Bulletin No.

SRM/2000

Series SCR &

SAB Seismic
Restraints
Seismic
Braces for
Piping,
Ductwork,
Conduit, and
Equipment
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
VMC Seismic cable restraints (SCR) and single arm
braces (SAB) are an excellent means to restrain
suspended equipment, piping, duct and electrical
cable trays during an earthquake.
With isolated systems, seismic cables are required.
The cables are installed slightly slack so as to avoid
short-circuiting the isolation system. The VMC seis-
mic cable restraints come in kit form to minimize
labor cost for the contractor. Each pre-packaged kit
contains all of the necessary hardware for proper
installation and positive attachment to the building
structure. Our cables are factory swaged on one
end to eliminate extra installation time.
1. W = Weight at Center of Gravity
2. fp = Horizontal force by code = "g" x W
3. P Cable = fp = Force on cable or brace
Cos45°
Throughout this brochure, you will find graphs and
charts which are to be used as guidelines only.
Many different installation configurations are possi-
ble which may effect the performance of the
restraints used.
As a basic rule of thumb, the force acting on the
seismic cable restraint or single arm brace can be
broken down into a static analysis for selection pur-
poses.
Looking at suspended pipe, duct, cable tray or
equipment, you will notice that the seismic restraint
is positioned at an angle of approximately 45° up
from the point of support.
2
Seismic cable kits are made from 7 x 19 aircraft
cable and are available in 1/8",1/4", and 3/8" sizes.
Non-isolated systems can utilize our single arm
brace. Our SAB series brackets allow for positive
seismic attachment of all suspended systems. The
bracket design accepts field-supplied unistrut or
steel angle and allows for a full range of motion in all
directions for ease of installation. The SAB-1 is
designed for steel attachment, and the SAB-2 is uti-
lized when concrete is the anchoring medium.
Both the VMC Series SCR and Series SAB strictly
comply with all requirements of the national building
codes and the International Building Code (IBC 2000).
To determine the approximate seismic load imparted
on the restraint:
1. Determine weight of the equipment, pipe, or duct
to be restrained.
2. Multiply the weight by the seismic acceleration
specified by code to determine horizontal seismic
force.
3. Solve for force on seismic cable or brace by divid-
ing the horizontal seismic force by Cos45°.
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Type SCR Seismic Cable Restraints

Each Kit consists of: Seismic Load Table

2 - lengths of cable - swaged one end -11 ft. long or 20 ft. long,
Wire Recommended Max. Equipment Mimimum Recommended
7 x 19 Galvanized Aircraft Cable, 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" dia. Rope Dia. Working Load Weight Concrete Anchor (2)
2 - concrete angle brackets in. lbs. .5g 1g Dia. (in.) Embedment
4 - shackles 1⁄ 8 667 942 471 1⁄ 2 31⁄2
2 - thimbles 1⁄ 4 5⁄ 8
2330 3292 1646 4
4 - U-bolts
3⁄ 8 4200 5936 2968 1 6
2 - clevis angles

Cable Spacing Guide - .5 "G" Cable Spacing Guide - 1 "G"

Cable Size and Spacing Cable Size and Spacing
Pipe Size 1/8" 1/4" 3/8" Pipe Size 1/8" 1/4" 3/8"
T* - L* T* - L* T* - L* T* - L* T* - L* T* - L*
1 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 1 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
11⁄4 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 11⁄4 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
11⁄2 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 11⁄2 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
2 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 2 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
21⁄2 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 21⁄2 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
3 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 3 30 - 30 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
4 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 4 20 - 20 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
5 30 - 30 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 5 10 - 10 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
6 20 - 20 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 6 10 - 10 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft.
8 10 - 10 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 80 ft. 8 N/A 20 - 20 ft. 40 - 40 ft.
10 10 - 10 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 10 N/A 20 - 20 ft. 30 - 30 ft.
12 N/A 30 - 30 ft. 40 - 40 t. 12 N/A 10 - 10 ft. 20 - 20 ft.
14 N/A 20 - 20 ft. 40 - 40 ft. 14 N/A 10 - 10 ft. 20 - 20 ft.
16 N/A 20 - 20 ft. 30 - 30 ft. 16 N/A 10 - 10 ft. 10 - 10 ft.
18 N/A 20 - 20 ft. 30 - 30 ft. 18 N/A N/A 10 - 10 ft.

*T = Transverse *L = Longitudinal *T = Transverse *L = Longitudinal

Project:
VIBRATION MOUNTINGS & CONTROLS, INC.
Architect: An Aeroflex, Inc. Company

Acoustician 113 Main St. Box 270, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403 Toll Free: 1-800-LOW-VIBE
Tel: 973/838-1780 Fax: 973/492-8430
Contractor:

Project No. TYPE "SCR "

SEISMIC RESTRAINTS
Date: Drawing No.

