EV Charging Risk Category for Wind? 1

[RDR89]

Hi friends, wanted to get y'all's opinions on what risk category should be used for wind for EV chargers? There's no standard across where I work and I've seen Risk Category I and II used. I am torn because I do think they meet the requirements of RC I but I can also see RC II being applicable.

 

[EZBuilding]

Your client will want you to use whatever it takes to get the most economical design. Should a wind event damage the EV charger - their insurance company will hire an expert to say with high levels of confidence it should have been designed to the strictest standard possible.

I'd lean towards Risk Category 2, but if I went to RC 1 I'd want to have it agreed to in writing by the client. Hard to believe that the change from 1 to 2 would have a significant impact on the design of these elements.

 

[RDR89]

It doesn't significantly but it will affect design wind speed considerations in certain regions and we're trying to design standardized products for them to be used in certain regions, so from that aspect it will have some impact on what we offer and where

 

[SlideRuleEra]

To EV drivers, a charging station is just as important as a gas station to ICE (internal combustion engine) drivers. I would put both (EV charging and gas station) in the same risk category... whatever that is.

Edit: Gas stations are recommended for Risk Category II, per page 5 of this US National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) document.

The stated reason is because of importance of fuel supply to the community.

 

[jonev10]

Just an EIT here but I've done a fair amount of foundation engineering on signs (monument/wall/pole). We have always made monument signs RC 2. (though we are in florida and whatever we design will surely see a hurricane in its lifetime) If these are standardized products, I would certainly go with 2.