Nearby Lateral & Longitudinal Considered 4-Way?

3/22/2022

For seismic bracing, can one lateral and one longitudinal brace, attached within 2-foot of a drop to the floor below, be considered a 4-way brace?

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10 Comments

3/22/2022 08:20:09 am

Yes, it most likely is acceptable. FM Data Sheet 2-8 show many example situations like this. While is is not the NFPA standard, I find DS 2-8 is much more stringent and therefore it is good to read due to the better examples and pictures provided.

FM also provides the following definition for a four-way brace:

"Four-way bracing: Sway bracing intended to resist differential movement of the piping system in all horizontal
directions. Most often used on vertical pipe. When applied to horizontal piping, it is essentially a lateral and
a longitudinal brace in the same location."

Alex

3/22/2022 01:05:19 pm

I agree with JL here. FM data sheets tend to provide great examples/pictures.

Jesse

3/22/2022 08:25:18 am

Agree with Jl.

Casey Milhorn

3/22/2022 09:25:50 am

I second the opinion as well. Seismic bracing does have some room for interpretation and for myself over the years I find a little common sense goes a long way. Not that the standards aren't mostly clear, but just like with underground pipe and fitting restraint, understanding the intent and end goal goes a long way in understanding why the rules are there and how to deal with different situations. Great question!

Brian Gerdwagen FPE

3/22/2022 09:31:10 am

You need to make sure that there is not a flexible coupling between the brace and the drop.

COLIN LUSHER link

3/22/2022 10:51:20 am

Brian, doesn't NFPA-13 (2016) Figure A9.3.2(a) allows the brace to be provided either above or below the flex coupling on the riser? It seems like either configuration is acceptable, right?

SCHULMAN

3/22/2022 10:17:08 am

good point by Brian ...
you didn't mention the type of bracing ...
it's not a four-way brace if it doesn't resist forces in tension AND compression ...so if they are cable stays they aren't four-way unless there's four of them ....

Manny Rios

3/22/2022 10:59:00 am

Good Morning!
This would acceptable per applicable code requirements as already stated. Have a great one!

Patrick Nelligan

3/22/2022 12:50:24 pm

NFPA 13-2016 definition is: 3.11.3* Four-Way Bracing. Adjacent sway braces or a sway brace assembly intended to resist differential movement of the system piping in all horizontal directions.
A.3.11.3 Four-Way Bracing. A sway brace assembly could include a lateral and longitudinal brace in combination.

sean

3/22/2022 07:37:20 pm

I like FM as much as the next guy but I don't like their development process.

Let me ask one question at what distance would you not be treated as a four way brace? What code or standard are you using for this justification?

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Nearby Lateral & Longitudinal Considered 4-Way?

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