Building Code Review

The rules and requirements for the seismic restraints are published in the model building codes.  Historically, there have been three independent codes used in various areas of the United States. In the Northeast, the predominant code was developed by the Building Officials Code Administration (BOCA), which aimed to address concerns specific to the region, such as high snow loads.  In the Southeast, the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) developed the Standard Building Code (SBC), which tended again to focus on local concerns, like wind design. While seismic requirements were addressed by these codes, the design criteria were not particularly severe. West of the Mississippi and more commonly used internationally is the Uniform Building Code (UBC). Because of the more severe conditions present in the western United States, the UBC was required to address snow, wind, and seismic loads on a more equal footing.

The first code version significantly affected by the seismic data collected in the early 1990's was the 1997 UBC. Several new factors were introduced to the design equations to account for soil, fault proximity and type, specifics of the equipment location within the building structure with respect to grade, and typical dynamic response characteristics for particular kinds of equipment.

• In 2000, the International Building Code or IBC was released. This new code was developed as a collective effort by the three independent code bodies. The IBC was intended to, and has been replacing the three independent codes nationwide. The driving force behind the development of this code has been FEMA. While this code most closely resembles the 1997 UBC, it is a considerably refined version using, among other things, new and considerably more comprehensive seismic hazard maps.
• BOCA and SBC will not be updated. Instead, these older generation codes and the smaller seismic design loads predicted by them are being phased out during the next ratification cycle.
• Within the Western Hemisphere, the other code that is most frequently used is the Canadian National Building Code or NBC. The 1995 version of this code, when introduced, was ahead of the U.S. building codes in addressing the location of equipment in buildings. While not currently listing requirements as severe as those identified in the 1997 UBC or IBC, the force development equations specified by the code are quite similar to those of the newer U.S. codes.

It is important to recognize that the newer codes predict a significantly higher seismic design load than past codes. This is particularly true for equipment located in upper levels of buildings. In some instances using the newer code criteria it will be found that attaching heavy, unstable equipment located on an upper floor will not be practical with concrete anchorage. A connection directly to steel will be required.

Depending on the geology of the installation site, a vertical force component may also need to be considered when evaluating seismic loads. When incurred in the codes, this force is typically a fixed percentage of the horizontal seismic load.