1705A.13.3 Special seismic certification

For structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F, equipment and components that are subject to the requirements of Section 13.2.2 of ASCE 7 for special seismic certification, the registered design professional shall specify on the approved construction documents the requirements to be met by analysis or testing as specified therein. Certificates of compliance documenting that the requirements are met shall be submitted to the building official as specified in Section 1704A.5.

Active or energized equipment and components shall be certified exclusively on the basis of approved shake table testing in accordance with ICC-ES AC 156. Minimum of two equipment/components shall be tested for a product line with similar structural configuration. Where a range of products are tested, the two equipment/components shall be either the largest and a small unit, or approved alternative representative equipment/components.

Exception: When a single product (and not a product line with more than one product with variations) is certified and manufacturing process is ISO 9001 certified, one test shall be permitted.

For a multi-component system, where active or energized components are certified by tests, connecting elements, attachments, and supports can be justified by supporting analysis.

Special seismic certification shall be required for the following systems, equipment, and components:

1. emergency and standby power systems.
2. Elevator equipment (excluding elevator cabs).
3. Components with hazardous contents.
4. Exhaust and smoke control fans.
5. Switchgear and switchboards.
6. Motor control centers.
7. Fluoroscopy and x-ray equipment required for radiological/diagnostic imaging service (for service requirements see CBC Section 1224.18.1), and any fluoroscopy and/or radiographic system provided in support of diagnostic assessment of trauma injuries.

8. CT (Computerized Tomography) systems used for diagnostic assessment of trauma injuries.

   Exception: CT equipment used for treatment or in hybrid operating rooms, including those used for interventional CT, unless used for diagnostic assessment of trauma injuries.

9. Air conditioning units excluding Variable/Constant Air Volume (VAV/CAV) boxes up to 75 lbs.
10. Air handling units.
11. Chillers, including associated evaporators, and condensers.
12. Cooling towers.
13. Transformers.
14. Electrical substations.
15. UPS and batteries.
16. Panelboards as defined in the California Electrical Code (CEC) Article 100.
17. Industrial control panels as defined in the California Electrical Code (CEC) Article 100.
18. Power isolation and correction systems.
19. Motorized surgical lighting systems.
20. Motorized operating table systems.
21. Internal communication servers and routers.
22. Medical gas and vacuum systems.
23. Electrical busways as defined in UL 857.
24. Electrical control panels powered by the life safety branch in accordance with the California Electrical Code (CEC) Article 517.32 or the critical branch in accordance with the California Electrical Code (CEC) Article 517.33.

Exceptions:

1. Equipment and components weighing not more than 50 lbs. supported directly on structures or surface mounted on equipment or components that are not required to have special seismic certification by this section.
2. Movable (mobile) and temporary equipment/components that are not anchored to structure or permanently attached to the building utility services such as electricity, gas or water. For the purposes of this requirement, “permanently attached” shall include all electrical connections except plugs for duplex receptacles.
3. Pipes, ducts, conduits and cable trays, excluding in-line equipment and components.
4. Underground tanks.
5. Electric motors, pumps, and compressors up to 20 hp.
6. Electrical controllers, switches, transformers, circuit breakers, and fuses up to 10 lbs. or 10 amperes.
7. Components where importance factor, I_p, is permitted to be 1.0 by this code.
8. Emergency generators up to 25 kilowatts.
9. Equipment and components used for clinical trials only.