Flexible connections at Building Expansion Joints

[dyhvac100]

I am designing piping and ductwork systems in an existing 21 story building in the Northeast USA, and there are existing building expansion joints, 3" wide gap, at two points in the building to effectively separate it into 3 separate structures. In this case, the building is old and is not seismically rated, so there are no seismic requirements. Do I need to provide flexible connections on the piping and ductwork at these expansion joints? For the piping expansion joints can the connection just be a simple flexible pipe connection, or must it be an expansion loop/bellows/metraflex type of flexible connection/expansion connection? Thanks for any input!

 

[MTES93]

Yeah, I would provide them. You mentioned the types that could be used. Not sure a bellows would work as those are just axial movement, you need movement perpendicular to the pipe length I assume. Check anticipated building movement (normally this value comes from structural engineer) and select one that will provide the non-axial movement to match.
check some mfgr's literature (Metraflex for one)and see what they offer.