Rounded Corners restraining mechanical equipment

Restraining Mechanical Equipment

Restraints are used to prevent equipment and systems from moving horizontally, vertically, or from turning over. The purpose of restraining is to prevent equipment from damaging itself (rendering it non-functional) or damaging adjacent systems that need to remain operational during an Extreme Event. The restraint or anchoring systems must provide a direct load path to the main structure of the building. In all cases, the use of gravity and friction are not acceptable forms of restraint.

Typical equipment includes fans, pumps, tanks, chillers, cooling towers, rooftop air handling equipment and boilers. 

 

ComponentDesign Considerations 
Indoor base mounted
equipment (pumps,
compressors, air
handling units, tanks, etc.)		Anchor equipment to housekeeping pads, keeping in mind anchor edge distance and anchor embedment depthindoor base mounted equipment
Ensure that housekeeping pads have been reinforced and positively attached to the building structure for the designed equipment’s seismic and overturning loads
Verify that housekeeping pads have adequate depth for anchor embedment
Establish that restraint brackets are adequately attached to the equipment
Vibration control products shall be seismically rated and should not affect the restraint system
Indoor Suspended equipment (fans, unit
heaters, filter, units,
etc.) 		Restrain to structure by using a cable or rigid restraint systemindoor suspended equipment
Confirm that hanger rods are sufficiently sized or reinforced for seismic up-lift loads
Vibration control products shall be seismically rated and should not affect the restraint system
Rooftop equipment
(rooftop units,
condensing units,
cooling towers, air
cooled chillers, etc.)		Curbs, sleepers or dunage steel should be positively attached to a structure in order to withstand seismic and wind loadsrooftop equipment
Ensure that curb or sleeper construction are both seismically and wind rated
Establish that equipment is positively attached and anchored to the curb, sleeper or dunage steel
Vibration control products shall be seismically rated and should not affect the restraint system