Flexible coupling to accommodate thermal expansion.

[sv879]

Dear Experts,

As per NFPA 13 ed 19, Flexible coupling requirement to accommodate thermal expansion in building is coming under Chapter 18 Installation Requirements for Seismic Protection. One of the projects, seismic is not required. However, irrespective of seismic requirement, whether we need to provide flexible coupling / expansion joint attached to piping (whenever pipe is passing through building expansion) to address thermal expansion?

Note: I have came across one of the old similar thread and its being closed now : thread184-349043

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sv879]

Does anyone have any input on my query, please.

 

[TravisMack]

Location has meaning in the standards. Chapter 18 is requirements for Seismic protection. If you are not required to provide seismic protection for your project, then nothing in Chap 18 applies to your project.

Travis Mack, SET, CWBSP, RME-G, CFPS
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

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[sv879]

TravisMack, thank you for your comment.
Requirement of building expansion moved to Chapter 18 installation requirement for seismic protection at 2019 edition, wheres in earlier editions, there were no such chapter. This is the one making confusion, based on my understanding seismic restraints and expansion joint are completely independent. Kindly share your thought on this.

 

[UFT12]

SV879,

you are mistaken. The complete information of chapter 18 in edition 19 was in 9.3 in edition 16 and prior, including clearance and expansion joint assemblies. The expansion joints are NOT independent of seismic restraints. To the contrary, they are necessary to allow the piping system to have flexibility where two parts of a building can move independently during seismic movement. Otherwise the piping will break and therefore will be immediately rendered useless.

 

[TravisMack]

I think the question stems from the situation of you can have an expansion joint in a building that doesn't require seismic protection. It is something like all seismic joints are expansion joints, but not all expansion joints are seismic joints. So, in a non-seismic protected building, do you still have the requirement for flex couplings at the expansion joints?

I have taken the approach to always put a flex coupling at building expansion joints. We don't have to put the full seismic flex loop assembly for a simple expansion joint. But, I believe a flex coupling is or should be required within a foot of the joint.

Travis Mack, SET, CWBSP, RME-G, CFPS
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

"Follow" us at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/92218417692

 

[sv879]

Based on your comment, is it necessary to consider structural separation in building while calculating for number of flexible coupling required to accommodate thermal expansion / contraction? (or) we need to address only changes in pipe due to the temperature changes?

For eg: Total thermal expansion in fire protection pipe calculated as 30mm, and structural/civil drawing shows 50mm structural separation in building. Number of coupling requirement is based on 30mm or 50mm? Kindly advice on this.