The Ontario Building Code | Support for Horizontal Piping

7.3.4.5. support for Horizontal Piping

(1) Nominally horizontal piping that is inside a building shall be braced to prevent swaying and buckling and to control the effects of thrust.

(2) Nominally horizontal piping shall be supported so that,

(a) galvanized iron or steel pipe is supported at intervals not exceeding,

(i) 3.75 m if the pipe size is 6 in. or more, and

(ii) 2 500 mm if the pipesize is less than 6 in.,

(b) lead pipe is supported throughout its length,

(c) cast iron pipe is supported,

(i) at or adjacent to each hub or joint,

(ii) at intervals not exceeding 3 m, and

(iii) at intervals not exceeding 1 000 mm if the pipe has mechanical joints and the length of pipe between adjacent fittings is 300 mm or less,

(d) asbestos-cement pipe is supported,

(i) at intervals not exceeding 2 000 mm or have two supports for every 4 m length of pipe, and

(ii) at intervals not exceeding 1 000 mm where the length of pipe between adjacent fittings is 300 mm or less,

(e) ABS or pvc plastic DWV pipe is supported,

(i) at intervals not exceeding 1 200 mm,

(ii) at the ends of branches,

(iii) at changes of direction or elevation, and

(iv) if the pipe is a fixture drain that is more than 1 000 mm in length, as close as possible to the trap,

(f) plastic water pipe is supported at intervals not exceeding 1 000 mm,

(g) copper tube and copper and brass pipe is supported at intervals not exceeding,

(i) 3 m if the tube or pipe is hard temper and larger than 1 in. in size,

(ii) 2 500 mm if the tube or pipe is hard temper and 1 in. in size or less, and

(iii) 2 500 mm if the tube is soft temper,

(h) aluminum DWV pipe is supported,

(i) at intervals not greater than 3 m,

(ii) at both sides of all joints,

(iii) at all branch ends,

(iv) at all points where there is a change in direction, and

(v) as close to all traps as possible,

(i) supports and hangers for aluminum DWV pipe shall have a broad support base and shall be free of burrs and rough edges to prevent abrasion of the pipe,

(j) where joints in the piping are less rigid than the pipe, the support points shall be selected so as to minimize the shear and bending forces imposed on the joints,

(k) PE/AL/PE or PEX/AL/PEX composite pipe is supported at intervals not exceeding 1 000 mm, and

(l) PP-R plastic pipe is supported,

(i) at intervals not exceeding 1 000 mm,

(ii) at the end of branches, and

(iii) at changes of direction and elevation.

(3) Where plastic pipe or a composite pipe incorporating a plastic component is installed,

(a) the pipe shall be aligned without added strain on the piping,

(b) the pipe shall not be bent or pulled into position after being welded or joined, and

(c) hangers shall not compress, cut or abrade the pipe.

(4) Reserved

(5) Where hangers are used to support nominally horizontal piping, the hangers shall be,

(a) supported by metal rods of not less than,

(i) 6 mm diam for supporting pipe 2 in. or less in size,

(ii) 8 mm diam for supporting pipe 4 in. or less in size, and

(iii) 13 mm diam for supporting pipe over 4 in. in size, or

(b) solid or perforated metal straps not less than,

(i) 0.6 mm nominal thickness, 12 mm wide for pipe 2 in. or less in size, and

(ii) 0.8 mm nominal thickness, 18 mm wide for pipe 4 in. or less in size.

(6) Where a hanger is attached to concrete or masonry, it shall be fastened by metal or expansion-type plugs that are inserted or built into the concrete or masonry.