11.2.2 Evaluation Procedures for NPC 3 and NPC 3R

The following steps shall determine if the building meets the criteria for NPC 3 or NPC 3R:

1. Identify the specific nonstructural components and equipment that are subject to the requirements of NPC 2 and NPC 3 or NPC 3R;

2. Conduct an inventory of components and equipment specified in Table 11.1, NPC 3 and NPC 3 R, noting whether the components and equipment are anchored or braced;

   Exception: Any general acute care hospital facility located in both a "rural area" as defined in Section 70059.1, Division 5, Title 22 and Seismic Zone 3 pursuant to 1995 California Building Code (CBC) or later version of the CBC shall comply with the fire sprinkler system anchorage and bracing requirements of NFPA 13, 1994 edition or subsequent standard by January 1, 2013.

3. Determine the level of NPC 3 conformance desired.

   1. Buildings classified as SPC 1 or SPC 2 are permitted to meet the NPC 3 performance level, or the NPC 3R performance level. See also Section 11.2.3(c).
   2. Buildings classified as SPC 3 or higher must meet the NPC 3 performance level.

4. Determine if the anchorage or bracing of the identified components and equipment complies with the following conditions:

   1. Installed under a permit issued by OSHPD. Drawings showing the installation and bearing an OSHPD approval stamp are required to show that the installation conforms to Part 2, Title 24; or
   2. Reviewed and approved by the Department of General Services, Office of Architecture and Construction, Structural Safety Section. Drawings showing: a) the installation; b) bear an Office of Architecture and Construction, Structural Safety Section approval stamp; and c) a five-digit project number on the approval stamp that begins with an "H" prefix, are required to demonstrate that the installation conforms to Part 2, Title 24. It shall also be demonstrated by a written report submitted by the structural engineer, acceptable to the enforcement agency, that an investigation of the anchorage and bracing of components and equipment identified in Section 11.2.2(a) shows it to be constructed in reasonable conformity with these drawings.

   Anchorage and bracing of elements that comply with either of these conditions are considered to meet the requirements of NPC 2 and NPC 3 or NPC 3R.

   Installation is defined as that which shows the size and type of material for all components of the system including the anchor or fastener manufacturer (if proprietary), type, total number and embedment if connected to structural concrete, masonry or wood.

5. If the components and equipment inventoried in 11.2.2(b) are anchored or braced, but do not meet the requirements of Section 11.2.2(d), determine if the bracing and anchorage is sufficient to meet the code requirements specified in Table 11.1 for NPC 3 or NPC 3R. The bracing capacity shall be determined by calculations based upon information shown in the construction documents. If these documents are incomplete or unavailable, the evaluation shall be based on the as-built conditions, with the capacity of fasteners to masonry, concrete, or wood determined by approved tests. For NPC 3R, the investigation of the adequacy of anchorage and bracing may be limited to the connection of the component or equipment to the support when the total reaction at the point of support (including the application of F_p) exceeds the following limits:

   1. 250 pounds for components or equipment attached to light frame walls. For the purposes of this requirement, the sum of the absolute value of all reactions due to component loads on a single stud shall not exceed 250 pounds.
   2. 1,000 pounds for components or equipment attached to roofs, or walls of reinforced concrete or masonry construction.

   3. 2,000 pounds for components or equipment attached to floors or slabs-on-grade.

      Exception: If the anchorage or bracing is configured in a manner that results in significant torsion on a supporting structural element, the effects of the nonstructural reaction force on the structural element shall be considered in the anchorage design.

6. If any of the items inventoried in 11.2.2(b) are inadequately anchored or braced, as determined by Section 11.2.2(d), the building shall be placed in NPC 2.