Installing Seismic Restraints For Mechanical Equipment
Installing Seismic Restraints For Mechanical Equipment
Installing Seismic Restraints For Mechanical Equipment
INSTALLING
SEISMIC RESTRAINTS
FOR
MECHANICAL
EQUIPMENT
August 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
Air Compressors
Air Conditioning Units and Heat Pumps
Air Handling Units
Air Separators
Boilers, Furnaces, Humidifiers, Water Heaters
Chillers
Coils and Heat Exchangers
Condenser and Condensing units
Cooling Towers, Evaporative Coolers, Fluid Coolers
Fans
Heaters
Pumps
Tanks and Gas Cylinders
VAV Boxes, Duct Silencers, Fan-coil Units
2
4
4
6
8
10
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
ATTACHMENT TYPES
Rigid Floor-mounted/Pad-mounted Attachment
Roof-mounted Attachment
Suspended Attachment
Vibration-isolated/Floor-mounted Attachment
Wall-mounted Attachment
31
31
47
61
76
87
ANCHORS
General
Cast-in-place Anchors
Lag Bolts
Masonry Anchors
Steel Bolt Connections
Welding
94
94
101
102
104
111
116
SPECIAL CASES
Cables
Control Panels
Housekeeping Pads
Residential Equipment
118
118
124
129
133
135
GLOSSARY
143
INDEX
151
INTRODUCTION
This guide shows equipment installers how to attach
mechanical equipment to a building to minimize
earthquake damage. Many attachment examples are
presented, to include anchoring and the use of special
devices called seismic restraint devices.
Seismic restraint devices include vibration isolation
systems, cable or strut suspension systems, roof
attachment systems, and steel shapes.
Please note that this guide does not replace:
column 1
Typical Equipment
Any box or cabinet
fan
column 2
How is equipment
to be installed?
Connected to
angles mounted to
floor
column 3
Attachment Type
Rigid with angles
Go to page 35
EQUIPMENT
Air Compressors
Be sure to refer to construction drawings
and specifications, seismic restraint
submittals, and manufacturers instructions.
How is Equipment to
be Install
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Vibration-isolated
Go to page 76
Figure 9: Self-contained
water-cooled unit (floormounted or raised floormounted).
Self-contained unit;
use manufacturers
base designed for
raised floor
Through-the-wall unit
or mini split
How is equipment to
be installed?
Mounted directly to
the floor
Connected to angles
mounted to the floor
Floor-mounted on
vibration isolators
using restrained
springs or open
springs and snubbers
Installed on a raised
floor
Roof-mounted on a
post and beam
Connected to a
manufactured
isolation curb on a
post or beam
Vibration isolated on
a post and beam
Directly connected to
a sheet metal curb
with nailer
Directly connected to
a wood roof curb
Suspended from
building structure
above with rods and
cables
Suspended from
building structure
above angles
Suspended from
building structure
above with isolators,
rods, and cables
Supported by the
structural wall
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Rigid with angles
Go to page 35
Vibration-isolated
Go to page 76
Raised floor
Go to page 42
Post and beam
Go to page 47
Isolation curb on a
post and beam
Go to page 57
Isolation springs on
a post and beam
Go to page 59
Pre-manufactured
curb
Go to page 50
Wood curb
Go to page 56
Rods and cables
Go to page 61
Suspended with
angles
Go to page 67
Isolator rods and
cables
Go to page 79
Wall-mounted with
angles
Go to page 88
Weight-limited rooftop
unit (see
manufacturers
literature)
How is equipment to
be installed?
Mounted directly to
the floor
Connected to angles
mounted to the floor
Suspended from
structure above with
rods and cables
Suspended from
structure above with
angles
Suspended from
structure above with
vibration isolation,
rods, and cables
Directly connected to
a sheet metal curb
with nailer
Directly connected to
a wood roof curb
Connected to a
manufactured
vibration isolation
curb on a post and
beam
Roof-mounted on a
post and beam
Vibration isolation on
a post and beam
Floor-mounted on
vibration isolation
using restrained
springs or open
springs and snubbers
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Rigid with angles
Go to page 35
Rods and cables
Go to page 61
Suspended with
angles
Go to page 67
Isolator rods and
cables
Go to page 69
Pre-manufactured
curb
Go to page 50
Wood curb
Go to page 56
Isolation curb on a
post and beam
Go to page 57
Post and beam
Go to page 47
Isolation springs on
a post and beam
Go to page 59
Vibration-isolated
Go to page 76
Air Separators
How is equipment
to be installed?
