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Pipe Warehouse UK | Pipe Support Spacings

In this article:

We look at pipe bracket spacing and the support needs of plastic pipelines

We answer: At what intervals should I support my plastic pipe?

What are the main factors that determine the support requirements of plastic pipe?


Pipe Bracket & Support Spacings

Correct minimum required spacing for supporting your plastic pipe will avoid the issues that can arise from under supported piping. Plastic by its very nature will become more ductile at greater temperatures and, if under supported, may result in flexing and sagging.  A sagging pipe can affect the functionality of the system: it can lead to a build-up of settled solids, restrict flow or even block the pipe; it can also encourage the formation of air locks, especially in low head/pressure pipe systems; and, lastly, it looks unprofessional.


Use our handy charts to help you ascertain the required support spacings

all charts are based on data for media of up to 1g/cm3 (Water) for horizontal pipe installations

Plastic pipelines need to be supported at certain intervals, the main factors that determine the spacing needs are:

Pipe material:

PVC and ABS have roughly the same support centre requirements.  Materials that may be considered "softer", such as PE will need more frequent support.

Average pipe wall temperature:

Plastic will soften and become more ductile at increased temperatures, and therefore require support with greater frequency along its length to avoid sagging.

Density of medium

The greater density of the medium being piped will increase the need for more frequent support

Size and wall thickness of pipe

The greater diameter of the pipe generally means a greater wall thickness, which increases the rigidity and decreases the frequency at which it needs supporting


UPVC & ABS Pipe Support Spacings for water or media of density ≤ 1g/cm3

This chart shows recommended maximum support intervals for horizontal pipelines in each pipe diameter at different operating temperatures

Pipe Outer Diameter 20°C 30°C 40°C 50°C 60°C
16mm 80cm 70cm 50cm Continuous Continuous
20mm 90cm 80cm 60cm Continuous Continuous
25mm 95cm 85cm 65cm 55cm 40cm
32mm 105cm 90cm 70cm 60cm 45cm
40mm 120cm 110cm 90cm 70cm 55cm
50mm 140cm 130cm 110cm 85cm 65cm
63mm 150cm 140cm 120cm 95cm 70cm
75mm 165cm 155cm 135cm 110cm 80cm
90mm 180cm 170cm 150cm 125cm 95cm
110mm 200cm 190cm 170cm 145cm 115cm
125mm 210cm 200cm 185cm 160cm 125cm
140mm 225cm 215cm 195cm 170cm 140cm
160mm 240cm 230cm 210cm 185cm 155cm
200mm 255cm 240cm 255cm 200cm 170cm
225mm 270cm 260cm 240cm 215cm 185cm

Polypropylene Pipe Support Spacings for liquids of density ≤ 1g/cm3 and for gases

This chart shows recommended maximum support intervals for horizontal pipelines in each pipe diameter at different maximum operating temperatures

Pipe Outer Diameter 20°C 30°C 40°C 50°C 60°C 80°C 100°C
16mm 75cm 70cm 50cm 65cm 65cm 55cm 40cm
20mm 80cm 75cm 70cm 70cm 65cm 60cm 45cm
25mm 85cm 85cm 85cm 80cm 75cm 70cm 50cm
32mm 100cm 95cm 95cm 90cm 85cm 75cm 55cm
40mm 110cm 110cm 105cm 100cm 95cm 85cm 60cm
50mm 125cm 120cm 115cm 110cm 105cm 90cm 70cm
63mm 140cm 135cm 130cm 125cm 120cm 105cm 80cm
75mm 155cm 150cm 145cm 135cm 130cm 115cm 85cm
90mm 165cm 165cm 155cm 150cm 145cm 125cm 95cm
110mm 185cm 180cm 175cm 165cm 160cm 140cm 105cm
125mm 200cm 190cm 185cm 180cm 170cm 150cm 110cm
140mm 210cm 205cm 195cm 190cm 180cm 155cm 115cm
160mm 225cm 225cm 210cm 200cm 190cm 165cm 125cm
200mm 250cm 250cm 235cm 225cm 215cm 185cm 135cm
225mm 265cm 260cm 250cm 240cm 230cm 200cm 145cm
250mm 280cm 275cm 265cm 255cm 240cm 210cm 200cm
315mm 315cm 305cm 295cm 285cm 270cm 235cm 225cm

Polyethylene Pipe Support Spacings for liquids of density ≤ 1g/cm3 and for gases

This chart shows recommended maximum support intervals for horizontal pipelines in each pipe diameter at different maximum operating temperatures

Pipe Outer Diameter 20°C 30°C 40°C 50°C 60°C
20mm 75cm 70cm 65cm 65cm 60cm
25mm 80cm 80cm 75cm 70cm 65cm
32mm 90cm 90cm 85cm 80cm 75cm
40mm 100cm 100cm 95cm 90cm 85cm
50mm 115cm 110cm 105cm 100cm 95cm
63mm 130cm 125cm 120cm 115cm 105cm
75mm 140cm 135cm 130cm 125cm 115cm
90mm 155cm 150cm 145cm 135cm 130cm
110mm 170cm 165cm 160cm 150cm 140cm
125mm 185cm 175cm 170cm 160cm 150cm
140mm 195cm 185cm 180cm 170cm 155cm
160mm 210cm 200cm 190cm 180cm 170cm
200mm 235cm 220cm 210cm 200cm 186cm
225mm 250cm 235cm 220cm 210cm 200cm

Vertical installation

For installation of pipe in a vertical orientation, the bracket spacing given in the charts above may be be increased by 30%

Media Density

Where the density of the piped media exceeds 1 g/cm3; the table below can be employed to calculate the maximum recommended spacing.

Fluid density in g/cm3 Multiplication factor
1.25 0.90
1.5 0.83
1.75 0.77
2.00 0.70

How to calculate. Just multiply the data, ascertained from the calculator above, by the corresponding multiplication factor shown here for your fluid density.

The result will be a reduced support interval shown in cm.

Summary:
• Correct support spacing will avoid flexing and sagging in pipelines.
• Generally, the larger the diameter and thicker the wall, the greater the maximum distance needed between supports.

• The higher the temperature of piped media, it is generally required that there is less space between pipe supports

 

All information provided in this article is intended as a preliminary guide only. These charts and information does not constitute actual advice and
Pipe Warehouse UK is not responsible for any issues arising from the use or reliance on the information contained in this article.

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