In mechanical, electrical, and plumbing distribution systems, hanger rods are used to provide the vertical (dead) load support, making the primary force imposed on them a tension force. However, when cables or rigid brace members are used to provide restraint against seismic forces, the hanger rods at the brace locations can be loaded with a …
Throughout the country, local jurisdictions have started updating their building codes to match ASCE 7-16 and its associated IBC counterparts. Because of this, it is important to investigate the code updates of the wind loads. There are three major code updates in the ASCE 7-16 wind load calculations. Click to download
The deflection of an isolator is defined as the difference in the original unloaded height of the isolator and the final loaded height of the isolator. This deflection is equivalent to the inverse of the natural operating frequency of the isolation device. Click to download
The most known vibration isolation design forces associated with HVAC applications in the US are Seismic and Wind Load criteria. However, there is a third design force that needs consideration for these systems: snow load. Snow load is an axial force that is applied to roofs and rooftop equipment and is specified in the ASCE …
Mechanical equipment mounted on the roofs of buildings are the most complained-about pieces of equipment in a building. Many times, this is due to the upper floors being occupied by top level executives in commercial buildings and by tenants of high-end condominiums in residential buildings, both of whom expect a certain level of quiet in …
There is a reason engineering firms would like to use boilerplate specifications; if you are going to spend the time, energy and money to create a specification, then why not do it once and do it right? While there are some sections of the specification that may not change on a project by project basis, …
HVAC piping in a building usually has its longest run in vertical plane in the form of a pipe riser. The length of the run is not immediately visible to those reviewing the building plans, but the scale of the pipe run becomes clear when riser diagrams are reviewed. Click to download
When working with structural steel frames it is important to recognize that they are not as rigid as are concrete inertia bases. Because of this, the first thing that must be addressed is to ensure that the base is rigid enough to distribute the distributed equipment loads to the support points defined by the isolator …
The IBC mandates that all outdoor equipment and systems, especially those on rooftops, require an engineering calculation to be performed to determine the possible lateral and uplift forces. If this engineering work, which helps determine the necessary attachment methods, isn’t completed we are at risk of equipment and or buildings being damaged, or worse yet …
Calculation of Wind Loads on Rooftop Equipment Per ASCE7-16 Read More »
It is well understood that a major construction project is complex, and that one engineer or engineering firm may not have the expertise or experience in all of the engineering requirements that go into such a project. As such, the code allows the responsible engineer of record to delegate design work to other engineers or …
