TECHNICAL ARTICLE

How IBC-2009 seismic and wind loading standards

apply to emergency standby power systems
Understanding provisions in the latest edition of the International Building Code is critical for specifying emergency
standby power systems that will continue to operate after events such as an earthquake or a hurricane.

The International Building Code (IBC) is a comprehensive set of building

standards that was first proposed in 1997 by the International Code
Council (ICC) and adopted in 2000. The IBC sought to harmonize the many
national, state and local codes that govern the design of structures in
an effort to eliminate duplicative or conflicting standards and, therefore,
make compliance more uniform.

By The IBC has been updated on a three-year cycle; facilities that are classified as Occupancy
Dwight Wells
the latest version is IBC-2009. Currently, all 50 Category IV in Table 1:
Product Manager
MTU Onsite Energy
states and the District of Columbia have adopted
Mankato, MN version IBC-2000, IBC-2003, IBC-2006 // Hospitals
with surgical or emergency
or IBC-2009 as their de facto building code. treatment facilities
// Fire, rescue, ambulance and police stations
While the main focus of the IBC is structural
// Designated public storm shelters
integrity and fire prevention, certain provisions
govern the certification and installation of // Emergency response centers
emergency standby power systems used in // Power-generating stations and public
locations that are seismically active or are subject
utilities
to high wind loading of up to 150 mph. Depending
// Structures with toxic or hazardous
on the classification of the structure and type
of occupancy, seismically certified emergency substances
standby power systems are required in order to // Aviationcontrol towers and air traffic
ensure power after a catastrophic event, such as control centers
an earthquake or hurricane.
// Facilities
involved in critical national
defense functions
The primary need for electrical power after such
an event is for various life-safety systems that // Waterstorage facilities required for fire
support building egress. These include emergency suppression
lighting, elevators, ventilating
systems, communication systems, Additionally, an emergency power system that
Seismically certified emergency standby power alarms, fire pumps and other continues to operate following a seismic event
systems are required in order to ensure power systems involved in protecting plays a positive role in business continuity,
life-safety. At a minimum, IBC allowing the proper shutdown of manufacturing
after a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake certification and installation details processes or the preservation of computer data
or hurricane. are required in seismically active both of which help reduce financial risk.
locations for the following essential

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02/ // / IBC Seismic/Wind Loading Compliance

OCCUPANCY Deciding when to specify a

OCCUPANCY CATEGORY OF BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES
CATEGORY seismic power system
I Buildings and other structures that represent a low hazard to human life in the event of
failure, including but not limited to: Not every area of the U.S. or type of structure
is required to have a seismically certified
Agricultural facilities
emergency power system. According to the IBC,
Certain temporary facilities
Minor storage facilities a seismically certified emergency power system
is only required in locations and structures that
II Buildings and other structures except those listed in Occupancy Categories I, III and IV meet certain criteria. Figure 1 shows the areas in
the country that are seismically active and where
III Buildings and other structures that represent a substantial hazard to human life in the
seismic design must be considered. The criteria
event of failure, including but not limited to:
include importance factor (IP), building occupancy
Buildings and other structures whose primary occupancy is public assembly with an category, site soil class and spectral response
occupant load greater than 300
acceleration.
Buildings and other structures containing elementary school or day-care facilities with
an occupant load greater than 250
Buildings and other structures containing adult education facilities, such as colleges // Importance Factor The IBC uses an
and universities, with an occupant load greater than 500 importance factor (IP) to designate whether an
Group 1-2 occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or more resident patients but not emergency standby power system is a critical
having surgery or emergency treatment facilities
or non-critical application. A non-critical
Group 1-3 occupancies
Any other occupancy with an occupant load greater than 5,000 application has an IP of 1.0, and a critical
Power-generating stations, water treatment facilities for potable water, wastewater application has an IP of 1.5 when any of the
treatment facilities and other public utility facilities not included in Occupancy Category IV following conditions apply:
Buildings and other structures not included in Occupancy Category IV containing
sufficient quantities of toxic or explosive substances to be dangerous to the public
if released
1. The emergency standby power system is
required to operate after an earthquake to
IV Buildings and other structures designed as essential facilities, including but not limited to: supply life-safety systems, such as egress
Group 1-2 occupants having surgery or emergency treatment facilities lighting or sprinkler systems.
Fire, rescue, ambulance and police stations, and emergency vehicle garages
Designated earthquake, hurricane or other emergency shelters 2. The structure contains hazardous materials.
Designated emergency preparedness, communications and operations centers and
other facilities required for emergency response
Power-generating stations and other public utility facilities required as emergency
3. The emergency standby power system
backup facilities for Occupancy Category IV structures is located in an Occupancy Category IV
Structures containing highly toxic materials as defined by Section 307 where quantity structure and its failure would prevent
of the material exceeds the maximum allowable quantities of Table 307.1 (2) continued operation of the facility.
Aviation control towers, air traffic control centers and emergency aircraft hangars.
Buildings and other structures having critical national defense functions
// Occupancy Category Table 1 shows the
Water storage facilities and pump structures required to maintain water pressure for
fire suppression occupancy categories of buildings and other
structures as listed in IBC-2009. Categories
Table 1. Structures are categorized based on their function and occupancy in accordance I-III do not normally require a seismically
with this table. Occupancy Categories III and IV always need to be considered for seismic certified emergency power system unless they
design in seismic zones.

