Shifting Seismic Zones Call for New Bracing Solutions

Stories about seismic activity and earthquake damage continue to saturate mainstream and trade media. While it may seem like the incidence of earthquakes is increasing worldwide, the actual uptick is not in number of events but in scientists’ ability to measure and document seismic activity. As a result, geographic surveys include more complete data, which creates a clearer picture of the likelihood of seismic activity in given regions. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) will complete its next program in 2014 and will likely show an increase in the number of seismic regions worldwide.

What does this mean for fire protection and life safety professionals? Seismic requirements in building codes will be tougher than ever in regions found to have seismic activity. The burden is on fire protection design professionals and contractors to choose a material that meets seismic requirements and performs well during actual seismic events. While steel systems are often considered, BlazeMaster® CPVC Fire Sprinkler Systems have been proven to perform just as well or better than steel in areas with seismic activity.

According to actual field performance and lab tests by a nationally renowned engineering, architectural and materials testing firm, BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems can and have outperformed steel piping during and after seismic events. (Read more about the studies and results in this paper by Andy Olah, Ph.D.) BlazeMaster piping faced—and passed—one of its toughest tests when an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale hit San Salvador, El Salvador. Just seven months prior, the American embassy had been retrofitted with a BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler System; and despite massive structural damage, the BlazeMaster piping remained largely intact during and after the earthquake. (Read the full analysis in this paper by Dennis Lundstedt.)

When a BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler System requires seismic bracing, several factors must be considered. NFPA 13, Chapter 9, Section 3, delineates the current requirements for selecting seismic bracing products. As a general rule, a thorough review of system specifications should be made to determine a product’s suitability for use with BlazeMaster systems, including the stress a bracing system may place on CPVC pipe.

When bracing BlazeMaster pipe without a UL-Listed system, NFPA 13, Chapter 1.7.1 offers an alternative to the written standard. It reads:

“ …nothing in the standard shall be intended to restrict new technologies or alternate arrangements, provided the level of safety prescribed by the standard isn’t lowered.”

In short, this provision suggests that new technologies shouldn’t be prohibited from use as long as they provide an equal amount of protection for the particular application. A qualified Design Professional is ultimately responsible for reviewing and confirming the compliance of “alternate arrangements.” A TOLCO hanger assembly (see design illustration) serves as an example of one such arrangement and has been reviewed and approved for use with BlazeMaster CPVC as an alternative to a UL-Listed seismic restraint system in certain jurisdictions.

Seismic regions are reviewed regularly, and an area not requiring bracing today could change in the next completed survey. In order to ensure proper system operation, professionals must follow manufacturers’ design and installation instructions for seismic bracing systems and piping systems. If choosing an “alternate arrangement” as allowed by NFPA 13, Chapter 1.7.1, the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) must review the arrangement prior to installation of the system. For added assurance, obtain written approval from the AHJ.

For more information about seismic bracing options, contact your regional BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems Consultant.