Pipe Stand, Bracing for 12" Fire Pump Discharge?

4/21/2025

Pipe Stands and Bracing I have a 12" fire pump that feeds the "U Turn" in the attached picture. Insurance company is adamant more bracing is needed.

My question is what size pipe stands are required for 12", and do I need more lateral bracing for the surge if the fire pump runs?

All I can find in NFPA 13 only addresses up to 10". Any thoughts or ideas on codes I may be missing would be appreciated.

Thank you!

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4 Comments

Dan Wilder

4/21/2025 08:31:20 am

As it falls outside of NFPA 13 scope, you'll likely need to go with an engineered stand approved for the pipe size and pipe weight. This may include needing a PE depending on your AHJ.

Example:

https://www.asc-es.com/resource/265%20Adjustable%20Pipe%20Saddle%20Support%20With%20U-Bolt%20Submittal

David Kendrick

4/21/2025 08:36:37 am

The challenge with an insurance reviewer making an engineering assessment of an installation.
Even when they’re wrong they can be right.
I’d suspect this is a “I didn’t study physics” in school review.
Sorry for my being cynical.
Bracing these flange joints isn’t as important as supporting the weight and stress placed upon the pump flanges.

Maybe that’s really what is being requested.

Jesse

4/21/2025 08:38:32 am

Yeah, I agree with Dan. It seems like it falls outside the scope of 13. You'll need to have something engineered.

JackvG

4/21/2025 09:23:13 am

For a 12 inch fire pump discharge, NFPA 13&20 does not specify a pipe stand size. Instead the focus is on proper support and placement of the piping to prevent damage or displacement due to vibrations expansion or other factors ( consider weight and thrust on elbow and tee).
13 & 20 standards focus on design , installation and maitanance, of the fire protection systems.
They dont dictate pipe stand sizes but do address the need for proper support.
Large diameter systems, weight, like 12 inch or larger, from a fire pump, require robust support systems to prevent movement, sagging, , and vibration damage.
13 addresses the lication and spacing of hangers and supports for sprinkler systems. A linger pipe span would require additional pipe stands.
20 addreses fire pump installations. It emphasizes
the needvfor proper piping arrangement to prevent issues likevwater hammer, cavitation and ither fliw related problems.
Consult your FPE, or design consultant as the arrangement is outside the scope.
In my ipinion, I wouldbiffer a fire pump surge supressor ( tank ) as a change order to help aleviate
the physical issues . Your FPE could produce calculations on the stress provuded by tge pump on the piping system.
Personally i m not liking the arrangement. While the wafer check may be cheaper, it will create additional losss from a swing check, less pressure to work with for design or safety factor.
The "U" design will slow the velicity ( for high pressure discharge ) or until system is pressurized for a smaller flow( opinion)
Each valve, elbow and or pipe should have support beneath it with the pipe sized by the saddle used, support it. And its MCS " cut " for weights involved, which may show 4 or 6 inch pipe for the weight. ( in lieu of a FPE or mechbengineer review .
I m pretty particular on pump designs with experience of 57 years.

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Pipe Stand, Bracing for 12" Fire Pump Discharge?

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