Another interesting condition that can increase the seismic design requirements are the types of soils your building on. Even in an area with a very low level of seismic activity, that can be magnified by the soils, kind of a counter dampening effect. This is most often seen in swampy and river bottom areas. The problem is with all the development of the past 100 years, some traditionally "Swamps" are now down town urban areas like D.C. So the soils testing becomes a factor in the seismic design category selection. I call this the "Bowl of Jell-O" effect, it only takes a little motion to get it going, but then it just seems to keep on moving on its own.
Thom McMahon, SET Firetech, Inc. 2560 Copper Ridge Dr P.O. Box 882136 Steamboat Springs, CO 80488 Tel: 970-879-7952 Fax: 970-879-7926 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of ParsleyConsulting Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:23 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Seismic Protection What Craig said. There's information in ASCE7 and the IBC that will help you determine whether or not your project is required to follow the rules for seismic protection, which is considerably more extensive than just bracing. And there are no more seismic zones, it's now based on information regarding the position of the site relative to faults or seismic activity areas, and there is important data from the USGS (available free on their website) necessary to determine those values. In short, what you're looking to determine is the "Seismic Design Category", which is designated as A through F. In category A and B there are no requirements for seismic protection of sprinkler systems. In category C the protection requirements are based on complying with the information in the '02 edition of NFPA-13 In category D and E you must follow the requirements of ASCE7 with respect to horizontal force and pipe displacement, which can be achieved by following the guidelines in the '07 edition of NFPA-13. In category F you may as well buy some kind of rubber isolators because you're floating on mud. Well, maybe not quite, but the civil and structural engineers for the project are already going to be well aware of the conditions and will most likely give you some excellent guidance on what to do. Chapters 11 and 13 of ASCE7-05, and section 1613 of the '06 IBC contain somewhat identical information on how to determine the seismic design category. -- PARSLEY CONSULTING Ken Wagoner, SET 760.745.6181 voice 760.745.0537 fax [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> e-mail www.ParsleyConsulting.com <http://www.ParsleyConsulting.com> website IMPORTANT NOTICE: This correspondence is not a Formal Interpretation issued pursuant to NFPA Regulations. Any opinion expressed is the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the official position of the NFPA or its Technical Committees. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services. Phil Nawrocki wrote: > We are in Phoenix, seismic zone #1. > > Regards, > Phillip H. Nawrocki > Design Manager > National Fire Sprinkler, Inc. > 1544 W. Grant St. > Phoenix, AZ 85007-3314 > (602) 712-1180 Phone Ext #33 > (602) 712-1260 Fax > [email protected] > Fire Sprinklers Save Lives! > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jay > White > Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 6:24 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: Seismic Protection > > Are you in a seismic zone? > > > Jay White > Estimator/Design Manager > Dynamic Fire Protection > 1807 Hwy. 25 South > Starkville, MS 39759 > Phone: 662-324-1550 > Fax: 662-324-1545 > Cell: 662-312-2426 > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Phil > Nawrocki > Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:07 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Seismic Protection > > Good Morning. We would like to know what determines when seismic > protection is required in buildings. We know NFPA #13 tells us how to > install the protection, but not when it is required. Thank you. > > > > Regards, > > Phillip H. Nawrocki > Design Manager > National Fire Sprinkler, Inc. > 1544 W. Grant St. > Phoenix, AZ 85007-3314 > (602) 712-1180 Phone Ext #33 > (602) 712-1260 Fax > [email protected] > Fire Sprinklers Save Lives! > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: > [email protected] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email > to:[email protected] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: > [email protected] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email > to:[email protected] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: > [email protected] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email > to:[email protected] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
