Standard for Pipe Hanger Equipment for Fire Protection Service

Section 1.3 was originally added because NFPA 13 permits products fabricated from certain type rods of iron or steel to not to be Listed.  While this may be appropriate language for a code or installation standard, it is not the role of the product standard prohibit evaluation of certain products which it contains suitable requirements for evaluation.  Since UL 203 is a product standard and it does contain suitable performance requirements for such products, this section should be deleted. This would allow manufacturers to have products of this nature evaluated if they so desired. This proposal includes the following items: Revises the minimum hanger rod size for 12” pipe from ½” to ¾”, which aligns with NFPA 13. Adds minimum hanger rod sizes for ½” pipe and pipe sizes 14”-24”.  The proposed minimum rod sizes align with NFPA 13 – 2025 edition. Expands the Pull Test Table 12.1 to include the loads for the new hanger sizes of ½” and 14”-24”.  The proposed loads are calculated based on the requirements in NFPA 13.  Standard weight class steel pipe with a wall thickness of 0.375” is most commonly used for fire sprinkler system piping in sizes 14”-24” rather than schedule 40. The pull test loads for pipe in these sizes are calculated based on standard weight pipe as indicated in the proposed section 12.1.2 sub clause a2). Historically, where installation and use instructions are referenced and required to be supplied in accordance with a UL standard, the interpretation has been that this shall be in a hard copy format unless specifically permitted by the standard to be provided in an electronic format.  There have been several efforts underway in various standards to allow instructions to be provided electronically given the changing state of end users ability to access these instructions electronically.  This language proposes to permit the installation instructions to be provided electronically, which in many cases is the preferred method of providing the instructions by manufacturers and access by end users. In addition, providing instructions electronically may also be desirable in efforts to be more environmentally friendly.