Seismic bracing

[PRinspector]

Can oval sleeve be used insted of the 4 tight turns in seiscmic wire? If so, what is the minimun in distance from the side of the pipe that should be maintain?
Thanks in advance.

PS. Is there is such thing as sprinkler bracing for dummies book out there?

 

[stookeyfpe]

Nope. Your entered into an arena that you DOD folks (given your log in) need to focus on the UFC and respect the engineer's design. Go back to the standards and construction drawings.

 

[Sdpaddler50]

PRM, eq bracing can be a complicated subject. The fire protection community in general did not do a good job enforcing it in my geo area(me included) until we had some good shakers in the mid 90's. Consultants, ahj's all watch it fairly close now which is good to see. I would suggest you print out the basic rules for bracing from 13; laterals, long, vertical restraint, etc. Then try to walk various bldgs (warehouse's especially where you can see the pipe) and look for it. After a while, you start to see bracing patterns that you will easily recognize. Then, when you look at prints, it's easier to review them.

 

[TravisMack]

I hope this is not considered an advertisement. I would contact Ken Wagoner of Parsley Consulting in San Diego, CA. He does seminars throughout the country on seismic bracing. He has forgotten more about bracing than I will ever know. Most of what I have learned about bracing has come from discussions with Ken and attending his seminars.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

 

[stookeyfpe]

Adding to Travis's comments, Ken is a very accessible and intelligent person on this subject. He sits on the NFPA 13 Chapter 9 TC.

 

[PRinspector]

Thanks for the reply,
Yes I'm a DOD employee, and yes I know the UFC pretty well, however the UFC will refer back to the NFPA 13.That been said you will be amazed as to how much junk we get to see coming across our desks during plans review. And let me tell you about installations, some time I wonder if there is any workmanship out there. I guess that is because in DOD/government projects is not the knowledge required for overseen the proper installation, not only in the sprinkler system but fire alarms systems. Believe me when I say that we got fight the contractors to get a good system installed IAW to the code. I guess I’m the only one question the mediocre work done when it comes to bracing.
Lou

 

[Patrickboone]

PR Inspector,
The question indicates you're talking about two completly different products. To claify; when we speak of "4 tight turns" it would be a reference to ceiling type wires whereas Oval sleeves are only to be installed on seismic cable assemblies or cable / wire rope assemblies (not all wire rope or aircraft cable may be used for seismic it must meet the standards are written in ASCE19). The only seismic cable system that uses oval sleeves in the market is manufactured by LOOS and company, they may be identified in the field easily because they incorporated color codes to inspect for break strength of cable installed / designed for the system. The other manufacturers of UL listed seismic cable assembllies would be Tolco/Bline which uses a bolt clamping product. Sorry to go on so long, but the short answer is NO oval sleeves cannot be used in lieu of 4 tight twists.
Sorry to say there are no seismic for dummies manuals out there that stay in updated with current codes. The only way to fully understand seismic is to go to the source referenced in the code and there are only two. NFPA 13 for sprinklers and ASCE 7 chapter 13.
Good question, please feel free to contact me anytime and I will be glad to either answer the question or provide you with the documentation.
Patrick Boone