Connected to
angles mounted to
the floor
Suspended from
the structure
above with rods
and cables
Any unit
Suspended from
the structure
above with angles
Supported from
the wall with
angles
Table 4: Air separator installation types.
10
Attachment Type
Rigid with angles
Go to page 31
Rods and cables
Go to page 52
Suspended with
angles
Go to page 57
Wall-mounted
with angles
Go to page 74
11
How is equipment
to be installed?
Mounted directly to
the floor
Connected to
angles mounted to
the floor
Furnace supported
and restrained by
rigid ductwork
connections
Strapped to the
wall
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Rigid with angles
Go to page 35
Strap down
similar to water
heater
Go to page 89
Residential water
Wall-mounted
heater
with straps
Go to page 89
Humidifier
Mounted directly to Wall-mounted
the wall
Go to page 87
Table 5: Boiler, furnace, humidifier, and water heater
installation types.
12
Chillers
Be sure to refer to construction drawings
and specifications, seismic restraint
submittals, and manufacturers instructions.
13
Any chiller
Roof-mounted unit
How is equipment to
be installed?
Mounted directly to
the floor or concrete
pad
Floor-mounted
vibration isolation
using restrained
springs or open
springs and snubbers
Roof-mounted on a
post and beam
Vibration isolation on
a post and beam
14
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 32
Vibration-isolated
Go to page 76
15
Typical Equipment
Heat exchangers1
Duct mounted coil
A-coil
How is equipment to be
installed?
Mounted directly to the
floor or concrete pad
Suspended from the
building structure above
with angles
Sheet metal screws to
furnace and sheet metal
ducts
Attachment
Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Suspended
with angles
Go to page 67
N/A
1
This guide does not address structural frames required to
elevate the heat exchanger above the floor.
16
17
Any condensing or
condenser unit
Roof-mounted unit
How is equipment to
be installed?
Mounted directly to
the floor or concrete
pad
Floor-mounted
vibration isolation
using restrained
springs or open
springs and snubbers
Roof-mounted on a
post and beam
Connected to a
manufactured
vibration isolation
curb on a post and
beam
Directly connected to
a wood roof curb
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Vibration-isolated
Go to page 76
18
19
Evaporative cooler
Roof-mounted
evaporative cooler
How is Equipment
to be Install
Mounted directly to
floor or concrete
sump
Roof-mounted on a
post and beam
Vibration isolated
on a post and
beam
Floor-mounted
vibration isolation
using restrained
springs or open
springs and
snubbers
Connected to
angles mounted to
the floor
Directly connected
to a sheet metal
curb with nailer
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Post and beam
Go to page 47
Vibration-isolated
on a post and
beam
Go to page 59
Vibration-isolated
Go to page 76
20
Fans
Be sure to refer to construction drawings
and specifications, seismic restraint
submittals, and manufacturers instructions.
21
Rooftop fans
Propeller fans
How is equipment to
be installed?
Mounted directly to
floor
Connected to angles
mounted to the floor
Directly connected to
a sheet metal curb
with nailer
Directly connected to
a wood roof curb
Vibration isolation on
a post and beam
Vibration isolation
with guy wires
Suspended from the
building structure
above with rods and
cables
Suspended from the
building structure
above with angles
Suspended from the
building structure
above with isolators,
rods and cables
Floor-mounted
vibration isolation
using restrained
springs or open
springs and snubbers
Mounted directly to
the wall
Vibration isolation
from the building
structure
22
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Rigid with angles
Go to page 35
Pre-manufactured
curb
Go to page 50
Wood curb
Go to page 56
Vibration-isolated
on a post and
beam
Go to page 59
Rods and cables
Go to page 61
Suspended with
angles
Go to page 67
Isolator rods and
cables
Go to page 69
Vibration-isolated
Go to page 76
Wall-mounted
Go to page 87
Vibration-isolated
off the wall
Go to page 92
Heaters
Be sure to refer to construction drawings
and specifications, seismic restraint
submittals, and manufacturers instructions.
Step 1: Identify equipment
23
Typical Equipment
How is equipment
to be installed?
