SECTION 26 05 48

SEISMIC PROTECTION FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1

REFERENCE:

The publications listed below form a part of this specification to the extent referenced. The
publications are referred to in the text by the basic designation only.
a. ASTM International (ASTM);
b. Underwriters Laboratories (UL);
c. Philippine Electrical Code (PEC).
1.2

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:

1.2.1
General Requirements: The requirements for seismic protection measures described in this
section shall be applied to the electrical equipment and systems listed below.
1.2.2
Electrical Equipment: Electrical equipment shall include the following items to the extent
required on the drawings or in other sections of these specifications:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.

Control Panels;
Air Handling Units;
Pumps with Motors;
Switchgear;
Light Fixtures;
Unit Substations;
Motor Control Centers (MCC);
Transformers;
Switchboards (Floor Mounted);
Storage Racks;
Solar Heating Units.

1.2.3
Electrical Systems: The following electrical systems shall be installed as required on the
drawings and other sections of these specifications and shall be seismically protected in accordance
with this specification:
a. Lighting System;
b. Power Distribution System;
c. Auxiliary Systems.
1.2.4
Contractor Designed Bracing: The Contractor shall design the bracing in accordance with
UFC 3-310-04 and additional data furnished by the Owner. Resistance to lateral forces induced by
earthquakes shall be accomplished without consideration of friction resulting from gravity loads.
UFC 3-310-04 uses parameters for the building, not for the equipment in the building; therefore,
corresponding adjustments to the formulas shall be required. Loadings determined using UFC 3310-04 is based on strength design; therefore, AISC 325 shall be used for the design. The bracing
for the following electrical equipment and systems shall be developed by the Contractor:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Lighting Fixtures;
Switchgears;
Switchboards (Floor Mounted);
Panelboards;

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e. Motor Control Centers;

f. Engine-Generators;
g. Transformers.
1.2.5
Conduits Requiring No Special Seismic Restraints: Seismic restraints may be omitted from
electrical conduit less than 64 mm (2-1/2 inches) trade size. All other interior conduits shall be
seismically protected as specified.
1.3

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1.3.1
Rigidly Mounted Equipment: The following equipments included under this contract shall
be constructed and assembled to withstand the seismic forces specified in UFC 3-310-04. Each item of
rigid electrical equipment shall be entirely located and rigidly attached on one side only of a building
expansion joint. Piping, electrical conduit, etc., which cross the expansion joint shall be provided with
flexible joints that are capable of accommodating displacements equal to the full width of the joint in
both orthogonal directions.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Engine-Generators;
Substations;
Transformers;
Switchboards and Switchgears;
Motor Control Centers;
Free standing Electric Motors.

1.3.2
Non-rigid or Flexibly-Mounted Equipment: The following specific items of equipment to
be furnished: [_____] shall be constructed and assembled to resist a horizontal lateral force of
[_____] times the operating weight of the equipment at the vertical center of gravity of the
equipment.
1.4

SUBMITTALS:

The submittals shall be accepted in accordance with the following requirements:

1.4.1
Shop Drawings: Detail drawings along with catalog cuts, templates, and erection and
installation details, as appropriate, for the items listed. Submittals shall be complete in detail; shall
indicate thickness, type, grade, class of metal, and dimensions; and shall show construction details,
reinforcement, anchorage, and installation with relation to the building construction.
a. Lighting Fixtures;
b. Equipment Requirements.
1.4.2
Product Data: Copies of the design calculations with the detail drawings. Calculations shall
be stamped by a registered engineer and shall verify the capability of structural members to which
bracing are attached for carrying the load from the brace.
a. Lighting Fixtures;
b. Equipment Requirements.
1.4.3
Contractor Designed Bracing: Copies of the Design Calculations with the Drawings.
Calculations shall be approved, certified, stamped and signed by a Registered Professional Engineer.
Calculations shall verify the capability of structural members to which bracing are attached for
carrying the load from the brace.

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PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1

LIGHTING FIXTURE SUPPORTS:

Lighting fixtures and supports shall conform to UL 1598.

