IBC Compliance
What is IBC?
The International Building Code (IBC) is a comprehensive set of regulations addressing both the structural design and the installation requirements for building systems – including HVAC and Industrial Refrigeration equipment.
How Does IBC Apply to Cooling Towers, Closed Circuit Coolers and Evaporative Condensers?
All EVAPCO towers, coolers and condensers have an associated seismic (SDS) and wind load (P) capability which is a function of construction; standard or upgraded. Most model lines also have an upgraded construction option if higher seismic or wind load ratings are needed. The purpose of this document is to explain the new terms and to help explain how these ratings should be considered when selecting units. Importance factor (IP), seismic requirement (SDS) and wind load requirement (P) as defined in the paragraphs below are required from the project specific structural documents and should be used for all final selections.
Click here to review the IBC structural capabilities of EVAPCO's various product lines.
Importance Factor:
Importance factor is used to designate installations that have strategic importance in an emergency (i.e. hospital) or have a toxic substance (i.e. ammonia). Importance factor is identified by the symbol IP. The IP value is not something that you will need to determine; it must be indicated on the structural drawings for the job being bid.
Installations that are not critical are designated with an importance factor of 1.0. Installations that are critical, such as hospitals and communication centers, or have a toxic substance are designated with an importance factor of 1.5. Units assigned an importance factor of 1.5 (due to the facility being critical) require that they be verified via physical (shake table) test by a third party. Tests are performed to verify the structural and functional integrity of the units and their attachments following exposure to a simulated seismic shake. In other words, units for critical jobs have to be put on a test table and shaken to confirm that the stated seismic ratings are accurate.
Individual units do not have to be tested, but a unit from the product line (i.e. AT) being offered has to be tested for the entire product line to be qualified. Units assigned an importance factor of 1.5 for a toxic substance may have their seismic capability verified via either a shake table test or analysis. In fact, condensers generally do not need to be shake table tested.
Seismic Requirement:
Seismic requirement is used to designate installations that require upgraded structural design. Seismic requirement, as defined in the most recent IBC, is identified by the term SDS. The SDS value is not something that you will need to determine; it must be indicated on the structural drawings for the job being bid.
Wind Load Requirement:
Wind load requirement is used to designate installations that require upgraded structural design. Wind load requirement, as defined in the most recent IBC, is identified by the term P. The P value is not something that you will need to determine; it must be indicated on the structural drawings for the job being bid.