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with rods and
cables
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with angles
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with isolators,
rods, and cables
Supported off the
wall with a bracket
Suspended from
the building
structure with two
rods and cables
24
Attachment Type
Rods and cables
Go to page 61
Suspended with
angles
Go to page 67
Isolator rods and
cables
Go to page 69
Wall-mounted
with angles
Go to page 89
Double rods and
cables
Go to page 74
Pumps
Be sure to refer to construction drawings
and specifications, seismic restraint
submittals, and manufacturers instructions.
Step 1: Identify equipment
25
Typical Equipment
Base-mounted pump
including end-suction
pump and vertical
pump
Base-mounted pump
including end-suction
pump
In-line or close
coupled pumps
How is equipment
to be installed?
Mounted directly to
floor
Connected to
angles mounted to
the floor
Floor-mounted
vibration isolation
using restrained
springs or open
springs and
snubbers
Supported off the
floor with a steel
angle
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with rods and
cables
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with angles
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with isolators, rods
and cables
Mounted directly to
the wall
Supported off the
wall with an angle
bracket
26
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Rigid with angles
Go to page 35
Vibrationisolated
Go to page 76
Suspended with
angles
Go to page 67
Isolator rods and
cables
Go to page 69
Wall-mounted
Go to page 87
Wall-mounted
with angles
Go to page 89
27
Typical
Equipment1
Tanks with
attachment stands,
legs, or brackets
Tanks with rolled
steel plate bases
Tanks less than 4
feet in diameter with
a flat bottom or gas
cylinders
Tanks less than 2
feet in diameter
How is equipment
to be installed?
Mounted directly to
the floor
Attachment Type
Rigid
Go to page 31
Connected to
angles mounted to
the floor
Tanks built into a
plate and frame
Attached to the
wall with straps
Wall-mounted
with angles or
straps
Go to page 89
1
This guide does not address structural frames required to
elevate tanks.
Table 13: Tank installation types.
28
29
How is Equipment to
be Install
Fan-coil units
Typical Equipment
Attachment Type
Mounted directly to
floor
Connected to
angles mounted to
the floor
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with rods and
cables
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with angles
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with isolators, rods
and cables
Suspended from
the building
structure above
with two
attachment angles
Rigid
Go to page 31
Rigid with angles
Go to page 35
Rods and cables
Go to page 61
Suspended with
angles
Go to page 67
Isolator rods and
cables
Go to page 69
Suspended with
two angles
Go to page 74
Table 14: VAV box (terminal unit), duct silencer, and fan-coil unit
installation types.
30
ATTACHMENT TYPES
This section gives instructions on attaching equipment in
many different arrangements. These attachment types
are:
Rigid Floor-mounted/Pad-mounted (this page).
Rigid Floor-mounted/Pad-mounted
Attachment
The six ways to rigidly attach equipment to a floor are:
31
32
Make a template.
33
34
35
36
37
38
Make a template.
39
40
41
Make a template.
42
43
44
Make a template.
45
Make a template.
46
Roof-mounted Attachment
The five ways to rigidly attach equipment to a roof are:
47
48
49
END OF ATTACHMENT.
To seismic built-up or seismic pre-manufactured curb
50
51
52
53
54
55
To a wood frame
Step 1: Attach wood frame to building structure
Figure 90 (below) shows a typical wood frame
attachment.
Step 2: Install Flashing
Figure 90 (below) shows typical flashing.
Use contract documents for flashing details.
Step 3: Attach equipment to the wood frame
Attach equipment directly to the wood frame as shown
below. Wood frames can restrain equipment with internal
frames or with support legs as shown.
56
57
58
59
60
Suspended Attachment
The four ways to suspend equipment are by:
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
Vibration-isolated Floor-mounted
Attachment
Vibration isolation uses springs in many different shapes
to isolate equipment vibrations from the building
structure. Their shapes are open (see Figure 113 below
left), housed (see Figure 113 below right), and restrained
(see Figure 114, page 77).
!
!
76
77
78
Make a template.
79
80
81
82
Make a template.
83
84
85
END OF ATTACHMENT.
86
Wall-mounted Attachment
The four types of wall mounting are:
87
Make a template.
88
89
90
91
92
Make a template.
93
Anchors
General Anchors
IMPORTANT: Installation methods depend on
the type of anchor and the particular
application. Always follow the anchor
manufacturers installation instructions.
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
Cast-in-place Anchors
Cast-in-place anchors are embedded in the concrete when
the floors or walls are poured. Bolts are firmly held in
place while the concrete is poured to maintain proper
alignment and position. The size and location of the
anchors can be determined from construction drawings.