3
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Single Arm Brace – Type SAB

SAB-1 for equipment and steel SAB-2 for concrete anchorage

structure attachment
13⁄ 16" hole for
9⁄ 16" hole
3⁄ 4" bolt
(1⁄ 2" concrete
8"
anchors) 2 places
9⁄ 16" holes
6" 9⁄ 16" holes
for 1⁄2" bolt
for 1⁄2" bolt 23⁄4"
(6 places)

4"
11⁄2"

4"

11⁄2"

23⁄4"

Single Arm Brace Single Arm Brace

Spacing Guide - .5 "G" Spacing Guide - 1 "G"
Pipe Size Spacing Pipe Size Spacing
T - L T - L
1 40 - 80 ft. 1 40 - 80 ft.
11⁄4 40 - 80 ft. 11⁄4 40 - 80 ft. SAB brackets have been designed to accept
11⁄2 40 - 80 ft. 11⁄2 40 - 80 ft.
field-supplied unistrut or steel angle as the rigid
2 40 - 80 ft. 2 40 - 80 ft.
21⁄2 40 - 80 ft. 21⁄2 40 - 80 ft.
brace. Two brackets are required per brace.
3 40 - 80 ft. 3 40 - 80 ft. Model SAB-1 is used at the equipment, pipe, or
4 40 - 80 ft. 4 40 - 80 ft. duct and at the building structure when attach-
5 40 - 40 ft. 5 40 - 40 ft. ing to steel.
6 40 - 40 ft. 6 40 - 40 ft. When bolting the brace into concrete building
8 40 - 40 ft. 8 20 - 20 ft. structure, SAB-2 must be utilized. (SAB-1 at
10 40 -40 ft. 10 20 -20 ft.
equipment, SAB-2 at structure).
12 30 - 30 ft. 12 10 - 10 ft.
14 20 - 20 ft. 14 10 - 10 ft.
16 20 - 20 ft. 16 10 - 10 ft.
18 20 - 20 ft. 18 N/A

*T = Transverse *L = Longitudinal *T = Transverse *L = Longitudinal

Project:
VIBRATION MOUNTINGS & CONTROLS, INC.
Architect: An Aeroflex, Inc. Company

Acoustician 113 Main St. Box 270, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403 Toll Free: 1-800-LOW-VIBE
Tel: 973/838-1780 Fax: 973/492-8430
Contractor:

Project No. TYPE "SAB"

SEISMIC RESTRAINTS
Date: Drawing No.

4
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Isolated Piping

Anchor Bolts Building Structure

by others
Concrete
Angle Bracket

Thimble
VMC Type RSH
Shackle Vibration Hanger

U-bolt
VMC Series SRBC
7 x 19 Seismic Rod Clamp
Aircraft Cable

45°
Each Cable Kit consists of:
2 - lengths of cable - swaged one end
2 - concrete angle brackets VMC Series SCR
4 - shackles Seismic Cable Restraint

2 - thimbles Clevis
Angle Bracket
4 - U-bolts
2 - clevis angles

Pipe Clevis (secondary pipe clamp

must be used for longitudinal brace)
Typical Transverse Brace
(1 SCR Kit)

Piping must be positively attached to the structure of the

building in case of an earthquake.
Typically, pipe is suspended on vibration isolation hangers
within mechanical equipment rooms, or within 50 feet of
Transverse/
Longitudinal vibrating equipment, whichever is greater. This isolated
piping must also be seismically restrained to the building
structure without compromising the vibration isolation (also
known as "short circuiting"). A "run" of pipe must be
restrained both longitudinally (in the direction of its run)
and transversely (perpendicular to its run) to insure that it
Transverse moves with the building and remains attached to it during
an earthquake.
Restraining the isolated pipe is accomplished by utilizing
the VMC series SCR seismic cable restraints. Our seismic
cable restraints insure positive attachment to the pipe sup-
Transverse/ ports, and when installed slightly slack, do not compro-
Longitudinal
mise the vibration isolation by short-circuiting the spring
hanger.
Our cable kits come with 2 lengths of cable, swaged on
one end, and all of the necessary hardware for easy instal-
lation by the contractor. VMC Seismic cable restraints are a
Transverse required component when restraining isolated pipe.

