Conduit in composite floor systems 1

[craigory28]

Hi:

I have a composite floor system composed of 2" deck with 3 1/2" concrete topping for total thickness of 5 1/2". I got a request from the owner and mechanical engineer to put some copper pipping in the floor slab for heating around windows. The pipping I was told would be a maximum of 1" thick. I figure this would be similar to conduit in floor the slab. Does anyone know of an article or something that addresses this issue?

Thanks.

 

[Taro]

Analyze the slab to determine if the conduit is acceptable from a capacity standpoint. Also consider that conduit in the concrete topping may cause extra slab cracking and may violate the slab fire rating requirements.

 

[structuresguy]

I would avoid it if possible. I have had contractor's put 1" dia. conduit in 5" slab on 2" deck. It cracked along the top of every conduit. It was a real mess. The owner was PISSED!

I understand the owner wants to heat around windows, but maybe they need to find another way. Or drop the slab down and make it thicker in those areas.

 

[jheidt2543]

Run the pipe under the slab deck and poke through the slab in the areas you need to. Structuresguy is right, the slab will crack along each embedded pipe. Also, finding a leak in copper pipe is tough enough, but if it is covered in the concrete it is a nightmere!