UNISTAR seismic bracing

UNISTAR · SEISMIC BRACING

Sway-brace fittings for sprinkler and MEP piping, designed to NFPA 13 and made at the Starduct factory, Hanoi. FM Approvals PR467307 covers four models.

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Made in the Starduct factory, tested by independent laboratories

Made in Vietnam · Supplied to 17 markets

Made in the Starduct factory, tested by independent laboratories

AMCA · AHRI · ASHRAE · VISRAEMember of international and Vietnamese HVAC engineering associations

UL · FM · Intertek · IBST · VIBMRegular testing and certification with independent laboratories

5 patentsGranted in Vietnam

In-house aerodynamic test labPressure drop, airflow and leakage measured at the factory

“Vietnamese engineering can do it — and do it better.”

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UNISTAR · SEISMIC BRACING

One brace = three components

The capacity of a brace is the smallest of its three components. The UNISTAR selector checks all three and shows which one governs.

8brace fittings: structure and pipe attachments

4models named in FM Approvals PR467307 (FM 1950)

2certifications: FM Approvals PR467307 · UL File EX29806

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PRINCIPLE

Pipes must resist lateral forces in an earthquake

Why bracePipes on ordinary hangers carry vertical load only. In an earthquake they swing laterally and longitudinally, strike the structure, break joints and can disable the fire system when it is needed most. Sway braces lock the pipe to the structure in both directions.

Structure attachmentUTT10 · UTTH10Q · UTT11 · UTT071

Brace: 1" SCH40 pipeNFPA 13 Table 18.5.11.8

Pipe attachmentUTT13 · UTT18 · UTT20 · UTT20Q

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BRACE CONFIGURATIONS

Typical brace configurations

2-way longitudinal

1-way longitudinal

2-way lateral

1-way lateral

Multi-way

4-way (riser)

Lateral braces at no more than 12.2 m, longitudinal at no more than 24.4 m, four-way braces at riser tops, per NFPA 13 Chapter 18.

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PRODUCT RANGE

UNISTAR seismic bracing components

UTT10 Structure attachment UTT10 FM Approved

UTTH10Q Structure attachment, quick-fit UTTH10Q

UTT11 Beam flange adapter UTT11 FM Approved

UTT071 Swivel structure attachment UTT071

UTT13 Quick lateral brace clamp UTT13 FM Approved

UTT18 U-type lateral brace clamp UTT18

UTT20 Pipe clamp, lateral and longitudinal UTT20 FM Approved

UTT20Q Pipe clamp, quick-fit UTT20Q

FM Approved (PR467307, FM 1950): UTT10, UTT11, UTT13, UTT20. UL (UL 203A, File EX29806): look up the current model list in UL Product iQ.

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CERTIFICATION

Certification and product labelling

FM ApprovalsFM Approvals PR467307 (FM 1950) for 4 seismic bracing models UTT10, UTT11, UTT13, UTT20.

UL SolutionsUL File EX29806 (UL 203A, category VGMY) for seismic bracing; the current model list is published in UL Product iQ.

ISO 9001 · ISO 14001Quality management ISO 9001:2015 (VN-10161-QMS) and environmental management ISO 14001:2015 (VN-10038-EMS).

Product labelThe label shows the manufacturer, model code, load rating and place of manufacture.

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APPLICATION LIMITS

Published loads apply only to the certified configuration

Brace angle and load rangesAngles are measured from vertical. FM publishes loads for 30–44° and 45–59°; UL applies to 30–90°. Do not install braces at less than 30°.

Braced pipeBraced pipe: steel DN25–DN200; structure attachments for pipe ≤ DN200.

Pipe attachment sizesPipe sizes of each pipe attachment per its table (UTT13: DN25–DN200; UTT18: DN40–DN200; UTT20, UTT20Q: DN50–DN200).

Brace memberBrace member: 1" SCH40 steel pipe only. Maximum length 3.20 m (l/r = 300); its capacity drops beyond 1.07 m and 2.13 m.

Brace spacingLateral brace spacing ≤ 12.2 m (40 ft), longitudinal ≤ 24.4 m (80 ft) per NFPA 13.

AnchorageAnchorage to the structure (anchors, beam clamps) must be designed for Fpw and the base material; it is outside the fitting certification.

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CALCULATION BASIS

Seismic force and brace capacity to NFPA 13

1 · Seismic loadWp = 1.15 × m × g × L, where m is the water-filled pipe mass (kg/m), L the zone of influence (m), and 1.15 allows for valves and fittings (NFPA 13 §18.5.9.2). Fpw = Cp × Wp (§18.5.9.3). Take Cp from NFPA 13 Table 18.5.9.3 for the site Ss, or as the authority having jurisdiction requires; where Ss is not determined, NFPA 13 permits Cp = 0.5.

2 · Brace capacityBrace capacity is the least of the structure attachment, pipe attachment and brace member; fitting loads follow the chosen certification basis (UL or FM) and angle range. The brace passes when Fpw does not exceed its capacity.

Seismic coefficient CpCp and the seismic design data are set by the designer per NFPA 13, ASCE 7 or TCVN 9386:2012.

Design responsibilityTables 2–3 and the examples are calculated from certified values and the NFPA 13 table. The designer is responsible for Cp, the zone of influence and the anchorage check.

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STANDARDS

Standards and references

NFPA 13NFPA 13 (2025) — Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, Chapter 18 (seismic protection).

UL 203AUL 203A — Sway Brace Devices for Sprinkler System Piping.

FM 1950FM 1950 (Aug 2023) — Seismic Sway Braces for Pipe, Tubing and Conduit.

TCVN 9386TCVN 9386:2012 — Design of structures for earthquake resistance (seismic data in Vietnam).

ASCE 7 — Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings (where US standards apply).

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INSTALLATION

Installation and checks before handover

01Fitting orderFit the structure attachment first, then the pipe attachment, then the brace, and tighten the shear bolts. Never reuse a broken shear bolt.

02Shear bolts and brace angleEvery shear bolt head has broken off · Brace angle within the designed range (30–44°, 45–59°, 60–90°)

03Brace memberBrace length not more than the calculated length · No other hanger obstructs the brace

04StorageDry, covered store; keep away from rain, standing water and corrosive chemicals. Keep in original boxes, ≥ 10 cm above the floor; mark model and pipe size on each box.

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HOW WE WORK WITH YOU

From calculation to installation

01CalculateStarduct engineers calculate loads and lay out the bracing from the project design.

02SubmittalCatalogues, certificates and declarations of performance from this website.

03ManufactureManufactured under ISO 9001 with lot traceability.

04InstallInstallation guidance and on-site technical support.

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CONTACT

Seismic bracing for your MEP systems

Contact the Starduct engineering team for bracing layout advice, seismic load calculation and a project quotation.

Emailkinhdoanh@nsca.vn

Phone(+84) 90 323 2222

FactoryDan Phuong Industrial Cluster Phase 2, Dan Phuong Commune, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Product pages Quick selector Test reports & certificates Request a quote

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