NATSPEC TECHnotes

April 2009

PIPE SUPPORT SPACING

Pipe supports are required in various applications, many of which are governed by Australian and other
standards. While it might be expected these standards would mandate similar spacing for the same pipe
material and contents (e.g. steel pipe carrying cold water), the controlling standards are not consistent, giving
different values for maximum support spacing. For example, AS 2118.9 requires a DN 100 copper sprinkler pipe
carrying water to have supports at 4.0 m centres but AS/NZS 3500.1 requires the same size pipe, carrying the
same water into the building, to have supports spaced at 3.0 m centres. The table below illustrates these
differences for horizontal pipe (some standards do not cover vertical pipe).
If an applicable standard is available, NATSPEC references it in the respective worksection. In other situations
specifiers may use the table for guidance.

Nominal pipe size, DN (mm)

2.0

1.5

1.5

ASHRAE
Handbook
HVAC Systems
and Equipment
Copper

1.5

0.6

Water

Fuel gas

0.6

1.5

Steel

Fuel gas

1.5

Steam

Water

1.5

Steel

Steel
Steam, gas
or air

2.0

Water

Steel
Water

1.5

Copper

UPVC
Water

0.5

Steel

Copper
Water

1.5

Copper

UPVC,
CPVC, PE,

Copper,
copper alloy

Water

1.5

18

Water

Copper
Medical gas

0.6

Plastic

15

Water

0.5

Galvanized
steel

10

Water

UPVC

Liquidnon-pressure
Water

Copper and
lightwall steel

AS 2032
Table 6.2
AS 2032
Table 6.3
AS 2118.9
Table 2.6.1
AS 2118.9
Table 2.6.1
AS 2118.9
Table 2.6.1
AS 2896
Table 4.1
AS/NZS 3500.1
Table 5.2
AS/NZS 3500.1
Table 5.2
AS/NZS 3500.2
Table 9.1
AS/NZS 3500.2
Table 9.1
AS 4041
Table 3.28.2
AS 4041
Table 3.28.2
AS 4809
Table 6.2
AS 5601
Table 4.2
AS 5601
Table 4.2
UPVC
Waterpressure

Pipe
material
Contents

Standard

Reference

Maximum spacing of supports for horizontal and near horizontal pipes (metres)

2.1

2.4

1.5

1.5

20

0.7

1.5

4.0

0.7

1.8

1.5

0.7

2.0

3.0

1.5

2.5

1.5

2.1

2.7

1.5

25

0.75

2.0

4.0

0.75 2.0

2.0

0.75

2.4

3.3

2.0

2.5

2.0

2.1

2.7

1.8

32

0.85 0.9

2.5

5.0

0.85 2.0

2.5

0.85

2.7

3.7

2.5

3.0

2.5

40

0.9

1.0

2.5

5.0

0.9

2.5

0.9

3.0

4.0

2.5

3.0

2.5

2.7

3.7

2.4

50

1.05 1.0

3.0

5.0

1.05 2.5

3.0

1.05 3.0

1.0

3.4

4.5

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

4.0

2.4

65

1.2

1.2

3.0

5.0

1.2

2.5

3.0

1.2

3.0

1.2

3.7

5.0

3.0

3.0

3.4

4.3

2.7

80

1.35 1.2

4.0

5.0

1.35 3.0

3.0

1.35 3.0

1.2

3.9

5.1

4.0

4.0

3.7

4.6

3.0

90

na

1.2

4.0

5.0

1.4

3.0

3.0

1.4

3.0

1.2

100

1.5

1.2

4.0

5.0

1.5

4.0

3.0

1.5

3.0

1.2

4.3

5.2

4.0

4.0

4.3

5.2

3.7

125

1.7

1.2

4.0

6.0

1.7

3.0

1.7

3.0

1.2

4.0

4.0

150

2.0

1.2

4.0

6.0

2.0

3.0

2.0

3.0

1.2

5.2

6.5

4.0

4.0

5.2

6.4

4.3

200

2.3

1.5

4.0

6.0

6.0

7.5

4.0

4.0

5.8

7.3

4.9

500

3.0

1.5

4.0

6.0

10.0 13.0

9.1

11.9

Relevant standards
AS 2032 Installation of PVC pipe systems
AS 2118.9 Automatic fire sprinklers systems
AS 2896 Medical gas systems
AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage
AS/NZS 3500.1 Water services
AS/NZS 3500.2 Sanitary plumbing and
drainage
AS 4041 Pressure piping

2.5

3.0

1.0

AS 4809 Copper pipe and fittings

AS 5601 Gas installations
ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Systems and
Equipment. American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-conditioning
Engineers

NATSPEC TECHnote NTN DES 019 is a guidance note for consideration

Relevant worksections
0721 Packaged airconditioners
0722 Room airconditioners
0751 Mechanical piping
0755 Medical gas systems
0821 Stormwater buildings
0822 Wastewater
0823 Cold and heated water
0824 Fuel gas
0833 Sprinklers

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