Figure 1. A map of peak ground accelerations

(PGA) from the USGS. Areas marked with yellow,
red, orange and brown are where seismic design
must be considered. (PGA with 2% in 50-year PE.
BC rock. 2008 USGS)

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03/ // / IBC Seismic/Wind Loading Compliance

SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY BASED ON are located in a seismically active area with The following three critical parameters are the
SHORT-PERIOD RESPONSE ACCELERATIONS short-period response acceleration greater basis for determining whether a seismically
OCCUPANCY CATEGORY than 0.33g. See Table 2. However, all Category certified emergency power system is required:
VALUE OF SDS IV structures require such a system when the
I or II III IV
importance factor is 1.5 (i.e., essential) and SDS An SDS of 0.167g or greater
SDS < 0.167g A A A
is more than 0.167g. Occupancy Category IV
0.167g < SDS < 0.33g B B C Seismic design category of C, D, E or F
// Site Classification In any seismically active
0.33g < SDS < 0.50g C C D
zone, the potential for structural damage is Power system structure must
0.50g < SDS D D D influenced by the soil type. The least structural also resist wind loading
damage can be expected on solid rock (Site
Table 2. The seismic design category, A to D, is Class A), while the most structural damage The IBC also addresses wind loading and its effect
determined by the Occupancy Category and the
can be expected on loose, liquefiable soils (Site on the performance of an emergency standby
value of S DS at the building site.
Class F). See Table 3. power system. For those states that have adopted
IBC-2006 or IBC-2009, the building that houses
SITE CLASS DEFINITIONS // Short-Period the emergency standby power system must resist
Response Acceleration This is a
SITE number (SDS) derived from the expected ground any overturning forces caused by expected high
SOIL PROFILE NAME
CLASS movement forces (measured in g = acceleration winds, and the generator set must stay mounted
A Hard rock due to gravity) in seismically active locations to its foundation and be operable after the event.
as defined by the United States Geological Figure 2 shows the areas of the country where
B Rock high wind loading needs to be considered in
Survey (USGS). Refer to Figure 1. The higher
C Very dense soil and rock the number, the more severe are the seismic the design of structures that house emergency
forces acting upon a structure and its contents. standby power systems.
D Stiff soil profile
This number is used in conjunction with an
E Soft soil profile occupancy category to determine a seismic Seismic design responsibility
design category, A through D.
E Any profile with more than 10 feet of
soil with: According to the provisions in IBC-2009, the
1. Plasticity index > 20 entire design team is responsible for making
2. Moisture content > 40% sure an emergency standby power system stays
3. Un-drained shear strength < 500 psf online and functional after a seismic or high wind
F Any profile containing soils with: loading event. This group includes: emergency
1. Liquefiable soils; quick and highly Figure 2. A map of the U.S. showing
sensitive clays; collapsible, weakly areas where high wind loading may affect
cemented soils the design of structures used to house
2. Peats and/or highly organic clays emergency standby power systems. V mph (m/s)

3. Very high plasticity clays Special wind region

4. Very thick soft/medium stiff clays

90 (40)

Table 3. Because soil type greatly affects 100 (45)

how structures perform during seismic events,

110 (49)
each seismic zone building site needs to be 120 (54)
categorized in a Site Class from A to F.

120 (54)
110 (49)
100 (45)
90 (40)
130 (58) 130 (58)
140 (63)

90 (40)

130 (58)
100 (45)
110 (49) 130 (58)
130 (58) 120 (54) 140 (63) 140 (63)
150 (67) 150 (67)
130 (58) Location: V mph (m/s)
90 (40)
Hawaii 105 (47) 140 (63)
Puerto Rico 145 (65) 100 (45)
130 (58)
Guam 170 (76) 110 (49) 120 (54)
Virgin Islands 145 (65)
American Samoa 125 (56)

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04/ // / IBC Seismic/Wind Loading Compliance

