Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
313.3 Suspended Piping — 2025 California Mechanical Code
California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-10-19 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
Cite as: 2025 California Mechanical Code (Title 24, Part 4) § 313.3 · Effective January 1, 2026 · Official source: Building Standards Commission
Suspended piping or tubing shall be supported at intervals not to exceed those shown in Table 313.3.
TABLE 313.3
HANGERS AND SUPPORTS
| MATERIALS | TYPES OF JOINTS | HORIZONTAL | VERTICAL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cast | Lead and Oakum | 5 feet, except 10 feet where 10 foot lengths are installed1, 2, 3 |
5 feet, except 10 feet where 10 foot lengths are installed1, 2, 3 |
5 feet, except 10 feet where 10 foot lengths are installed1, 2, 3 |
Base and each floor, not to exceed 15 feet |
| Cast | Compression Gasket | Every other joint, unless over 4 feet then support each joint1, 2, 3 |
Every other joint, unless over 4 feet then support each joint1, 2, 3 |
Every other joint, unless over 4 feet then support each joint1, 2, 3 |
Base and each floor, not to exceed 15 feet |
| Cast-Iron Hubless | Shielded Coupling | Every other joint, unless over 4 feet then support each joint1, 2, 3, 4 |
Every other joint, unless over 4 feet then support each joint1, 2, 3, 4 |
Every other joint, unless over 4 feet then support each joint1, 2, 3, 4 |
Base and each floor, not to exceed 15 feet |
| Copper & Copper Alloys | Soldered, Brazed, Threaded, or Mechanical |
11⁄2 inches and smaller, 6 feet; 2 inches and larger, 10 feet |
11⁄2 inches and smaller, 6 feet; 2 inches and larger, 10 feet |
11⁄2 inches and smaller, 6 feet; 2 inches and larger, 10 feet |
Each floor, not to exceed 10 feet5 |
| Steel Pipe for Water DWV |
Threaded or Welded | 3⁄4 inch and smaller, 10 feet; 1 inch and larger, 12 feet |
3⁄4 inch and smaller, 10 feet; 1 inch and larger, 12 feet |
3⁄4 inch and smaller, 10 feet; 1 inch and larger, 12 feet |
Every other floor, not to exceed 25 feet5 |
| Steel Pipe for Gas | Threaded or Welded | 1⁄2 inch, 6 feet;3⁄4 inch and 1 inch, 8 feet; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 10 feet |
1⁄2 inch, 6 feet;3⁄4 inch and 1 inch, 8 feet; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 10 feet |
1⁄2 inch, 6 feet;3⁄4 inch and 1 inch, 8 feet; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 10 feet |
1⁄2 inch, 6 feet;3⁄4 inch and 1 inch, 8 feet; 11⁄4 inches every floor level |
| Schedule 40 PVC and ABS |
Solvent Cemented | All sizes, 4 feet; allow for expansion every 30 feet3 |
All sizes, 4 feet; allow for expansion every 30 feet3 |
All sizes, 4 feet; allow for expansion every 30 feet3 |
Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides; provide for expansion every 30 feet |
| CPVC | Solvent Cemented | 1 inch and smaller, 3 feet; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 3 feet; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 3 feet; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides |
| CPVC-AL-CPVC | Solvent Cemented | 1⁄2 inch, 5 feet; ¾ inch, 65 inches; 1 inch, 6 feet |
1⁄2 inch, 5 feet; ¾ inch, 65 inches; 1 inch, 6 feet |
1⁄2 inch, 5 feet; ¾ inch, 65 inches; 1 inch, 6 feet |
Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides |
| Lead | Wiped or Burned | Continuous Support | Continuous Support | Continuous Support | Not to exceed 4 feet |
| Steel | Mechanical | In accordance with standards acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction | In accordance with standards acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction | In accordance with standards acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction | In accordance with standards acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction |
| PEX | Cold Expansion, Insert and Compression |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides |
| PEX-AL-PEX | Metal insert and metal compression |
1⁄2 inch 3⁄4 inch 1 inch |
} |
All sizes 98 inches | Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides |
| PE-AL-PE | Metal insert and metal compression |
1⁄2 inch 3⁄4 inch 1 inch |
} | All sizes 98 inches | Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides |
| PE-RT | Insert and Compression | 1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Fusion weld (socket, butt, saddle, electrofusion), threaded (metal threads only), or mechanical |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
1 inch and smaller, 32 inches; 11⁄4 inches and larger, 4 feet |
Base and each floor; provide mid-story guides |
For SI unit: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm
Notes: 1 Support adjacent to joint, not to exceed 18 inches (457 mm). 2 Brace not to exceed 40 feet (12 192 mm) intervals to prevent horizontal movement. 3 Support at each horizontal branch connection. 4 Hangers shall not be placed on the coupling. 5 Vertical water lines shall be permitted to be supported in accordance with recognized engineering principles with regard to expansion and contraction, where first approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
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