Seismic Non-Structural

Considerations
Architectural, Mechanical,
and Electrical Components
and Systems
Niel Palmer, PE

International Building Code

Section 1621

Reference ASCE 7-02, Section 9.6

Except
Section 9.6.3.11.2 shall not apply (Fire
Protection Sprinkler Systems)
Section 9.6.2.8.1 modified with exception
added for Partitions < 9 ft high, seismic load
< 5 psf)
Section 9.6.3.13 modified to add qualification
for hazardous or flammable materials

General
Section 9.6 establishes minimum design criteria

for Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical and nonstructural systems, components, and elements
permanently attached to structures
Minimum force requirements
Seismic relative displacement requirements
Component Importance factor (Ip)

General
Overview of requirements for Architectural,

Mechanical, Electrical and non-structural

systems, components, and elements
permanently attached to structures generally
handled in Performance type Specifications

General
Section 9.6.1
Establishes minimum equivalent static force levels and
displacements for the design of components and their
attachments to the structure
The functional and physical interrelationship of
components and their effect on each other shall be
designed so that the failure of an essential or
nonessential component shall not cause the failure of a
nearby essential architectural, mechanical, or electrical
component.

Seismic Use Group &

Seismic Design Category
Seismic Use Groups I, II, III
Table 9.1.3 Cross referenced to Occupancy
Category (Table 1-1)

Seismic Design Category A through F

Most severe SDC from
- Table 9.4.2.1a based on short period response
- Table 9.4.2.1b based on 1-second period
response

Exempt Components
1. Components in Seismic Design Category (SDC)

A
2. Architectural components in SDC B except
parapets supported by bearing or shear walls
with Ip = 1.0
3. Mechanical and electrical components in
SDC B
4. Mechanical and electrical components in
SDC C, Ip = 1.0

Parapet Failure

Exempt Components
5. Mechanical and electrical components in SDC

6.

D, E, and F, Ip = 1.0, flexible connections

between components and ductwork , mounted
<= 4 ft above floor, <= 400 lbs
Mechanical and electrical components in SDC
D, E, and F, <= 20 lbs, Ip = 1.0, flexible
connections between components and
ductwork or distribution system <= 5 plf

Note Exempt Components

Exempts all components where SDS < 0.167g & SD1 <
0.067g
Exempts components except parapets in Seismic Use
Groups I & II where SDS < 0.33g & SD1 < 0.133g
Exempts mechanical and electrical components with
component importance factor (Ip ) = 1.0 in Seismic Use
Groups I & II where SDS < 0.50g & SD1 < 0.20g

Construction Documents
Table 9.6.1.7
Required component seismic design &
quality assurance requirements listed in
Table 9.6.1.7
Quality Assurance requirements in
Appendix A.9 Section A.9.3

Seismic Forces (Fp)

Eq. 9.6.1.3-1

Fp =

0.4 ap SDS Wp

(1+2

R p / Ip

z
h

Eq. 9.6.1.3-2
Fp not greater than
Fp = 1.6 SDS Ip Wp
Eq. 9.6.1.3-3
Fp not less than
Fp = 0.3 SDS Ip Wp
Combine horizontal and vertical load effects per
Section 9.5.2.7 substituting Fp for QE

Terms
Fp = Seismic design force centered at components center of
gravity
SDS = spectral acceleration, short period Section 9.4.1.2.5
ap = component amplification factor vary from 1.00 to 2.50
Table 9.6.2.2 or Section 9.6.3.2
Wp = component operating weight
Rp = component response modification factor vary from 1.500
to 5.00 Tables 9.6.2.2 or 9.6.3.2
z = height at point of attachment
h = average roof height of structure

Seismic Forces (Fp)

In lieu of Eq. 9.6.1.3-1 accelerations at any level may be
determined by the modal analysis procedures of Section
9.5.6 with R = 1.0. Upper & lower limits still apply.
Seismic forces shall be in accordance with Eq. 9.6.1.3-4
Fp =

ai ap Wp
R p / Ip

Ax

Where ai is the acceleration at level i obtained

from the modal analysis and where Ax is the
torsional amplification factor per Eq. 9.5.5.5.2.

Seismic Relative Displacements

Section 9.6.1.4
Relative displacements of two connection points
on same structure A
Eq. 9.6.1.4-1
Dp = xA yA
xA =

deflection at building level X determined by

elastic analysis per Section 9.5.5.7.1

Alternately, Dp may be determined using modal

procedures per Section 9.5.6.8.
Story deflections calculated for each mode and
combined using appropriate modal combination
procedures.
Square root of sum of squares
Complete quadratic combination
Dp not required to be greater than
Eq. 9.6.1.4-2
Dp = (hx hy ) aA / hsx

Component Importance Factor

Section 9.6.1.5
Ip = 1.5

Life safety component required to function after an

earthquake
Component contains hazardous content
Storage racks in structures open to the public
Seismic use group III All components needed for
continued operation or whose failure could impair
continue d operation

Ip = 1.0

All other components

Component Anchorage
Section 9.6.1.6
Caveat on shallow expansion anchors
Minimum force for anchors embedded in concrete or

masonry
Include expected conditions of installation including
eccentricities and prying effects
Account for stiffness in component with multiple
connections
Powder driven fasteners not used for tension load
applications in SDC D, E, F unless approved for such
loadings
Anchors in concrete per Section 9.9

Architectural Component Design

Section 9.6.2
Architectural components shall meet force requirements of
Section 9.6.1.3
Components supported by chains or otherwise suspended not
required to meet lateral and displacement requirements provided
they can not become a hazard or damage other components
Components that pose life safety hazard designed for relative
displacement requirements of Section 9.6.1.4
Components designed for vertical deflection due to joint
rotation of cantilevered structural members