2.2

SWAY BRACING MATERIALS:

Material used for members listed in this section and on the drawings, shall be structural steel
conforming to the following:
a. Plates, rods, and rolled shapes, [ASTM A 36/A 36M] [ASTM A 572/A 572M, Grade 503].
If the Contractor does the design, both ASTM A 36/A 36Mand ASTM A 572/A 572M,
grade 503 will be allowed;
b.Wire rope, ASTM A 603;
c. Tubes, ASTM A 500/A 500M, Grade B;
d.Pipes, ASTM A 53/A 53M, Type E or S, Grade B.
e. Light gauge angles, less than 6 mm (1/4 inch) thickness, ASTM A 653/A 653M.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1 SWAY BRACES FOR EQUIPMENT:
3.1.1
Suspended Equipment and Light Fixtures: Provide equipment sway bracing for items
supported from overhead floor or roof structural systems, including light fixtures. Braces shall consist
of angles, rods, wire rope, bars, or pipes arranged as shown and secured at both ends with not less
than 13 mm (1/2 inch) bolts. Provide sufficient braces for equipment to resist a horizontal force as
specified in UFC 3-310-04 without exceeding safe working stress of bracing components. Provide, for
approval, specific force calculations in accordance with UFC 3-310-04 for the equipment in the
project. Submit details of equipment bracing for acceptance. In lieu of bracing with vertical supports,
these items may be supported with hangers inclined at 45 degrees directed up and radially away from
equipment and oriented symmetrically in 90-degree intervals on the horizontal plane, bisecting the
angles of each corner of the equipment, provided that supporting members are properly sized to
support operating weight of equipment when hangers are inclined at a 45-degree angle.
3.1.2

Floor or Pad Mounted Equipment:

3.1.2.1 Shear Resistance: Bolt to the floor, floor mounted equipment. Requirements for the
number and installation of bolts to resist shear forces shall be in accordance with the following:
3.1.2.1.1 Cast-In-Place: Use cast-in-place anchor bolts, conforming to ASTM A 307, for floor or
pad mounted equipment, except as specified below. Provide [one nut] [two nuts] on each bolt. Anchor
bolts shall have an embedded straight length equal to at least 12 times nominal diameter of the bolt.
Anchor bolts that exceed the normal depth of equipment foundation piers or pads shall either extend
into concrete floor or the foundation or be increased in depth to accommodate bolt lengths.
3.1.2.1.2 Expansion or Chemically Bonded Anchors: Do not use expansion or chemically bonded
anchors:
a. Unless test data in accordance with ASTM E 488 has been provided to verify the
adequacy of the specific anchor and application;
b. To resist pull-out in overhead and wall installations if the adhesive is manufactured with
temperature sensitive epoxies and the location is accessible to a building fire. Install
expansion and chemically bonded anchors in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations. Adjust the allowable forces for the spacing between anchor bolts and

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the distance between the anchor bolt and the nearest edge, as specified by the
manufacturer.
3.1.2.2 Overturning Resistance: Use the ratio of the overturning moment from seismic forces to
the resisting moment due to gravity loads to determine if overturning forces need to be considered in
the sizing of anchor bolts. Provide calculations to verify the adequacy of the anchor bolts for combined
shear and overturning.
3.2 LIGHTING FIXTURES:
Lighting fixtures and supports shall conform to the following:
3.2.1

Pendant Fixtures: Pendant fixtures shall conform to the requirements of UFC 3-310-04.

3.2.2

Ceiling Attached Fixtures:

3.2.2.1 Recessed Fluorescent Fixtures: Recessed fluorescent individual or continuous-row

mounted fixtures shall be supported by a seismic-resistant suspended ceiling support system built in
accordance with ASTM E 580/E 580M. Seismic protection for the fixtures shall conform to the
requirements of UFC 3-310-04. Recessed lighting fixtures not over 25 kg (56 pounds) in weight may
be supported by and attached directly to the ceiling system runners using screws or bolts, number and
size as required by the seismic design. Fixture accessories, including louvers, diffusers, and lenses
shall have lock or screw attachments.
3.2.2.2 Surface-Mounted Fluorescent Fixtures: Surface-mounted fluorescent individual or
continuous-row fixtures shall be attached to a seismic-resistant ceiling support system built in
accordance with ASTM E 580/E 580M. Seismic protection for the fixtures shall conform to the
requirements of UFC 3-310-04.
3.2.3
Assembly Mounted on Outlet Box: A supporting assembly, that is intended to be mounted
on an outlet box, shall be designed to accommodate mounting features on 100 mm (4 inch) boxes,
plaster rings, and fixture studs.
3.2.4
Wall-Mounted Emergency Light Unit: Attachments for wall-mounted emergency light units
shall be designed and secured for the worst expected seismic disturbance at the site.
*** END OF SECTION ***

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