This article will explain two different types of supports and hangers from several aspects, including their concepts, functions, and operating principles, enabling you to intuitively understand the differences and similarities between these two types of supports and hangers.

Load-bearing supports and hangers:

1. Load-bearing supports and hangers are pipeline support systems whose primary load is gravity. They serve as fixed installations that secure pipelines to buildings under full gravitational loading conditions.

2. Load-bearing supports and hangers mainly include load-bearing hangers for individual pipelines, load-bearing hangers for multi-pipe gate-type structures, load-bearing hangers for electrical systems, load-bearing hangers for ductwork systems, load-bearing hangers for various pipeline combinations, and load-bearing hangers for different types of equipment, among others.

Seismic bracing and supports:

1. Seismic supports and hangers are seismic protection systems designed to withstand earthquake forces as the primary load. Their purpose is to transfer the seismic forces generated by pipes and equipment to the structural framework during strong earthquakes, thereby providing effective seismic protection.

2. The configurations of inland positions are diverse, just like those of load-bearing suspension frames. The main types include single-pipe internal positions, multi-pipe “Wen”-shaped internal positions, electrical system pipe internal positions, ductwork internal positions, integrated pipe internal positions, and equipment internal positions, among others.

3. The fundamental principle of seismic reinforcement for mechanical and electrical systems is to calculate the seismic forces acting on mechanical and electrical pipelines and equipment, and to reinforce the connections between these pipelines and equipment and the building structure, ensuring that the mechanical and electrical systems are reliably anchored to the building structure. All seismic forces that the mechanical and electrical pipelines and equipment can withstand are transferred entirely to the structural framework. After being subjected to an enhanced-seismic-intensity event, the systems can quickly resume operation, thereby reducing and minimizing secondary disasters. The primary design stages include pipeline and equipment layout—mechanical calculations and selection—point-by-point verification—point-by-point inspection, continuing until each point meets the seismic-reinforcement requirements.

The difference between load-bearing supports and seismic supports

1. The two types of support and hanger installation methods differ.

2. Includes two types of hangers with different ranges:

(1) Load-bearing hangers are required for almost all pipe specifications (except those buried or wall-embedded).

(2) Scope of seismic support hanger installation:

Seismic support design scope for pipeline systems such as hot and cold water, fire protection, and air conditioning piping:

Piping for boiler rooms, air-conditioning rooms, and pump rooms with pipe diameters of 32 mm or greater.

All pipelines with a diameter greater than or equal to DN65mm.

All support hangers of the gate-type design weighing 15 kg/m or more (the full load weight of the suspended pipeline must be taken into account).

Seismic support design scope for air conditioning, ventilation, and smoke control duct systems:

All smoke control system ducts

Ducts with a diameter greater than 0.70 meters.

Rectangular duct with a cross-sectional area greater than 0.38.

Seismic Design Scope for Power System Piping and Cable Tray Systems:

Steel wire sleeves with a diameter greater than DN65mm;

Wire conduits, cable trays, and busbar slots with a thickness of 15 kg/m or more.

Conclusion:

Through the analysis and comparison of the aforementioned load-bearing supports and hangers, it is evident that load-bearing supports and seismic-resistant supports belong to different systems and each has distinct functions. Therefore, during design, they must be configured separately according to their respective specifications and technical drawings; they cannot be used interchangeably.