Exterior Nonstructural Wall

Elements and Connections
Section 9.6.2.4

Forces per Eq. 9.6.1.3-1 or 9.6.1.3-2

Accommodate movements, Dp, or

temperature changes
Supported by positive and direct structural
supports or by mechanical connections &
fasteners
Design per 9.6.2.4.1, paragraphs a through e

Suspended Ceilings
Section 9.6.2.6

Suspended Ceilings
Section 9.6.2.6

Weight of ceiling, Wp, shall include grid & panels,

attached light fixtures, other components

laterally supported by ceiling
Wp not less than 4 lbs/ft2
Ceilings in SDC C, D, E, F designed & installed
per Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction
Association (CISCA)

Access Floors
Section 9.6.2.7

Weight of access floor, Wp, shall include

weight of floor system, 100% of weight of

all equipment fastened to floor & 25% of
equipment supported by but not fastened
to the floor
Design criteria in Section 9.6.2.7.2 for
access floor to be considered a special
access floors

Partitions
Section 9.6.2.8

Partitions
Section 9.6.2.8

Partitions tied to ceiling or greater than 6

ft shall be laterally braced to the building
structure independent of ceiling splay
bracing
Glass in partitions designed per Section
9.6.2.10

Steel Storage Racks

Section 9.6.2.9

Steel Storage Racks

Section 9.6.2.9

Supported at structure base designed per

Section 9.14, nonbuilding structures
Supported above base designed per
Sections 9.6.1 & 9.6.2

Glass in Glazed Curtain Walls,

Glazed Storefronts, and Glazed Partitions
Section 9.6.2.10

Must meet relative displacement requirement of Eq.

9.6.2.10.1-1

> 1.25 Dp I or 0.5 in, whichever is greater

fallout = relative drift causing glass fallout
Dp = design relative seismic displacement
I = occupancy importance factor (Table 9.1.4)
Exceptions
fallout

Glass with sufficient clearances to frame at design drift

Fully tempered monolithic glass, Use Groups I & II < 10 ft above
walking surface
Annealed or heat-strengthened laminated glass in single
thickness meeting specific criteria

Mechanical and Electrical Component Design

Section 9.6.3

Mechanical and electrical components shall meet force

and seismic displacement requirements of Sections

9.6.1.3, 9.6.1.4, & Table 9.6.3.2 (component
amplification factor (ap) & component response
modification factor (Rp)
Exemption for chain or otherwise supported components
designed to prevent damage to themselves or other
components
Fundamental period for components able to be
represented by simple spring and mass single degree of
freedom
Tp = 2 p Wp
Kp g

Utility and Service Lines at Structure Interfaces

Section 9.6.3.7
At the interface of adjacent structures or
portions of the same structure that may move
independently, utility lines shall have adequate
flexibility to accommodate differential movement
For Seismic Use Group III possible interruption
of utility service shall be considered

Storage Tanks Mounted in Structures

Section 9.6.3.9
Storage tanks, including their attachments and supports,
shall be designed to meet force requirements of Section
9.14, nonbuilding structures

HVAC Ductwork
Section 9.6.3.10
Attachments and supports shall be designed to meet force and
displacement provisions of Sections 9.6.1.3 & 9.6.1.4 and
additional provisions of this Section
Special provisions for ductwork systems with Ip = 1.5
Ductwork between structures shall be designed for relative
displacements specified in Section 9.6.1.4
Seismic restraints not required for ducts with Ip = 1.0 and
Ducts suspended < 12 in. from top of duct to structure - or
cross section less than 6 ft2

Support and bracing requirements for in-line items > 75 lbs

Piping Systems
Section 9.6.3.11

Piping Systems
Section 9.6.3.11
Piping systems attached to structures subject to relative
displacement or cross isolation boundaries shall be
designed for relative displacements
Pressure piping designed per ASME B31, Code for
Pressure Piping, shall be deemed to meet provisions of
this Section
Design criteria for piping not designed per ASME B31

Boilers and Pressure Vessels

Section 9.6.3.12
Seismic design shall include dynamic effects of boiler or
pressure vessel, contents to include sloshing, supports,
and attached components such as piping
Boilers and pressure vessels designed per ASME Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Code shall be deemed to meet
requirements of this Section
Design criteria for boilers and pressure vessels not
designed per ASME

Electrical Equipment, Attachments, and Supports

Section 9.6.3.14

Electrical Equipment, Attachments, and Supports

Section 9.6.3.14

Electrical Equipment, Attachments, and Supports

Section 9.6.3.14
Attachments and supports shall be designed to meet force and
displacement provisions of Sections 9.6.1.3 & 9.6.1.4 and
additional provisions of this Section
Special provisions for electrical equipment with Ip = 1.5
Special provisions for attachments and supports for electrical
equipment
Friction clips not used for anchorage
Oversized washers required at bolted connections through base sheet
metal without stiffeners
Specific evaluation if weak axis bending of light gage support steel
involved
Requirements for components mounted on vibration isolation systems

Elevator Design Requirements

Section 9.6.3.16
Elevators shall meet force and displacement provisions of
Section 9.6.3.2. Elevators designed per seismic provisions of
ASME Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators shall be deemed to
meet this Section (See requirements for elevator structural
systems & elevator machinery and controller supports)
Seismic switches shall be provided for all elevators addressed in
Section 9.6.3.16.1 operating at 150 ft/min or greater
Retainer plates are required at the top and bottom of the car and
counterweight

The End
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