What is Defined as Sprig for Pipe Over 4-ft Long?

10/28/2022

Are you required to to laterally brace a pipe rise over 4-ft long to an upright, even though there is a horizontal break with a hanger?

Is the vertical rise of pipe, before the break, considered a sprig or is the vertical pipe that feeds directly to the head considered the sprig?

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3 Comments

10/28/2022 08:15:59 am

I would consider the vertical pipe before the sprig a riser, and it would require a hanger within 2'-0" of the riser as per NFPA 13 2013 9.2.5. Some lateral stability will be given from a hanger as per this code.

I would guess the NFPA committee requires a lateral support for sprigs since there is no horizontal piping to provide a typical ceiling-based hanger. However, the "riser" leads to an armover piece which can have a hanger, so I would say no lateral support is required on that piece. Depending on how long and the diameter of the riser piping in this example I would request a lateral support, but it is not required by code.

Dan Wilder

10/28/2022 08:39:51 am

NFPA 13 defines a Sprig as "A pipe that rises vertically and supplies a single sprinkler".

However, like much of NFPA, words matter...my take is as follows:

I would focus on the word "pipe"...singular. The horizontal offset resets where the definition of "Sprig" starts from the 1" elbow after the arm-over, not the 1" pipe from the main.

I would argue that the arm-over with the hanger provides enough restraint to avoid any further hanging needs for any restraint below (minus any total length or seismic requirements, different subject), the pipe below the offset could be defined as either a "riser" or possibly a "branch line"

Looking through some other definitions....

Arm-over - A horizontal pipe that extends from the branch line to a single sprinkler or a sprinkler above and below a ceiling.

Branch line - the pipes supplying sprinklers, either directly or through springs, drops, return bends, or arm-overs. (Notice no mention of direction horizontal or vertical)

Risers - The vertical supply pipes in a sprinkler system. (Notice this is not defined with a location, size, or being singular and IS NOT a system riser)

System riser - The above ground horizontal or vertical pipe between the water supply and the mains (cross or feed) that contains a control valve (either directly or within its supply pipe), a pressure gauge, a drain, and a waterflow alarm device.

Free download -
https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/Resources/Glossary-of-Terms

Chris

11/1/2022 02:30:14 pm

I would say since the vertical piece is not technically a sprig a hanger like the illustration shows would work.

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What is Defined as Sprig for Pipe Over 4-ft Long?

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