Step 1: Move the equipment into place and attach
the bolts
101
Lags Bolts
Lag bolts are used to attach equipment or steel shapes to
wood structures. The size and location of the anchors can
be determined from construction drawings (see Figure
140, below).
102
103
Masonry Anchors
Step 1: Determine the type of anchor
104
105
106
107
108
Concrete screw
Drill bits may be specifically sized for each manufacturer,
and typically are smaller diameter than nominal or
fractional diameter of a screw. Install a concrete screw
with a rotary drill and bolt the head attachment.
Toggle bolt
Hold the toggle flat alongside the plastic straps and slide
the channel through the hole. Slide the holding ring
toward the wall until the channel is flush with the wall.
Cut off the straps at the holding ring. Insert the bolt with
a rotary drill over the bracket or equipment mounting.
109
110
111
112
Additional
tightening
1/3 turn
1/2 turn
5/6 turn
113
Step 1: Preparation
Determine the threaded rod size from
construction drawings or printed instructions
supplied by the manufacturer.
The three different ways to attach the threaded rod are
shown in Figure 148 (below).
Step 2: Attach the top connection of the threaded rod
114
115
Welding
Before welding, refer to construction
drawings and specifications, seismic
restraint submittals, and manufacturers
instructions.
Attaching equipment to embedded plates: Plates are
embedded in the concrete during the floor or wall pour.
Plates are firmly held in place while the concrete is poured
to maintain proper alignment and position. The size and
location of the plate can be determined from construction
drawings. See Figure 149 (below) for weld locations.
116
WPS for shop and field pre-qualified weld joints and weld
joints qualified by test must be prepared for review and
approval before fabrication. All welding procedure items
such as base metals, welding processes, filler metals
and joint details that meet the requirements of AWS
D1.1 Section 5.1 will be considered as prequalified. Any
change or substitution that is beyond the range or
tolerance or requirements for pre-qualification will be
qualified by test pre-AWS D1.1 Section 5 part B.
117
Special Cases:
Cables
The three ways to assemble a cable connection are by
using:
118
119
Ferrule clamps
Ferrule clamps may be connected to various types of
attachments. Figures 152 (below) and Figure 153 (page
121) show attachments and identify the parts ferrules or
sleeve and thimbles used in the assembly.
Ferrules must be qualified by testing for use
in seismic applications.
120
121
Step 1: Install brackets with mounting holes, eyebolts, or drill mounting holes
Step 2: Cut cable to the desired length and slide
three wire rope grips and thimbles onto the cable
Step 3: Pass the cable through the mounting bolt or
holes provided and then back through each of the
wire rope grips
Use thimbles for all cable installations with
wire rope grips.
122
123
DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN.
Control Panels
Control panels may be built into units, mounted in a
separate electrical panel attached to equipment
assemblies, or mounted as a separate electrical panel
attached to the building structure.
Be sure to refer to construction drawings and
specifications, seismic restraint submittals,
and the manufacturers instructions.
If an electrical panel is mounted separately
from the unit and the unit is vibration-isolated,
use flexible electrical connections to allow for
differential movement.
Step 1: Select control panel support configuration
If the control panel is:
124
125
126
127
128
Housekeeping Pads
Be sure to refer to contract drawings,
specifications and the manufacturers
instructions.
The construction of housekeeping pads is shown below.
129
130
131
132
Residential Equipment
Mechanical equipment in residential applications should be
rigidly attached to the building structure or concrete pad.
The types of equipment used for residential HVAC include:
Water heater
Furnace
Condensing unit with an indoor A-coil attached to a
furnace
Furnace
A furnace may be bolted to the residential structure with
straps and/or restrained at the bottom with bumpers.
Straps may be attached to the residential structure in a
manner similar to that of water heaters.
To use bumpers, see Figure 77 (page 40). To use straps
see Figure 127 (page 91). Bumpers may be constructed
using wood studs for furnaces inside a raised closet.
For gas furnaces below 100,000 BTUH, use flexible pipe to
attach the furnace to the gas piping.
Condensing unit
A condensing unit may be bolted to a concrete pad
outside and next to the residential structure or mounted
on the roof of the structure.
133
A-coil
An A-coil may be attached on top of a furnace with sheet
metal screws.
