Print this page Seismic Design for Mechanical Equipment Installations
Steven G. Liescheidt, P.E., CCS, CCPR
Course Outline
This seven hour online course discusses some fundamental basics of how to attach mechanical equipment to a building to minimize earthquake damage. There are many attachment examples shown in the source document for this course including anchoring and the use of special devices called seismic restraint devices. This course and the source document do not supersede code requirements; however, it provides a good fundamental basis for understanding the practical requirements for installing mechanical equipment requiring seismic bracing. Users of the information in this course and the source document assume all liability arising from such use.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.
Learning
Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- How to install mechanical equipment for seismic applications;
- Attachment types;
- Anchors;
- Special cases;
- Anchor selection guide;
- Cast-in-place anchors;
- Lag bolts;
- Seismic terminology;
- Rigid Floor-mounted Attachments;
- Roof mounted attachments;
- Suspended attachments;
- Vibration isolation attachments;
- Wall mounted attachments;
- Specific equipment type installations – chillers, compressors, fans, pumps;
- Specific equipment type installations – air handlers, coils, heat exchangers;
- Specific equipment type installations – VAV boxes, silencers, fan coil units;
- Specific equipment type installations – furnaces, humidifiers, water heaters;
- Specific equipment type installations – cooling towers, evaporative and fluid coolers;
- Control panel installations;
- Housekeeping pad installations; and
- Residential equipment installations.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for mechanical and structural engineers.
Benefit for Attendee
Attendee of this course will be able to better understand some practical methods of seismic bracing and restraint of mechanical equipment.
Course Introduction
The source document for this course was prepared by the Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Manufacturers Association (VISCMA) under a cooperative agreement between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Course Content
This course is based on the document Installing Seismic Restraints For Mechanical Equipment, FEMA 412/December 2002:
Seismic Design for Mechanical Equipment Installations
(http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1557)
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
This course is shows engineers and equipment installers how to attach mechanical equipment to a building to minimize earthquake damage. Many attachment examples are presented, to include anchoring and the use of special devices called seismic restraint devices. Seismic restraint devices include vibration systems, roof attachment systems and steel shapes.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
Federal Emergency Management Agency – www.fema.gov
American Society of Civil Engineers – www.asce.com
Vibration Isolation & Seismic Control Manufacturers – www.viscma.com
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
