Documents

General Guidance on the Use of Rod Stiffeners when Seismically Restraining Pipe, Duct, Electrical Distribution Systems

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 …

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ASCE 7-16 Critical Code Updates For Wind

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

Deflection Relates to Vibration

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

SNOW LOAD IS COMING

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 …

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Pipe Risers and Their Supports

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

Calculation of Wind Loads on Rooftop Equipment Per ASCE7-16

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 …

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Delegated Design for Seismic and Wind Load Engineering on Mechanical and Electrical Components

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 …

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