Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
(OP)
WE are seeing more and more cases of unistrut type systems fastening sprinkler piping to building structure. If oriented so that piping is not hanging down against the clamp, the shear or slip load limits are small enough so that the piping does not meet the 5X weight of water-filled pipe + 250 pounds from each point of attachment per NFPA 13. Anyone else seen this? Would appreciate an AHJ point of view also.





RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
I can't find uni-strut clamps anywhere in the FM Approval Guide or UL Listing for fire sprinklers. If they are not there you can't use them unless you can get a PE to sign off.
From a personal standpoint I'd go with using a uni-strut clamp to secure a 1" inspector's test drop to a wall, I've never met anyone that would object to that yet, but hanging mains is a different story.
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
"Unistrut is strictly forbidden here."
Please explain you lost me here. Forbidden?
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
This is just my local AHJ's stance on unistrut.
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
ht
I would need to research the listing but on the surface it looks as if this system can specified for hanging fire protection piping.
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
I should have been clearer on the type of clamp I was referring to...it is one that actually rides in the strut. The answers confirm what we have maintained, that typical unistrut and pipe clamps are not listed for fire sprinkler piping use.
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
Regards
Dave
RE: Uni-strut and clamps used as fire sprinkler pipe hangers
http://www.powerstrut.com/psjan2005/fibergl182.jpg
Remember this is for solid unistrut and not slotted.
Most of the time we see PS200 Uused (oftentimes slotted which makes it worse) and given the literature it can't much be used for anything other than branch lines and very short spans.