Officials
earthquake-prone areas have new testing methods for equipment.
Officials in California and
other earthquake-prone areas have new testing methods for vibration
isolators and HVAC equipment,
under a new ASHRAE standard.
The American Society
of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has released Standard
171, “Method of Testing Seismic Restraint Devices for HVAC and R Equipment.” It
provides manufacturers a way to get their products pre-qualified for areas
where earthquakes are common.
ASHRAE officials said it is the first such standard for
seismic-restraint testing of non-structural components that does not require
shaker-table testing, which is often used in California. These tests determine
the maximum force restraints can stand.
Consulting engineers can use the standard as a reference in
specifications, officials added.
“This standard is a breakthrough for ASHRAE,”
said James Tauby, chairman of the committee that wrote the standard. “This new
national standard moves testing from the West Coast to the entire United
States.”
