Suggest consideration of HDPE for your downstream underground, which is specifically(ideally) suited to UG pipe movement in seismic areas (See PPI’s MAB-9 – Design of HDPE Watermains for the Lateral Spread Seismic Hazard). In addition, the strain relief between pump discharge and the underground piping using an UL/FM approved expansion fitting, as has been shared, or an unlisted option such as a Proco Expansion Joint, which is approved by the AHJ, which can accommodate the necessary offset potential as well as withstand ambient exterior conditions, at the topside stub through the wall aboveground prior to going underground outside the footprint of the fire pump/tank slab.
Ryan L. Hinson, PE*, SET** \ Burns & McDonnell Fire Protection Engineering Group O 612-900-3755 \ M 763-688-4045 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> *Registered in Fire Protection in: AK, LA, MD, MN, PA, TX, & UT **NICET IV - Water-Based Systems Layout This e-mail and any attachments are solely for the use of the addressed recipients and may contain privileged or confidential client communication or privileged or confidential work product. If you are not the intended recipient and receive this communication, please promptly contact the sender by phone at 816-822-4338, and delete and purge this e-mail from your e-mail system and destroy any other electronic or printed copies. From: Prahl, Craig <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 9:14 AM To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]>; Mike Watts <[email protected]> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Flexible assembly on pump discharge in seismic category D area Thanks Steve. This condition is way outside the normal scope of seismic issues we typically deal with inside buildings. The seismic movement condition the ME is worried about was between the pump building and the underground fire main. So, traditional seismic assemblies won’t work since this needs to be able to be buried in the dirt. Craig Prahl | Jacobs | Fire Protection SME – EV, AM, DC, Special Hazards [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> | www.jacobs.com<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.jacobs.com/__;!!KZTdOCjhgt4hgw!-_khxU8gU0_6jc895I7kRbnU8JghRDsWgqOblZ4jr7Qp2IVbR30VYw_hWvNFtphnl0uWpB9KIvbYi1pvZz4$> 1041 East Butler Road Greenville, South Carolina 29606 CONTACT BY: Phone 1-864-676-5252, Email or MS TEAMS From: Welsh, Steve <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 9:31 AM To: Mike Watts <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>; Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [EXTERNAL] [Sprinklerforum] Re: Flexible assembly on pump discharge in seismic cat D area Craig, Not sure if this was your question too. “An approved seismic separation assembly shall be installed where sprinkler piping, regardless of size, crosses building seismic separation joints at ground level and above. ” Normally, Craig, Not sure if this was your question too. “An approved seismic separation assembly shall be installed where sprinkler piping, regardless of size, crosses building seismic separation joints at ground level and above.” Normally, you do not need a separation at the building foundation slab as the slab moves with the ground. However as you are going through a building exterior wall, the wall could move differently than the ground. Thus, the extra separation is required. Notes: There are clearance requirements at the foundation slab. There will also be clearance requirements at the exterior wall. You will some type of flexible weather seal. Steve Welsh, PE \ Burns & McDonnell Senior Fire Protection Engineer M 410-978-3836 From: Mike Watts <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Monday, March 9, 2026 5:52 PM To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Flexible assembly on pump discharge in seismic cat D area https://www.metraflex.com/products/fire-protection-division/?matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&keyword=metraflex%2520fireloop&campaign=1880371110&adgroup=72795587649&matchtype=&network=g&device=m&keyword=&campaign=1879994101&adgroup=67581073182&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1879994101&gclid=Cj0KCQjw37nNBhDkARIsAEBGI8NDEzU6QG8GfbpPNfSPMWigac-U8CJvEPSnVW2RWo1KlqAmv4AklogaAifAEALw_wcB<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.metraflex.com/products/fire-protection-division/?matchtype=e&network=g&device=c&keyword=metraflex*2520fireloop&campaign=1880371110&adgroup=72795587649&matchtype=&network=g&device=m&keyword=&campaign=1879994101&adgroup=67581073182&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1879994101&gclid=Cj0KCQjw37nNBhDkARIsAEBGI8NDEzU6QG8GfbpPNfSPMWigac-U8CJvEPSnVW2RWo1KlqAmv4AklogaAifAEALw_wcB__;JQ!!B5cixuoO7ltTeg!ES1I0tkpdwyMxl6bJ1RYWw6_hcvK0_bF8NByooGVV96uEO-CXq3VJ5nXZBtDcC5trHoa3ucAYFSJ2i-KZXyZ$> Mike Watts RME-G-3218231 Sprinkler Service Manager [Image removed by sender. image] Firetrol Protection Systems, Inc. 4616 W. Howard Lane, Building 7, Suite 700 Austin, Texas 78728 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Office 512-687-0115<tel:+15126870115> Cell 512-660-4411<tel:+15126604411> ________________________________ From: Prahl, Craig <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 9:28:47 AM To: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Flexible assembly on pump discharge in seismic cat D area I have a packaged fire pumphouse, discharge exists horizontally through the wall and then turns down to connect to the underground outside of the bldg. The seismic design category SDC) is “D”. I am being told by the project ME that we should I have a packaged fire pumphouse, discharge exists horizontally through the wall and then turns down to connect to the underground outside of the bldg. The seismic design category SDC) is “D”. I am being told by the project ME that we should have a flexible connection on the discharge side outside the bldg. to accommodate the potential of 8-inches of movement between the pumphouse and underground piping system. I’ve looked around to try and find such an assembly for 8” pipe suitable for an outdoor installation and so far haven’t found such a device. So, my question for those out there in seismically active areas, is this standard practice and who makes such an assembly? Craig Prahl | Jacobs | Fire Protection SME – EV, AM, DC, Special Hazards [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> | www.jacobs.com<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.jacobs.com/__;!!KZTdOCjhgt4hgw!-_khxU8gU0_6jc895I7kRbnU8JghRDsWgqOblZ4jr7Qp2IVbR30VYw_hWvNFtphnl0uWpB9KIvbYi1pvZz4$> 1041 East Butler Road Greenville, South Carolina 29606 CONTACT BY: Phone 1-864-676-5252, Email or MS TEAMS ________________________________ NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. ________________________________ NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. 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