ISAT's New IBC Manuals2003 Trade Specific Volumes
IntroductionThe International Seismic Application Technology Applications, Design and Inspection Manual is a three volume series which provides guidelines for the design and installation of engineered seismic restraint systems for suspended utilities. ISAT is a global provider of engineering services, consulting services and restraint system components for nonstructural seismic bracing. Specializing in the healthcare, industrial and commercial construction markets, our focus is providing code compliant solutions that are both cost effective and construction friendly. In keeping with our commitment to the construction industry, ISAT continually adapts its product line and installation details to improve system performance and field installation efficiency. ISAT engineered systems are based on extensive field experience in the seismic bracing of suspended utility systems. Design professionals and contractors deriving the most benefit from ISAT designs will be those involved with new or remedial construction associated with the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) trades plus those involved with Fire Protection Piping. The relevant utility components encompassed within each of the three manual volumes are as follows: Volume 1 – Distributed Electrical Systems & Equipment Buy Now• Electrical Conduit Volume 2 - Mechanical Piping, HVAC Duct & Equipment Buy Now• Mechanical Piping Volume 3 - Plumbing, Piping and Fire Suppression Buy Now• Plumbing and Process Piping Whether performing work within an essential facility or for general commercial, institutional or industrial construction, the user will find that ISAT’s engineered installation details encompass a range of efficient, cost effective seismic bracing options with specific attention to ease of installation. ISAT Bracing details provide the option of utilizing several forms of seismic restraint brace arm elements including: • 12 gauge channel General Code ComplianceISAT installation details and engineered bracing tables are suitable for use under the following codes and standards:
Seismic Code FormulasThe ISAT Applications and Design Manual provides seismic restraint requirements engineered for use within a broad range of horizontal accelerations. Information required at the beginning of the process includes project type, location, seismic force variables (below), and the seismic design specifications or performance criteria. Once these parameters have been determined and certain basic calculations have been performed, ISAT’s Engineered Bracing Tables and Detail Drawings are used to define the seismic bracing requirements for the suspended utilities. ASCE 7-02, Section 9.6.1 requires design of the seismic restraints for nonstructural components. The resultant construction documents are to be prepared by a registered design professional. Seismic Design Force for the component, Fp, is calculated per ASCE 7-02 Equations 9.6.1.3-1 thru 9.6.1.3-3. In order to perform these calculations it is first necessary that the project specific SDS value, defined below, be provided by the Engineer of Record or the Project Architect. The SDS value should commonly be identified on the structural plans or within the construction documents.
The ISAT Project Worksheet located at the back of the Manual is provided as a vehicle for gathering the required information. In addition, the ISAT Manual provides the user with contact numbers to obtain project worksheets for use with other codes. ISAT Engineered Bracing TablesThe cumulative result of applying the seismic demand formulas is the need to provide engineered seismic restraint systems covering a substantial range of possible horizontal accelerations. For simplicity, the worst case horizontal acceleration can be calculated at the underside of the roof deck and then used for all floors of the structure. However, to achieve economy of installation, the horizontal acceleration for each floor can be computed separately and used in conjunction with the ISAT bracing tables. In response to this need ISAT has generated concise tables of the minimum restraint requirements for a broad array of component accelerations applied to commonly used suspended utilities. Quaity Assurance Provisions and Special InspectionPer Sections 1705 and Section 1707 of the 2003 IBC quality assurance and special inspection is required of certain mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems within facilities assigned to Seismic Design Categories C, D, E or F. The registered design professional in responsible charge may utilize ISAT documentation as the basis for submitting a Code required “special inspection plan” for these items. Along with the need for special inspection of specific components as referenced above, contractor’s are required by Codes to submit “a written statement of responsibility” prior to installation of the system or components. A definition of what systems and components require special inspection is provided within the Manual under the Application Notes section specific to each trade. Blast Protection and Operational ResiliancySeismic bracing can also be used to enhance the resiliancy of utility systems within critical facilities where it has been deemed necessary to mitigate against the potential of a bomb blast. ISAT's bracing system can be applied on projects where blast loads are defined. |