Through-the-wall air conditioner
An air conditioner should be attached to the residential
structure. Some air conditioners have brackets used to
directly attach the unit to the structure using lag bolts. A
bracket support may be provided as shown in Figure 125
(page 89).
134
Threaded Studs
Drive Pins
Warning
135
Description
Adhesive
Warning
Capsule Spin-In
Capsule Hammer-in
136
Adhesive (cont.)
Epoxy
Description
Warning
Acrylic Adhesive
Adhesive Undercut
Anchors
Used in heavy-duty
applications where substrate is
of poor quality.
137
Externally Threaded
Description
Warning
Wedge Anchor
Used in heavy-duty
applications. Typically two
types: self-undercutting and
adhesives.
Self-undercutting types use a
special undercutting drill bit
are similar to heavy-duty
sleeve anchors except they fill
a cavity greater than the initial
hole diameter.
The most common concrete
anchor for heavy- to light- duty
applications. Many
configurations are available for
most applications. Made from a
variety of materials.
138
Description
Warning
Sleeve Anchor
Medium-duty expansion
anchor. The anchor is correctly
installed when the pin is
completely inserted.
Installation procedures are
simple; no torque is required
to set the anchor.
Universal anchor for light- to
medium-duty applications.
Multiple head designs fit many
applications and can be
installed in masonry.
139
Internally Threaded
Description
Warning
Internally Threaded
Undercut Anchor
Shell Anchor
Others
Used in heavy-duty
applications. Typically come in
two types: self-undercutting
and those using a specialized
undercutting drill bit. Anchors
have internal threads. Shallow
embedment and small edge
distances and spacing are
possible.
Flush-mount or sub-surface
internally threaded anchor for
medium- to light-duty
applications. Comes in
fractional and metric sizes and
is available in a variety of
materials.
Similar to the wedge concrete
anchor and used in heavy- to
light-duty applications. Many
configurations are available to
fit most applications. Made
from a variety of materials.
140
Description
Concrete Screws
Medium- to Light-Duty
141
Warning
DO NOT USE
FOR SEISMIC
RESTRAINT
DO NOT USE
FOR SEISMIC
RESTRAINT
Toggle or Molly-type
Anchors
142
Warning
DO NOT USE
FOR SEISMIC
RESTRAINT
GLOSSARY
A Adhesive anchor An anchor designed to bond
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
INDEX
A-coil 15-16,133-134
air compressor 4-5
air conditioning unit 6-7, 42, 134
air handling unit 8-9
air separator 10, 44
anchor 94-117
adhesive 98, 99, 107, 108-110, 136-137, 143
cast-in-place 62, 79, 101, 144
concrete screw 106, 109, 141
embedded plates 35, 38, 116
externally threaded 138-139
general 94
inserting 98-99
internally threaded 140
lag bolts 102, 103, 133, 134
light-duty fastenings 141-142
masonry 89, 92, 104
non-adhesive 95
post-installed 62, 94
powder-actuated 135
shell 99, 140
sleeve 98, 138-139
steel bolt 111-115
through-bolt 106
toggle bolt 109
umbrella 108, 109
undercut 96, 97, 99
wedge 79, 83, 96, 98, 138
welding 116-117
anchor selection guide 135-142
angle 35-39, 45, 67-69, 72-73, 89-91, 124-126
151
152
isolation 57-58
pre-manufactured 50-55
curing 99, 107, 136-137
dowel 131
duct-mounted coil 15-16, 72
duct silencer 29-30
ductwork 12, 35, 39, 43, 85, 88, 92, 93, 143
embedment depth 96-97, 103, 145
end-suction pump 26
equipment 4-30
less than 150 pounds 30, 44, 72
less than 400 pounds 44
setting/moving in place 34, 39, 40, 79, 83, 88, 99, 100,
101, 110, 112- 115, 140
typical 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18
evaporative cooler 19-20
fan 21-22
fan-coil unit 29-30
ferrule clamps 120, 122, 145
flashing 48-49, 54, 56, 57, 60, 145
floor-mounted 31-46, 76-86
fluid cooler 19-20
frame 45-46, 49-50, 56, 57, 59-60, 92, 93, 127, 128, 150
furnace 11-12
gap 100, 110
gas cylinder 27, 28, 45, 46, 87
grout 97, 100, 106, 110, 146
head joint105, 146
heater 23, 24, 74
heat exchanger 15-16
heat pump 6, 7
hole 95-98, 102-108, 112, 113, 119
153
154
155
156