Piping

Restraining piping can pose a challenge due to limited room, high ceilings, and a web of ductwork, piping, and electrical conduit. Vibro-Acoustics provides on-site trade coordination and custom pipe stand designs that help installing contractors achieve code compliance with minimal labor costs. Piping systems have unique parameters to consider when selecting vibration isolation and seismic restraints, most notably different pipe materials and thermal expansion and contraction.

Application Details

Master VIRS Pre-Submittal Package

Restrain non-structural components against seismic, wind, or blast forces.

The Vibro-Acoustics RRK rigid restraint brackets provide installation savings, post-equipment installation capability, and a universal bracket design that simplifies product installation.

To keep hanger rods from bending and buckling due to seismic activity, additional steel angles are clamped to our easy-to-install rod stiffener clamp, VAC. Our rod stiffener calculator will determine if and how many rod stiffeners are required based on seismic variables to save labor.

Design Considerations

Structure-Borne Vibration

Problem: Vibration can travel from unit through piping connected to equipment into the structure via the threaded rods.

Solution: Spring hangers are recommended on the inlet and discharge piping before the drop and until the vibration is dissipated. Depending on pipe size, this set-up usually requires 3 to 5 hangers on either side. Proper calculations should be performed for quantity and locations of the hangers.

Seismic Requirements

Problem: Horizontal and vertical forces applied at the center of the pipe require lateral bracing.

Solution: Properly designed cable or solid restraint system to be installed. Cable system required when piping is isolated.

Problem: Net uplift forces on units with spring hangers can cause damage and lead to failure of spring hangers.

Solution: Spring hangers with up stop limit washers to be used.

Problem: Forces are determined by a number of factors including: project location, site class, risk category, component importance factor and equipment location equipment relative to the overall height of the building.

Solution: Certified anchorage calculations must be submitted to verify loading conditions are met for each piece of equipment.

Problem: Structural attachment may have limited capacity or be difficult to attach.

Solution: Custom designed restraints to be used for various structural types, including BulletClamp. Other difficult structures to be noted: trusses, pan deck, thin concrete deck.

Problem: Differential motion up to 2” in a 20’ story height.

Solution: Flexible connectors are required to reduce equipment nozzle loads.

Design Considerations

Structure-Borne Vibration

Seismic Requirements

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