Responsibility for Mitigation of Seismic Damage
Model 6 MCCs are considered nonstructural building components, as defined by regional building codes and seismic design standards. Equipment capacity was determined from tri-axial seismic shake table test results in accordance with the International Code Counsel Evaluation Service (ICC ES) Acceptance Criteria for Seismic Certification by Shake-TableTesting of Nonstructural Components (AC156).
An equipment importance factor, Ip, that is greater than one (Ip > 1.0) is assumed and indicates that equipment functionality is required after a seismic event and after seismic simulation testing. This importance factor is applicable for designated seismic systems, i.e., special certification, servicing critical infrastructure where post- earthquake equipment functionality is a requirement.
Incoming and outgoing bus, cable, and conduit must also be considered as related, but independent, systems. These distribution systems must be designed and restrained to withstand the forces generated by the seismic event without increasing the load transferred to the equipment. For applications where seismic hazard exists, it is preferable for bus, cable, and conduit to enter and exit the bottom of the equipment enclosure.
Seismic qualification of nonstructural components and equipment by Schneider Electric is just one link in the total chain of responsibility required to maximize the probability that the equipment will be intact and functional after a seismic event. During a seismic event, the equipment must be able to transfer the inertial loads that are created and reacted through the equipment’s force resisting system and anchorage to the load-bearing path of the building structural system or foundation.
Anchorage of equipment, i.e., nonstructural supports and attachments, to the primary building structure or foundation is required to validate seismic conformance. The construction site structural engineer or registered design professional or engineer of record (EOR) is responsible for detailing the equipment anchorage requirements for the given installation. The installer and manufacturers of the anchorage system are responsible for assuring the mounting requirements are met. Schneider Electric is not responsible for the specification and performance of anchorage systems.