Experimental seismic study of pressurized fire extinguishing sprinkler piping system

This paper presents the results of two series of experimental studies designed to evaluate the seismic performance of pressurized fire extinguishing sprinkler piping systems. In the first series, a total of 48 tee joint components for sprinkler piping systems made of various materials (black iron with threaded joints, thermoplastic (CPVC) with cement joints, and steel with groove-fit connections) and various nominal diameters (3/4 in. to 6 in.) were tested under reverse cyclic loading to determine their rotational capacities at which leakage and/or fracture occurred. Subsequently, three full-scale subassemblies of a two story sprinkler piping layout were tested with various level of bracing systems under dynamic loading on the University at Buffalo Nonstructural Component Simulator (UB-NCS). The full-scale subassemblies were constructed mainly from materials and joint types examined in the first series of cycle tests. Based on these two test series, a comprehensive experimental database was developed to gain an in-depth understanding of the seismic behavior of full-scale fire extinguishing sprinkler piping systems.