standby power system manufacturers, suppliers, the registered design professional responsible
installers, design team managers, architects for the design of the designated seismic
and consulting engineers. Each has a critical system and for approval by the building
role to play in making sure that structural and official. Certification shall be based on
nonstructural components perform as designed. an actual test on a shake table, by three-
dimensional shock tests, by an analytical
IBC-2009 Section 1709.1 Contractor Responsibility method using dynamic characteristics and
states: forces, by the use of experience data (i.e.,
historical data demonstrating acceptable
Each contractor [i.e., all members of the seismic performance) or by more rigorous
design team listed above] responsible for the analysis providing for equivalent safety.
construction of a main wind- or seismic-force-
resisting system, designated seismic system or 2. Manufacturers certification of compliance
a wind- or seismic-resisting componentshall for the general design requirements of ASCE
submit a written statement of responsibility 7 Section 13.2.1 shall be based on analysis,
to the building official and the owner prior testing or experience data.
to the commencement of work on the system
or component. The contractors statement of An emergency standby power system consists of
responsibility shall contain acknowledgment a base, engine, alternator, fuel supply, transfer
of awareness of the special requirements switches, switchgear and controls. While the
contained in the statement of special engine generator set is naturally a robust
inspection. piece of equipment, designing for survival of a
seismic event focuses attention on the generator
set mounting to the foundation and external
Seismically certified emergency
attachments, such as fuel lines, exhaust and
power systems
electrical connections.
It falls to the emergency standby power system
manufacturer to provide a product that is certified To certify the components of an emergency
to withstand the typically expected seismic standby power system, the generator set and its
and high wind loading forces and to continue associated systems are subjected to a combination
operating after a seismic event has occurred. The of three-dimensional shake-table testing and
provision in IBC-2009, Section finite element analysis. The IBC requires that
1708.4 Seismic Certification of these tests be performed by an independent,
Nonstructural Components states: approved, third-party supplier that can issue a
seismic certificate of compliance when the tests
The registered design are successfully completed. Once a particular
professional [usually the generator set passes the seismic certification
architect, consulting engineer test, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to
or electrical contractor] shall label the equipment, indicating the seismic forces
state the applicable seismic to which the equipment was subjected. Figure 4
certification requirements for illustrates a typical label on a seismically certified
nonstructural components and generator set.
designated seismic systems on
the construction documents. Local regulations may be more stringent
While the general provisions of the IBC have been
Figure 4. A typical label on a seismically largely adopted as the de facto building code in
1. The manufacturer of each designated
certified generator set referencing the
seismic system component subject to the many states and localities, the project engineers
applicable IBC version and the upper seismic
loading limit, FP. provisions of ASCE 7 Section 13.2.2 shall test should consult with local jurisdictions to verify
or analyze the component and its mounting that all applicable local standards have been met.
system or anchorage and submit a certificate In California, for example, the Office of Statewide
of compliance for review and acceptance by Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) has

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05/ // / IBC Seismic/Wind Loading Compliance

set seismic standards for hospitals and health system manufacturer that offers seismically
care facilities in accordance with both the 2007 certified products, the structural design team can
California Building Code and IBC. While these be assured that it will have an emergency standby
local codes and recommended seismic testing power system that will perform as designed after
protocols are largely harmonized with IBC, a seismic or high wind loading event.
consultation with local authorities can reduce the
risk of installing a system which may ultimately About MTU Onsite Energy
prove to be non-compliant. MTU Onsite Energys standard emergency
standby generator sets are available with seismic
Conclusions certification and are suitable for applications in
While the IBC addresses all facets of structure the seismically active areas of the U.S. Its standby
design and construction in all 50 U.S. states, generator products have undergone extensive
it also addresses the performance of a number design analysis to enhance their survivability in
of nonstructural systems, such as emergency event of earthquakes, and they have been tested
standby power systems. The IBCs requirements and certified by an approved, independent testing
for emergency standby power systems are organization. Generator set enclosures have been
intended to ensure that structures within certain tested and certified to resist wind loading up to
occupancy categories will have emergency power 150 mph. All certified products are labeled in
after a catastrophic event, such as an earthquake accordance with IBC-2006 or IBC-2009.
Resources:
or hurricane. As such, it has set seismic design
1. To review or purchase a copy of IBC-2009,
and testing standards for the manufacturers of MTU Onsite Energy has undertaken to have its
go to: www.iccsafe.org. emergency standby power systems. products certified at the manufacturing level
2. For maps on earthquake zones and short- rather than leaving it up to its distributors
period response accelerations, go to the All members of a structures design team to manage on a case-by-case basis as is done
United States Geological Survey site:
emergency standby power system manufacturers, by some power system manufacturers. MTU
earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards.
3. To learn about independent seismic testing
suppliers, installers, design team managers, Onsite Energy believes that certification at the
and certification, visit The VMC Group site: architects and consulting engineers need to be manufacturing level leads to more uniform
www.vmc-kdc.com. aware of the seismic and wind loading provisions performance of the equipment in the field
within IBC for emergency standby power systems. and eliminates the likelihood that in-field
Power system manufacturers have undertaken modifications will be made to the power system
MTU Onsite Energy Corporation
advanced design and testing programs to during installation that will compromise its
A Rolls-Royce Power Systems Company
comply with the seismic provision within IBC seismic rating or survivability.
involving three-dimensional shake-table testing,
www.mtuonsiteenergy.com
finite engineering analysis and experience data.
Certified power systems are labeled as having
passed seismic testing by a qualified, independent
testing organization. By working with a power

MTU Onsite Energy is a brand of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. It provides

diesel and gas-based power system solutions: from mission-critical to standby
power to continuous power, heating and cooling. MTU Onsite Energy power
systems are based on diesel engines with up to 3,400 kilowatts (kW) power
output, gas engines up to 2,150 kW and gas turbines up to 50,000 kW.

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