TYPE SCR BRACING SCHEMATIC

5
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Non-Isolated Piping
SAB-2 required for
concrete attachment.
SAB-1 may be used
for steel attachment
VMC Series SRBC
Seismic Rod Bracing Clamp
Anchor bolts by others
(minimum of 2 for concrete
VMC Series SAB-2 attachment)

Non-isolated
threaded rod

Unistrut or angle
steel (by others)
Longitudinal Brace
(requires additional
pipe clamp at clevis not
shown) Transverse Brace

VMC Series SAB-1

Clevis Hanger
(pipe clamp must be used for
longitudinal restraint capability)

Non-isolated piping has the same bracing requirements as

isolated piping. However, piping that is rigidly supported
without isolators can be seismically restrained using the
Transverse/
Longitudinal
VMC series SAB Single Arm Brace.
Our rigid single arm brace consists of two brackets, which
allow the brace a full range of motion for ease of installa-
tion. The bracing material (typically unistrut or angle steel)
is contractor supplied and cut to size in the field. The
brace brackets are available in two sizes and incorporate
Transverse properly sized and spaced anchor bolt holes. The SAB-1
is designed for attachment to the pipe hanger and anchor-
ing into steel. The SAB-2 incorporates two anchor bolt
holes for attachment to concrete. Unlike cable restraints,
which require 2 cables per brace location, the SAB series
requires only one brace per transverse location and one
Transverse/ brace per longitudinal location. An example on ordering
Longitudinal the SAB series is as follows:
Transverse brace anchored into concrete requires:
1 pc SAB-1 (for the attachment at the pipe hanger)
1 pc SAB-2 (for the attachment of the brace to the con-
crete ceiling)
Transverse OR
Transverse brace anchored into steel requires:
TYPE SAB BRACING SCHEMATIC 2 pcs SAB-1 (1 pc for attachment to the pipe hanger, 1 pc
for attachment to the steel structure)

6
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Isolated Suspended Equipment
NOTE: Equipment must be
positively attached to
support steel

VMC Type RSH Hanger

VMC Series SCR

(2 kits required per piece
of equipment)

Hanger Rods (by others)

Support Steel (by others)

All suspended mechanical equipment must be seis-

mically restrained. While floor mounted equipment
typically utilizes a seismically rated vibration isolator
or separate snubber, no such device exists for sus-
pended equipment. This is because suspended
equipment can have any number of possible eleva-
tions.
Fortunately, it is possible to seismically restrain iso-
lated suspended equipment by using VMC Series
SCR Seismic Cable Restraints. Series SCR cable
restraints are required for externally isolated equip-
ment only.
Each piece of equipment requires a minimum of 4
cables, (2 SCR kits) installed slightly slack to insure
continuity of the vibration isolation system.
The cables are installed at 45° from the horizontal
plane of the equipment, and in plan view, 45° from
each corner.
The diameter of the cable is determined through cal-
culation and is based on the weight of the equip-
ment and specified seismic force.
Seismic Load Table
Wire Recommended Max. Equipment Mimimum Recommended
Rope Dia. Working Load Weight Concrete Anchor (2)
in. lbs. .5g 1g Dia. (in.) Embedment
1⁄ 8 667 942 471 1⁄ 2 31⁄2
1⁄ 4 2330 3292 1646 5⁄ 8 4
3⁄ 8 4200 5936 2968 1 6

7
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Non-Isolated
Suspended Equipment

Non-isolated or internally isolated

Plan View
Threaded Rod (by others)
VMC SAB-2
Structural Steel (by others)
suspended equipment can be
seismically restrained utilizing the
VMC Series SAB Single Arm
Brace.
Any internal isolation must have its
own seismic capability certified by
VMC SAB-1 the unit manufacturer. While exter-
nally isolated suspended equip-
ment requires a minimum of 4
cables, the SAB series brace can
use as few as two braces per
application.
The braces are installed at 45° up
from the horizontal plane of the
equipment, and perpendicular to
each other at either end of the
equipment.

Electrical Cable Trays

The electrical system in a building
is perhaps the most important part
of the HVAC system. Should the
VMC SAB-2 power be interrupted due to inade-
quately restrained electrical sys-
VMC SAB-2 tems, the HVAC system will be ren-
dered inoperable, and the building
Cable Tray
useless. While we typically take
great strides to insure that the
Longitudinal Brace
mechanical equipment, pipe and
(unistrut by others) ductwork are properly restrained,
the electrical system is often over-
VMC SAB-1
looked.
Transverse Brace Any electrical conduit, cable trays,
(unistrut by others)
etc. used to supply power to the
HVAC or emergency backup sys-
VMC SAB-1 tems must be properly restrained
using the VMC Series SAB Single
Arm Brace.

