Wrap Low Pipe in Foam Padding or Yellow Tape?

12/25/2024

For a sprinkler pipe that is low enough above the finished floor that it could be walked into by a person of standard height, can it be wrapped in foam or soft material by code to prevent knocking one's head on it?

Alternatively, is it allowed to wrap this pipe in yellow tape or adhesive to increase its visibility to prevent running into it?

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8 Comments

Glenn Berger

12/25/2024 08:46:56 am

Foam insulation will not save the noggin. Recommend wrap piping in accordance with OSHA with safety tape.

Adam

12/25/2024 07:58:02 pm

Yellow tape is generally reserved for gas piping. It might cause confusion.

Jack G

12/25/2024 09:20:21 pm

Of course anything low should be identified with appropriate OSHA safety practices.
I would worry more about protecting the system / low piping from damage / ie forklifts golf carts trucks.

Franck

12/26/2024 01:24:30 am

Possible issue with foam if the pipe is fitted with upright sprinklers: the obstruction issue.
You may artificially create a pipe size greater than 3 in. in diameter and this would require to relocate the sprinkler at 3 x the new pipe diameter.

This is an issue I find from time to time in the field, not for bumping protection, but foam provided to possibly limit the freezing issue on wet sprinkler system located in non sufficiently heated areas (best practice in that case is either a glycol (antifreeze) system, if small area, or dry pipe system).

Jesse

12/26/2024 07:21:23 am

Agree with Frank here. Dependng upon the size of the pipe and now the foam, we might create a cone development problem

Matthew Mueller link

12/26/2024 09:53:07 am

NFPA 25 2023 Ed. 5.2.2.2 says "Sprinkler piping shall not be used to support nonsystem components." Any foam or tape would have to be flagged during an inspection as a deficiency.

Todd E Wyatt

12/31/2024 09:58:12 am

You state that the sprinkler pipe is “low enough above the finished floor that it could be walked into by a person of standard height” but you do not state WHERE this condition occurs.

Per the applicable building Code (e.g. IBC-2024), the Means of Egress (ME) requires a minimum Ceiling Height of 7’-6” (90”) and a minimum Headroom per a Protruding Object (e.g. sprinkler pipe) of 80”.

If this sprinkler pipe is below 80” and it is above “any circulation paths, including walks, corridors, aisles and passageways”, then it is not compliant and would require a “barrier” with the “leading edge … be located 27 inches (686 mm) maximum above the finished floor.”

Todd E Wyatt

12/31/2024 09:58:38 am

REFERENCES
IBC-2024
Chapter 10 Means of Egress
Section 1003 General Means of Egress
1003.1 Applicability
The general requirements specified in Sections 1003 through 1015 shall apply to all three elements of the means of egress system, in addition to those specific requirements for the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge detailed elsewhere in this chapter.
1003.2 CEILING HEIGHT
The means of egress shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm) above the finished floor.
Exceptions:
1. Sloped ceilings in accordance with Section 1208.2.
2. Ceilings of dwelling units and sleeping units within residential occupancies in accordance with Section 1208.2.
3. ALLOWABLE PROJECTIONS in accordance with Section 1003.3.
4. Stair headroom in accordance with Section 1011.3.
5. Door height in accordance with Section 1010.1.1.
6. Ramp headroom in accordance with Section 1012.5.2.
7. The clear height of floor levels in vehicular and pedestrian traffic areas of public and private parking garages in accordance with Section 406.2.2.
8. Areas above and below mezzanine floors in accordance with Section 505.2.
1003.3 Protruding Objects
Protruding objects on circulation paths shall comply with the requirements of Sections 1003.3.1 through 1003.3.4.
1003.3.1 HEADROOM
PROTRUDING OBJECTS are permitted to extend below the MINIMUM CEILING HEIGHT required by Section 1003.2 where a MINIMUM HEADROOM OF 80 INCHES (2032 MM) IS PROVIDED OVER ANY CIRCULATION PATHS, INCLUDING WALKS, CORRIDORS, AISLES AND PASSAGEWAYS. Not more than 50 percent of the ceiling area of a means of egress shall be reduced in height by protruding objects.
Exception: Door closers, overhead doorstops, frame stops, power door operators and electromagnetic door locks shall be permitted to project into the door opening height not lower than 78 inches (1980 mm) above the floor.
A barrier shall be provided where the vertical clearance above a circulation path is less than 80 inches (2032 mm) high above the finished floor. The leading edge of such a barrier shall be located 27 inches (686 mm) maximum above the finished floor.
1003.3.2 Post-Mounted Objects
1003.3.3 Horizontal Projections

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Wrap Low Pipe in Foam Padding or Yellow Tape?

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