AFCON presents this collection of copyrighted articles by

* Kraig Kirschner for your review. These articles have been published in Fire Sprinkler Industry magazines. Please feel free to use them with attribution within your company. AFCON is frequently asked its opinion to help clarify the intent of the NFPA 13 Hanging and Bracing text. When we get a consensus question regarding a subject, we believe its helpful to publish an article. If you have situations that are problematic and would like an article published, we will try to oblige. Your ideas are important to us. Yours for good fire protection - AFCON. * ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kraig Kirschner is president and CEO of AFCON. For more information see Kraigs Bio. Please be advised: The text in these articles 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.

Sway Bracing - General

19. Hangers are Not Sway Braces
Beware of Contrary Opinions

17. NFPA 13 Sway Brace Standards
Do Not Confuse With Other Bracing Standards

9. Through-Bolts in the Top Chord of Steel Joists
A Problem Sway Brace Attachment

25. 2007 NFPA 13 Chapter 9 is a Practical Solution
To Conform to the I-Codes
2007 NFPA 13 Chapter 9 was aligned to conform with SEI/ASCE 7

26. NFPA 13 Pipe Sway Braces
Provide Desirable Features And Practical Advantages

Sway Bracing - Pipe

4. Combination Lateral/Longitudinal Sway Braces
They Are Not Four-Way Braces

6. Long Sway Brace Assemblies
Brace Elements With Multiple Pipe Sizes

5. Lateral Sway Braces
Beware of UL Listing Limitations

3. Lateral and Longitudinal Sway Bracing
When One Brace Serves Both Functions

24. Pipe Clamps are Not Sway Brace Components
Read and Follow Listings Very Carefully

Sway Bracing - Cable

7. Pipe Vs. Cable Sway Bracing
Application Comparisons Per NFPA 13

10. Cable Sway Braces Can Not Restrict Vertical Movement
Additional Pipe Sway Braces Will be Required

Restraint

20. Wraparound U-Hooks
Not Appropriate to Resist Vertical Movement of a Pendent Sprinkler Below Ceiling

Hangers - General

11. Vertical May Not Describe Correct Hanger Orientation
The Force Is Vertical But The Hanger Is Not Always Vertical

12. Hangers Are Important To Fire Sprinkler System Performance
NFPA 13D Should Put More Emphasis On This Fact

14. Importance of NFPA 13 - 250# Hanger Safety Factor
Necessary and Appropriate

15. Holes in Building Structure
Not Hangers or Sway Braces

16. NFPA 13 Hanger Installation on Today's Z-Purlins

Hangers - CPVC

13. Offset CPVC Hangers
Beware of Listing Limitations

8. CPVC Hangers
Vertical and Horizontal Restraint

1. CPVC Hangers - Southern Yellow Pine

18. Using Offset CPVC Pipe Hangers
In Concrete Construction
Clearance Is Good Craftsmanship

Contrary Opinions

21. Fire Sprinklers Shall Be Supported From
Bldg. Structure
The Suspended Ceiling Exception Compromises This Philosophy

22. 6" Rod Hangers Are Not Sway Braces
Exempting Sway Braces Is Problematic

28. Sprinkler Contractors Should Never Be Responsible for Any Decision Involving Adequacy of Support by the Building Structure