8
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Isolated Ductwork

Anchor Bolts
(by others) Building Structure
Concrete Angle Bracket

Shackle
VMC Type RSH
Vibration Hangers
U-bolts

Thimble

Each Kit consists of:

2 - lengths of cable - swaged one end -11 ft. long or 20 ft. long,
7 x 19 Galvanized Aircraft Cable, 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" dia.
2 - concrete angle brackets Lower Angle Bracket
4 - shackles
2 - thimbles
4 - U-bolts Duct: (6 square feet and larger
2 - clevis angles requires restraint)

Ductwork must be positively attached to the structure of

the building in case of an earthquake. Isolated duct must
be seismically restrained to the building structure without
compromising the vibration isolation (also known as "short
Transverse/
circuiting").
Longitudinal A "run" of duct must be restrained both longitudinally (in
the direction of its run) and transversely (perpendicular to
its run) to insure that it moves with the building and
remains attached to it during an earthquake. Restraining
the isolated duct is accomplished by utilizing the VMC
Transverse series SCR seismic cable restraints. Our seismic cable
restraints insure positive attachment to the ductwork, and
when installed slightly slack, do not compromise the vibra-
tion isolation by short-circuiting the spring hanger.
Transverse/
Our cable kits come with 2 lengths of cable, swaged on
Longitudinal one end, and all of the hardware shown above for easy
installation by the contractor. VMC Seismic cable restraints
are a required component when restraining isolated duct.

Transverse

SCR BRACING SCHEMATIC

9
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Non-Isolated Duct Work
Anchor bolts
(by others) Non-isolated
threaded rod

SAB-2 required for

attachment to concrete.
SAB-1 may be used for
attachment to steel
Longitudinal brace
(unistrut by others)

Transverse brace
(unistrut by others)

SAB-1
Duct: (6 square feet and larger
requires restraint)

Non-isolated duct has the same bracing requirements as

isolated duct. However, duct that is rigidly supported with-
Transverse/ out isolators can be seismically restrained using the VMC
Longitudinal
series SAB Single Arm Brace.
Our rigid single arm brace consists of two brackets, which
allow the brace a full range of motion for ease of installa-
tion. The bracing material (typically unistrut or angle steel)
is contractor supplied and cut to size in the field. The
Transverse
brace brackets are available in two sizes and incorporate
properly sized and spaced anchor bolt holes. The SAB-1
is designed for attachment to the ductwork and anchoring
into steel. The SAB-2 incorporates two anchor bolt holes
for attachment to concrete. Unlike cable restraints, which
require 2 cables per brace location, the SAB series
requires only one brace per transverse location and one
Transverse/
Longitudinal brace per longitudinal location. An example on ordering
the SAB series is as follows:
Transverse brace anchored into concrete requires:
1 pc SAB-1 (for the attachment at the duct)
1 pc SAB-2 (for the attachment of the brace to the
Transverse
concrete ceiling)
OR
Transverse brace anchored into steel requires:
TYPE SAB BRACING SCHEMATIC 2 pcs SAB-1 (1 pc for attachment to the duct, 1 pc for
attachment to the steel structure)

10
 VMC Seismic Restraints - Technical Data
Seismic Rod Bracing Clamp

Seismic forces act in all directions. Because the threaded

rod is sized purely for gravity loads, it is necessary to add
additional rod bracing to prevent buckling. Uplift forces
SRBC Rod can easily exceed the dead load on the rod resulting in
Bracing Clamp compressive forces. If un-braced the rod can buckle and
fail. With the addition of the VMC series SRBC bracing
clamp, angle steel bracing can be quickly and easily
added to the rod, stiffening and strengthening it.
When vibration hangers are utilized, VMC recommends
attaching the hanger directly to the overhead structure and
adding an uplift washer under the box to prevent the
spring from becoming unloaded.

Clamp Sizing Table:

Used with
Size Angle Size Hanger Rod Sizes
SRBC-11⁄4 1" x 1" x 1⁄4" 3⁄ 8", 1⁄ 2", 5⁄ 8"

SRBC-11⁄2 11⁄2" x 11⁄2" x 1⁄4" 3⁄ 4", 7⁄ 8", 1", 11⁄8"

Note: Three clamps are required per rod. Clamps are

furnished complete with bolt and nut as illustrated.

Project:
VIBRATION MOUNTINGS & CONTROLS, INC.
Architect: An Aeroflex, Inc. Company

Acoustician 113 Main St. Box 270, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403 Toll Free: 1-800-LOW-VIBE
Tel: 973/838-1780 Fax: 973/492-8430
Contractor:

Project No. TYPE "SCR "

SEISMIC RESTRAINTS
Date: Drawing No.

11
 Vibration Mountings & Controls, Inc.
An Aeroflex, Inc. Company

113 Main Street, Box 270, Bloomingdale, NJ 07403

Tel: 973/838-1780 TOLL FREE: 1-800-LOW-VIBE Fax: 973/492-8430

©Vibration Mountings & Controls, Inc. 5M 4/2000