Protect Your Property: Anchor Equipment Properly
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What You Can Do
Protecting your business from earthquakes can involve a variety of actions,
from inspecting and maintaining your buildings to installing protective
devices. Most of these actions, especially those that affect the structure of
your buildings or their utility systems, should be carried out by qualified
maintenance staff or professional contractors licensed to work in your state,
county, or city. One example of earthquake protection is properly anchoring
heavy equipment.
Anchor Equipment Properly
To control the vibrations created by heavy equipment, many businesses install
such equipment on spring-loaded platforms or mounts, known as vibration
isolators. Isolators are designed to absorb the vibrations created by the
normal operation of the equipment, but not the excessive movement that can
occur during an earthquake. Earthquake forces, coupled with the weight of the
equipment, can stretch the isolator springs beyond their ability to rebound. As
a result, the isolators can fail, equipment can be overturned, utility line
connections can be broken, and workers may be injured.
In earthquake hazard areas, anchoring equipment directly to the floor or
another suitable part of the building is preferable to mounting equipment on
vibration isolators. If isolators are used, they should be securely anchored
and they should be equipped with snubbers. Snubbers allow small motions
resulting from normal operation of the equipment but prevent the equipment from
moving beyond the limits of the springs during earthquakes.
Tips
Keep these points in mind when you anchor heavy equipment:
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The multipurpose isolator system shown on the PDF version of this page is designed to absorb
equipment vibrations resulting from normal operations and to prevent excessive
motion during an earthquake. Systems of this type can be used for newly
installed equipment and as replacements for existing isolator systems that do
not include snubbers or other restraints.
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Equipment mounted on vibration isolators must be able to move freely. Be sure
to use flexible connections wherever utility lines, piping, and ductwork are
attached to the equipment.
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Before anchoring equipment to floors or walls, make sure they are strong enough
to resist earthquake forces.
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Tall pieces of equipment with narrow bases are more likely to overturn during
earthquakes and will therefore need additional anchoring.
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Equipment suspended from the ceiling must also be braced to resist earthquake
forces.
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The equipment manufacturer or dealer may be able to provide or recommend
mounting methods and hardware for use in earthquake hazard areas.
Estimated Costs
The cost of anchoring a piece of heavy equipment will depend on its size,
weight, location, and operation; the type and number of utility lines connected
to it; and the anchoring method used - rigid connectors or vibration isolators.
Other Sources of Information
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Seismic Retrofit Training for Building Contractors and Building Inspectors:
Participant Handbook, FEMA, 1995
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Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide,
FEMA-74, 1994
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Protecting Your Home and Business from Nonstructural Earthquake Damage, FEMA,
1994
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National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Handbook for the Seismic
Evaluation of Existing Buildings, FEMA 178, 1992
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National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Handbook for the Seismic
Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings, FEMA 172, 1992