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TOLCO seismic bracing UL203A update

Eaton’s TOLCO seismic bracing products for sprinkler systems are listed to the recently updated UL203A Standard for Safety.

New seismic bracing safety standards

In areas where earthquakes are common, seismic bracing is required to protect fire suppression systems. 

To ensure stronger, more dependable bracing systems for sprinkler systems, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recently updated its 203A Standard for Safety Sway Brace Devices for Sprinkler System Piping. The updates include increasing the safety factor from 1.5 to 2.2 as is required by NFPA 13, 2019 and testing the seismic bracing components at more angles so as to better model the installed conditions.

While other manufacturers may have chosen to make no product changes and reduce their published catalog loads, Eaton has chosen to redesign its TOLCO bracing systems for sprinkler systems.  The TOLCO solutions meet the new UL203A standards for safety factor and load rating.

Fig 4L Sway Brace Attachment

Fig. 4L sway brace attachment

The TOLCO Fig. 4L sway brace allows for both longitudinal and lateral pipe sway bracing and has an improved UL load in compliance with UL203A standard.   It features a break-off torque nut on the pipe clamp to help ensure visual verification of proper installation.

  • Smaller profile, stamped steel jaw for installation in limited space applications
  • Break-off torque nuts on the pipe clamp for ease of installation
  • Pipe clamp size range from 1” to 12”
  • Improved UL listed loads in compliance with the new standard
  • UL listed and FM approved
  • Replaces the former TOLCO Fig. 4L and Fig. 4LA

Fig. 980 universal swivel sway brace upper attachment

The Fig. 980 universal swivel sway brace is one of the most popular attachments in the market today.   It is designed to attach to the structure or structural attachment and is used with strut channel or pipe as the brace member. 

  • Concentric attachment opening, critical to performance of structural seismic connections 
  • Smaller profile, stamped steel jaw for installation in limited space applications
  • Mounts to any surface angle
  • Includes break-off bolt head to help ensure verification of proper torque and installation 
  • Improved UL listed loads in compliance with the new standard
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Fig. 828 universal sway brace upper attachment for steel

The Fig. 828 universal sway brace upper attachment for steel is designed to attach sway bracing and hanger assemblies to structural members using a secure non-friction connection without drilling or welding.  

  • Secures brace to structure either across or along the bea
  • Break-off head set screw helps ensure verification of proper installation torque
  • One size accommodates all Fig. 900 series sway brace attachments, secured with an included flange nut.
  • Improved UL listed loads in compliance with the new standard

TOLBrace fire protection software

Eaton's TOLBrace Software for fire protection seismic bracing is now updated for 2019 NFPA 13. The software continues to support older versions of NFPA 13 to support your project and region needs. 

As an interim release, to arrive at the new safety factor of 2.2, the calculated load within the Zone of Influence was increased by 1.47 (2.2/1.5). The next TOLBrace update will coincide with the new product releases and will have the new UL listed brace capacities. Since the new UL listed brace capacities have the 2.2 safety factor built into them, the next update will also remove the 1.47 factor from the calculated load within the zone of influence.  

  • Simply select “2019 NFPA 13” at the start of your project 
  • Creates a complete submittal package for fire sprinkler systems 
  • Conforms with the most current UL and FM standards

TOLCO seismic bracing support