EARTHQUAKE

ASHRAE

PROTECTION

The following details can be used to help prevent the effects of earthquakes
on:
• Mechanical Systems • Electrical Systems • Plumbing Systems
• Piping • Cable Trays, • Piping
• Ductwork Bus Ducts • Fire Protection Systems
• Suspended Equipment • Conduit • Piping
• Floor Mounted Equipment
H
R A
A S

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

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Suspended systems such as piping, equipment and ductwork need seis-
mic braces to keep them from swaying during an earthquake. Seismic
braces can be flexible using aircraft quality cables, or rigid (solid) using
steel sections such as pipe, angles, or strut channels. Braces are typi-
cally installed 30-40 ft (10-13 m) apart, at system turns and at the end of
runs. Braces are attached to the pipe/duct at horizontal supports such as
clevis’s or trapezes. The other end is attached to structure such as over-
head concrete slabs or structural steel. Suspended equipment requires
a minimum of four braces, one at each corner. Floor mounted equipment
needs to be anchored to the structural slab. This also includes equipment
that is Vibration Isolated with seismic snubbers.

Pipe, Cable Trays, Bus Ducts & Conduit

Bracing Details
Cable Bracing

STIFFENER CLAMP STIFFENER CLAMP

HANGER ROD HANGER ROD

SWIVEL
FASTENER ROD STIFFENER ROD STIFFENER
(TYP.) (WHEN REQUIRED) (WHEN REQUIRED)

SEISMIC NO LOAD
TENSION ON CABLE
LOAD
(REACTION)

SWAY BRACE

SEISMIC CLEVIS
FORCE STIFFENER

TRANSVERSE BRACE LONGITUDINAL BRACE

TRANSVERSE & LONGITUDINAL CABLE BRACE FOR HORIZONTAL SUSPENDED PIPE

FIGURE 1

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STIFFENER CLAMP

SWIVEL HANGER ROD

FASTENER
ROD STIFFENER
(TYP.)
(WHEN REQUIRED)

CABLE BRACE

SEISMIC
FORCE

PIPE SECURED
TO TRAPEZE

CABLE BRACE FOR TRAPEZE SUSPENDED PIPE

FIGURE 2

Rigid or Solid Bracing

STIFFENER
CLAMP
HANGER ROD
SWIVEL
FASTENER ROD STIFFENER
(TYP.) (WHEN REQUIRED)

SOLID BRACE

SEISMIC
CLEVIS STIFFENER FORCE

SOLID BRACE IN COMPRESSION

FOR INDIVIDUALLY SUPPORTED PIPE
FIGURE 3

SWIVEL
FASTENER
(TYP.)
STIFFENER CLAMP

HANGER ROD

ROD STIFFENER
(WHEN REQUIRED)
SOLID BRACE

SEISMIC
FORCE

PIPE SECURED
TO TRAPEZE

SOLID BRACE IN COMPRESSION

FOR TRAPEZE PIPE
FIGURE 4

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Duct Bracing Details

Cable Bracing

SWIVEL
FASTENER
(TYP.)
STIFFENER
CLAMP

HANGER
ROD ROD STIFFENER
(WHEN REQUIRED)
CABLE
BRACE

DUCTWORK SECURED
TO TRAPEZE WITH SCREWS

TRANSVERSE BRACE LONGITUDINAL BRACE

CABLE BRACING OF SUSPENDED DUCTWORK

FIGURE 5

Rigid or Solid Bracing

STIFFENER
CLAMP

HANGER ROD
SWIVEL
FASTENER

ROD STIFFENER
(WHEN REQUIRED)

SOLID
BRACE

ADDITIONAL
FPV UPPER SUPPORT
FPH C.G.
W H

FPV
TRAPEZE SUPPORT
L
SHEET METAL
SCREW

SOLID BRACE OF DUCTWORK ON TRAPEZE

FIGURE 6

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Suspended Equipment Bracing

Suspended equipment requires bracing as shown in Figure 8 using rigid
steel sections or Figure 7 using cables. Connections to the equipment such
as piping, conduit or ductwork should be made with flexible connections.

STIFFENER
CLAMP
HANGER
ROD SWIVEL
FASTENER CABLE BRACE
ROD (TYP.) (4)-TYPICAL
STIFFENER
O = 30° TO 60° (WHEN CABLE
REQUIRED) BRACE

EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT

HANGER
ROD

ELEVATION PLAN VIEW

TYPICAL CABLE BRACE ARRANGEMENT

FIGURE 7

ROD STIFFENER
(WHEN REQUIRED)

STIFFENER CLAMP
SOLID HANGER ROD
BRACE SOLID BRACE
(4)-TYPICAL
SWIVEL
FASTENERS
(TYP.)

SOLID BRACE
O = 30° TO 60°

EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT

HANGER ROD

ELEVATION PLAN VIEW

TYPICAL SOLID BRACE ARRANGEMENT

FIGURE 8

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Floor Supported Equipment

Floor mounted equipment may be bolted down if no vibration isolation is
required. If the equipment is isolated then the equipment must either have
bumpers as shown in Figure 9 or snubbers as shown in Figure 10.
TWO BOLTS
PER BRACKET

EQUIPMENT

A A

ANCHOR BRACKET
PLAN VIEW
(2) PER SIDE
NO CLEARANCE

ANCHOR BRACKET
STRUCTURAL ANCHOR

EQUIPMENT

1/4" NEOPRENE
DETAIL A-A

ANCHOR BRACKET CONNECTED TO EQUIPMENT

FIGURE 9

EQUIPMENT
(SHOULD BE CONNECTED
TO STEEL FRAME OR
CONCRETE INERTIA BASE)

HEIGHT SAVING BRACKET

(TYPICAL)

VIBRATION SEISMIC SNUBBER

ISOLATOR (TYPICAL)
(TYPICAL)
STEEL FRAME OR
CROSS BRACING CONCRETE INERTIA BASE
LOCATED AT OR NEAR
SEISMIC SNUBBERS

SUPPLEMENTAL BASE - OPEN SPRINGS AND SNUBBERS

FIGURE 10

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Anchor Bolts
Anchor bolts are one of the most impor-
tant parts of a correctly designed and
installed Seismic Restraint System. The
most widely used anchors for seismic
restaints are the wedge, adhesive and
undercut.

Proper installation of anchors is

important.

Basic installation methods for shell

and adhesive anchors is shown in
Figure 12.
FIGURE 11

FIGURE 12
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Sites with additional information:

• ASHRAE, American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air

Conditioning Engineers, www.ASHRAE.org

• ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 2.7 Seismic & Wind Restraint

Design, www.ASHRAE.org/technology/page/1727

• FEMA, www.FEMA.gov , Publications 412, 413 & 414

• USGS, United States Geological Survey, www.USGS.gov

• SMACNA, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National

Association, www.SMACNA.org

• VISCMA, Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Manufacturers

Association, www.VISCMA.com

• ICC, International Code Council, www.ICCSAFE.org

• National Fire Protection Association, www.NFPA.org

• AHRI, Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute,

www.ahrinet.org

This publication was written by ASHRAE’s Technical Committee TC 2.7, Seismic and Wind
Restraint Design. All details in this document are from ASHRAE’s Publication,” A Practical
Guide to Seismic Restraint”, 2000, or FEMA Document 412