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What do you recommend as the best route when routing fire sprinkler branch pipe for projects with open-web joists?
Advantages (to me) to routing within joists can be higher ceiling elevations, potentially avoiding conflicts with ducts or other systems, and potentially allowing higher clearances below the pipe for vehicles or moving equipment. Disadvantages (to me) seem to include the difficulty of getting the pipe up and into the joist (depending upon the length of the pipe and the opening size in joists), potentially mis-aligning joists that can't allow a straight run, and potentially running into solid girders if all of the structure isn't open-webbed. What are your thoughts? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe
7 Comments
FirePE
4/18/2019 10:13:48 am
As a sprinkler contractor we never want to run pipe in bar joists if possible (unless it is an exposed installation). Pipe needs to be cut to smaller lengths, which results in more fittings and labor time. It also make arm-overs/drops longer and more difficult to get down to the ceiling around the other mechanicals. The best spot for sprinkler is in a plane directly above the ceiling and below the other mechanicals.
Rusty Scott
4/18/2019 10:15:16 am
In a warehouse type web joisted structure branch piping is routed through the web joists and is considered common practice. The head type and head location must be accounted for distance to bracings through so be aware of that.
PETE
4/18/2019 10:25:23 am
Ditto on the warehouse comment. It used to be that ESFR uprights were far more expensive and only available in K-14 and 16, which meant installing pipe in the joist space with ESFR pendents was preferred. Other advantages to this installation are sending one lift up to stuff pipe in the joists (resting on the bottom chords) and having another follow and couple the pipes together and add hangers. Also, in seismic zones, limiting hanger rod lengths to 6" gets rid of the requirement for surge clips (upward movement restraint). For an installation with ceilings (like an office) I like to be 10" above the ceiling elevation.
Bruce Seiler
4/18/2019 10:29:57 am
I agree with the above comments. If the area has no ceiling and is exposed to the structure, we would install the pipe in the joists, given there is enough space to accomplish this. The only reason we would install pipe in the joists where a ceiling is present would be coordination issues. It isn't comment to have a ceiling located that close to the structure where it would benefit installing sprinkler pipe there. Plus, as pointed out, if a sprinkler system is installed at the deck for sprinkler heads going to a ceiling, there would be added coordination to get clear path to sprinkler heads and possibly longer drops. It would not be ideal.
Dan Wilder
4/18/2019 11:08:53 am
How deep are the joists? How deep is the insulation? Are there beams that create the need to come out of the space and go beneath? Will the space become built out with ceilings and the space will become a non-combustible concealed area? Do you have the info on webbing members to correctly route pipe within the space or are you leaving the field to cut the RN as needed when they get onsite (bridging and cross stiffeners as well)? Are you in a seismic area?
David C
4/18/2019 12:59:49 pm
All answers are good, it really depends on many factors, Do you have to sway brace your piping, is there an architectural or owner required clearance to be maintained, etc...
Marc
4/19/2019 06:42:41 am
Lots of great responses here. As stated, it isn't just a canned answer, there are a lot of variables. In situations where the joist are deep enough and far enough apart, the lines can run in the joist space. Sometimes you get beams with joists, so you have to run below them anyway. Again, too many variables to just have one solution. Leave a Reply. |
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