Seismic restraint

[IAmIR]

Anyone know of a good web site that explains seismic controls for Health care Facilities? I live in the Philadelphia Phillies area. Everything I am reading from the IBC is confusing at best. I am trying to figure out if 2" conduit falls under the category of seismic bracing testing and certification. Seems this seismic thing is gaining a lot of momentum lately. We just got stuck paying a structural engineer $7k for a cert. BTW....that wasn't in the bid either...

 

[Highpointspecialties]

Seismic Bracing Requirements

Seismic Bracing Requirements

Hi,
2" conduit on a single run does not need to be braced per IBC 2006, the exceptions are as follows:

"all electrical conduit less than 2-1/2" in trade size

"all piping on a single hanger less than 12" from the deck"

" all trapeze weighing less than 10lbs per foot"

Patrick Boone

 

[Highpointspecialties]

No it does not as long as it is a single run. The 2006 IBC section 1632A.6 criteria for bracing gives us exemptions, and they are as follows:


Line 2
"all piping suspended by indivudual hangers 12" or less in length from the top of the pipe to the bottom of the structural support for the hanger, or "all single electrical conduits less than 2-1/2" trade size"

Section 1632A.6.1 - All trapeze assemblies supporting pipes less than 10 lbs per ft" (shortened paragraph)

Hope that helps
Patrick Boone

 

[IAmIR]

Thank you very much! That was my interpretation as well however the Architect and Hospital personnel had there own?

 

[12345rsmith]

Be careful with hospitals.

Within health care in general you will often wind up with two codes enforced. The IBC (or whatever) by the state and/0r building department, and the NFPA Life Safety Code visa vi Federal requirements. Fortunately, since the IBC cribbed a lot of its language from the Life Safety Code they are usually pretty close to each other.