Seismic Bracing Any Help When Building Isn't?

6/26/2019

I know where I stand on this topic, but I'm interested in hearing other opinions and seeing if I'm wrong.

An existing, one-story, 35+ year old building that is a Seismic Risk Category IV building was not build to resist lateral loads. The building is being altered under a Level III alteration in the International Existing Building Code (IEBC), and is not required to be structurally braced nor is the sprinkler system required to be retrofit with seismic bracing.

My question is, is there any benefit to bracing a fire sprinkler system where the building is not structurally built to resist lateral loads?

Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

1 Comment

Randy

6/28/2019 11:30:49 am

Counter question: if you are not required to provide it, why give it a second thought?

I would say that it depends. Just because a building is not 'seismically designed' does not mean it's automatically good for nothing. If the pipe is small enough, then bracing can likely do some good. Branch lines restraints have been a growing point of focus. They can whip around and snap off from mains at the joints. If the structure is weak, it will likely not withstand the load applied by feed main or cross main piping.

In any case, bracing certainly does not hurt (other than the wallet...)

Free Signup

Subscribe and learn something new each day:

Community

Thank You to Our Top
February '21 Contributors!

1. Dan W.
2. Franck
3. Jesse
4. CJ B.
5. Brian G.

6. Mike
7. Matt
8. Casey M.
9. Jay R.
10. Glenn B.

Your Post

SUBMIT A QUESTION

The Toolkit

Sprinkler Designer or Engineer?

Get all of our tools, including the Sprinkler Database, Friction Loss Calculator, Fire Pump Analyzer and more:

FREE 30-DAY TRIAL

GET THE TOOLKIT

Why Sponsor?

Filters

Archives

April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
November 2016
October 2016
July 2016
June 2016

Daily

Daily discussions are open-ended fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety questions submitted anonymously for the benefit of sharing expertise and learning from other perspectives. Anyone can submit a question here:

SUBMIT A QUESTION

Exam Prep

2020 PE Prep Guide
(Available Now!)

PE Prep Series
(Available Now!)

2020 PE Prep Series
Current Leaderboard
(Click to enlarge)

PE Problems

Visit July-October for daily Fire Protection PE Exam sample questions.

Solutions are posted the day after posting.

Comment with your solutions, questions or clarifications.

Please note that questions posted are unofficial and in accordance with NCEES rules are intended to be similar to actual exam questions, not actual exam questions themselves.

RSS Feed

Home - About - Blog - Contact - Exam Prep - Store

Copyright © 2021 MeyerFire, LLC
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author shown and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a commission for orders placed elsewhere.