NATSPEC TECHnotes PIPE SUPPORT SPACING

April 2009

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. Maximum spacing of supports for horizontal and near horizontal pipes (metres)
ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Systems and Equipment Steam 2.4 2.7 2.7 3.7 4.0 4.3 4.6 5.2 6.4 7.3 11.9 Water 2.1 1.5 2.1 2.1 1.5 1.8 2.7 3.0 3.4 3.7 2.4 2.4 2.7 3.0 4.3 3.7 5.2 5.8 9.1 4.3 4.9 Water Copper Steel 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 Copper and lightwall steel Copper, copper alloy Galvanized steel UPVC, CPVC, PE, Copper Copper Copper Liquidnon-pressure Water Medical gas Steam, gas or air Waterpressure Fuel gas 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.2 6.0 6.5 7.5 4.0 4.0 0.5 0.6 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 0.7 0.75 0.85 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 0.7 1.8 1.5 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.75 0.85 0.9 3.0 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 4.3 5.2 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 2.0 2.4 2.7 3.0 3.4 3.7 3.9 3.0 3.3 3.7 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.1 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 4.0 0.75 2.0 0.85 2.0 0.9 2.5 1.05 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.05 2.5 1.2 2.5 1.05 3.0 1.2 3.0 1.35 1.2 na 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 3.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.5 1.35 3.0 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.35 3.0 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 10.0 13.0 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 Fuel gas Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Water Copper Plastic UPVC UPVC UPVC Steel Steel Steel

Standard Nominal pipe size, DN (mm)

10 15 18 20 25 32 40 50 65 80 90 100 125 150 200 500

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

Contents

Pipe material

Reference

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

NATSPEC TECHnote NTN DES 019 is a guidance note for consideration

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