Entertainment Venue, St Louis, Missouri

Improving Seismic Bracing Efficiency for Ductwork Installation

This construction project required the installation of spiral and rectangular ductwork, along with seismic bracing for mechanical services, to ensure compliance with seismic safety standards. With extensive HVAC systems across the building, the contractor needed a solution that could reduce installation time, lower labor costs, and improve job-site safety.

Traditionally, the team would have installed ductwork using band iron hanger straps, while seismic bracing would have relied on strut channel and seismic clips. These conventional methods were time-consuming, labor-intensive, and required multiple installers, particularly when handling heavy strut sections.

Installing 18-foot lengths of strut weighing between 20–30 lbs often required two workers, creating additional labor costs and potential safety risks while slowing down installation progress.

A Faster, Safer Alternative with Gripple

Whit Erwin, General Foreman at Jarrell Mechanical, was already familiar with Gripple solutions, having first used them more than 24 years ago when they were introduced in the St. Louis market. Since then, Gripple hangers have become a trusted solution for improving installation efficiency on HVAC projects.

For this project, Jarrell Mechanical used Gripple HangFast suspension systems to hang the ductwork and, for the first time, installed TecLoc Cable Bracing Kits and TecLoc Conduit Claws to provide seismic restraint.

Compared with traditional methods, Gripple products provided a lightweight, easy-to-install solution that allowed for faster installation with fewer installers on site. The system’s adjustability and simplicity enabled one-person installation, reducing both installation time and manual handling risks.