Thank you all for your comments and help. The meeting went well today and was actually a presentation as to how the information was derived. Very good and helpful. The short of the long is, so long as you have a geo tech report on the soils and the numbers work out to place you in the right category A or B, seismic rules do not apply.
Again, I want to thank everyone for your input it helped me to be informed going into today's meeting. Thanks, Bob Knight, CET III 208-318-3057 www.firebyknight.com -----Original Message----- From: ParsleyConsulting [mailto:parsleyconsult...@cox.net] Sent: Friday, March 15, 2013 9:24 AM To: b...@firebyknight.com; sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: Re: Seismic and ASCE 7 Bob, and everyone else who weighed in on this, My apologies for not chiming in sooner, I was away from the office yesterday. ASCE7 is the basis for "when" fire sprinkler systems require seismic protection, and while I'm not sure about other states, here in California that document is adopted by reference in the California Building Code. You may want to check the building code in your area to see if it doesn't include ASCE7 as an "adopted" or "referenced" standard. You'll also find it in the referenced publications (section 2.3), of the 2010 edition of NFPA 13, which indicates to my non-lawyer eyes that it is "considered part of the requirements" of NFPA 13. Both ASCE7 (in section 11), and the IBC (in section 1613) provide a means to establish the seismic design category. It's also worth noting that IBC references ASCE7 in the process. The only variable which is complicated in the process of establishing the SDC is the "Site Class", as it involves some soil considerations which truly should be made by an engineer of record. The default class is presumed to be "D", however this should not be a decision made by a fire sprinkler contractor. Once the SDC has been established, there is little left to review, because the remaining calculations are simple math and values from tables. ASCE7-10, notes in section 13.1.4 (4) that "mechanical and electrical components in seismic design category B" are exempt from requiring seismic protection. The very next "exemption" states that "mechanical and electrical components in seismic design category C [are exempt] provided that the component importance factor (Ip) is equal to 1.0". Section 13.1.3 specifies that "...the component importance factor shall be 1.5 if....(1) the component is required to function for life-safety purposes after an earthquake, including fire sprinkler systems...." And, eventually, ASCE7 section 13.6.8.2, gets around to advising that "Fire protection sprinkler piping, pipe hangers, and bracing designed and constructed in accordance with NFPA 13 shall be deemed to meet the force and displacement requirements of this section." That is also the conclusion reached by the IBC in section 1613.6.3. So, Bob, to your question, if the building is indeed in design category "B", no seismic protection is required for the fire sprinkler system by ASCE7 or the IBC. Any category higher than that (C-D-E-F), will require seismic protection. Hope that helps. PARSLEY CONSULTING Ken Wagoner, SET 760.745.6181 voice 760.745.0537 fax parsleyconsult...@cox.net <mailto:parsleyconsult...@cox.net>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. On 3/14/2013 3:03 PM, Bob wrote: > There is a project that I am not involved in, but the AHJ called for > an opinion. The situation revolves around the idea that if a building > is in site class C and design category B, the sway bracing > requirements of NFPA 13 are waved by ASCE 7. I have not come across > this before, and there is a certain fire sprinkler contractor that is > eliminating the sway bracing, retaining straps, etc... on several > large warehouse / distribution buildings. The claim is that ASCE 7 > allows for this. Has anyone come across this and have information > verifying or negating it? I am meeting with several AHJ's in regard > to this tomorrow morning, so any input will be extremely useful. > > Thank you, > > Bob Knight, CET III > 208-318-3057 > www.firebyknight.com _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
