are structural calcs required for commercial HVAC in America

[tstructural]

I'm a structural engineer but am currently working with a manufacturing facility that produces commercial HVAC units. They've asked me to update their Structural Design Checklist for HVAC units in USA. I've come across some information that seems incorrect but don't want to delete it just in case I'm wrong.

FYI - We have pre-approved OSHPD units for high seismic but also sell units in low seismic areas. We provide units for the health care industry as well as others. We also sell to the VA sometimes.

The following are the items that I believe to be incorrect. If I'm wrong - please let me know and also tell me which building code I should be using:

1. if the occupancy importance factor (Ip) is 1.0 and the Seismic Design Category is A, B or C then no IBC certification is required.
2. analytical calculations are acceptable (meaning no testing - just hand or computer calculations) if the Ip = 1.0 and the Seismic Design Category is D, E or F.
3. analytical calculations are NOT acceptable (meaning we would have to test the units on a shake table) if the Ip=1.5 and the Seismic Design Category is C,D,E or F.

For item #1 above - wouldn't our products always have to meet IBC requirements regardless of it being in a low seismic region?
Item #2 and #3 together imply that High Importance (health care and high tech) always require shake table tested units if located in medium to high seismic regions. I've never heard of hand or computer generated calculations NOT being good enough for an IBC certified design.

 

[cry22]

tstructural

My two cents:

1. IBC certification? not aware of IBC certifying equipment.
2. Item #2 and #3 - healthcare and high tech or "high importance" (not just high tech) such as a control room in a prison - Requirements are needed for ALL seismic regions (not just medium and high) - we just did a prison in a low seismic zone and we were required to provide seismic bracing for high importance space equipment.

3. I cannot imagine IBC accepting your computer generated calculations as good enough - Authorities having jurisdictions (NOT IBC) typically required listed equipment (such as UL), not calculations.