided by 1.155 |
| 90 | Listed load rating |
Maximum allowable horizontal loads shall be determined by testing at angles of 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees from vertical and confirmed to be equal to or greater than those calculated using 9.3.5.2.3.
For attachments to structures, additional tests shall be performed at 0 degrees.
Unless permitted by 9.3.5.3.2, components of sway brace assemblies shall be ferrous.
Nonferrous components that have been proven by fire tests to be adequate for the hazard application, that are listed for this purpose, and that are in compliance with the other requirements of this section shall be acceptable.
Sway braces shall be designed to withstand forces in tension and compression, unless the requirements of 9.3.5.4.2 are met.
Tension-only bracing systems shall be permitted for use where listed for this service and where installed in accordance with their listing limitations, including installation instructions.
For all braces, whether or not listed, the maximum allowable load shall be based on the weakest component of the brace with safety factors.
Lateral sway bracing shall be provided on all feed and cross mains regardless of size and all branch lines and other piping with a diameter of 21/2 in. (65 mm) and larger.
Where branch lines are not provided with lateral sway bracing, they shall be provided with restraint in accordance with 9.3.6.
Related Code Sections
9.3 Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping, Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes
Where water-based fire protection systems are required to be protected against damage from earthquakes, the requirements of Section 9.3 shall apply ...
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2016 of New York State > 9 Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping > 9.3 Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes
9.3 Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping, Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes
Where water-based fire protection systems are required to be protected against damage from earthquakes, the requirements of Section 9.3 shall apply ...
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2013 of New York State > 9 Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping > 9.3 Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes
9.3.4* Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping, Clearance
the requirements of 9.3.4.3 through 9.3.4.7 are met, where pipe passes through holes in platforms, foundations, walls, or floors, the holes shall be sized ...
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2013 of New York State > 9 Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping > 9.3 Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes > 9.3.4* Clearance
9.3.4* Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping, Clearance
of the requirements of 9.3.4.3 through 9.3.4.7 or 9.3.4.10 are met, where pipe passes through holes in platforms, foundations, walls, or floors, the holes ...
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2016 of New York State > 9 Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping > 9.3 Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes > 9.3.4* Clearance
9.3.2* Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping, Couplings
Listed flexible pipe couplings joining grooved end pipe shall be provided as flexure joints to allow individual sections of piping 2 1 / 2 in. (65 ...
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2016 of New York State > 9 Hanging, Bracing, and Restraint of System Piping > 9.3 Protection of Piping Against Damage Where Subject to Earthquakes > 9.3.2* Couplings