November 2024

WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

ISOLITE

WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

Chalk Talk

External/Agency Requirements

Internal Design Requirements

Where is this Actually Required?

- Battery Security

- Inverter Mounting

- "Rack" Strength

WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

OVERVIEW

PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

DESIGN & TESTING

RESOURCES & SUPPORT

Relevant Products

Where to Look on the Cutsheets

Available Documentation

- And where do they actually       get used?

Product Requirements

- Exemptions

Testing Example

Traditional Products

Inverter Modifications

- Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (CA)

- International Code Council/International Building Code

There Are 2 Organizations Who Provide Standards Related Seismic-Rated Devices

EXTERNAL/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS

PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

ISOLITE

WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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These standards are required in certain jurisdictions and in certain building types

- California Healthcare Facilities are the most obvious requirement

These standards mostly mandate that devices (at least) remain functional through an earthquake. Continued operation is not always required.

We often have "Seismic" additions for products that don't require It

To the extent possible, we build in the seismic resistance

INTERNAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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- Obviously cost and aesthetics temper this desire

We Like For Our Products to Outperform the Standards

Ordering Information

1. SERIES

E3MINI

2. VA RATING

125   125VA

250   250VA

375   375VA

550   550VA

3. BATTERY TYPE

LC   Lead Calcium

4. MOUNTING

MB   Back Mount

MCG   Ceiling Grid

LC

8. OPTIONS

FD   3 Zone 0-10V/DALI Dimming & Fire Alarm Interface

RT   Remote Diagnostic Status Display Panel for Back Mount Inverters

AA   Audible Alarm (Buzzer)

CL   Canada Listed

EB   Extended Run Time (2h)

Z4   Seismic Zone 4 Restraints

- And probably in most privately funded ones, too

Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development

WHERE IS THIS REQUIRED

PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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California

Healthcare Facilities

Used more generally as the requirement for most publicly funded buildings in California

Used in specifications generated from California

Really, many things attached to California end up requiring OSHPD approval

The earthquake map you see is just the last 30 days...

As buildings get larger, they also shake more...

Jurisdictions which standardize on IBC codes, also require seismic ratings on products

AND WHERE DOES IT GET USED

PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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Earthquakes happen everywhere...

It's not quite "best practice" to always specify the seismic products, but it is "belt and suspenders"

- Even our specification grade/architectural pendants

Seismic Discussions Mostly Focus on Inverters, But There Are Additional Requirements For Traditional Products

PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS

DESIGN & TESTING

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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For exit signs and emergency lights we "overbuild" the mounting mechanisms so that the attachment points aren't vulnerable to shaking

Internal batteries and transformers are always hard-fixed to the product body instead of floating

Pendants are capable of swinging a full 90º

For "smaller" products, these mechanisms are standard and inherent to the design

Inverters Require More Thought, However...

INVERTER MODIFICATIONS

DESIGN & TESTING

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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- If 3 tons, tips over, bad things happen...

- Seismic inverters ship with special brackets to hold them to the ground

Inverters have large, heavy batteries sitting on shelves

- If 100 lb batteries start flopping around, bad things happen...

- Seismic inverters ship with battery brackets to secure them the                 structure of the cabinet

Inverters have latched doors

- If the latch shakes loose and the door falls off, bad things happen...

- Seismic inverters ship with keyed latches to secure the door

Keyed Lock

Inverters are heavy, 33kVA is more than 3 tons

Seismic Feet

1. Project specific approval, stamped by a seismic engineer.  

OSHPD Is The Standard, But There Are 2 Ways To Get Approval For Use On a Project

TESTING REQUIREMENTS

DESIGN & TESTING

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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Construction/design team provides detailed mounting information and construction materials

This is a pain...

Seismic engineer approves the product for use in the specified building at the specified location

Product manufacturer provides detailed mechanical drawings of the product in question

OSHPD Is The Standard, But There Are 2 Ways To Get Approval For Use On a Project

TESTING REQUIREMENTS

DESIGN & TESTING

ISOLITE

WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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2. OSHPD pre-approval

Product manufacturer submits for testing of desired units and a desired seismic zone

Important Note: No approval or testing is required for products weighing less than 50 lbs

Third party lab shakes the products in a way that would make a real

earthquake jealous

Seismic engineer review the results of the shake-test

Product is approved for all installations in the prescribed seismic zone (or less)

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

Chalk Talk

Remember, products under 50 lbs. are exempt from testing, so no modifications are required for traditional products.

PRODUCT WITH SEISMIC RATINGS

DESIGN & TESTING

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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All E3MAX Inverters

All E3MAC Inverters

All E3 Inverters

All Wall Mount E3MINI Inverters (even though the small ones are exempt)

- The T-Bar Unit doesn't stand a chance

All specification grade exits and emergency lights with pendants use swivels as standard

E3MAC

E3MAX

E3

NEW!

- Specs Sheets & Drawings

 

 

Available on the Website

- Training Video Link

- Sales Presentation PDF

- Sell Sheet & Marketing Assets

Available Within Follow-Up Sales Packet

SALES MATERIALS

SUPPORT

ISOLITE

WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE?

SUPPORT

- Schedule a Webinar for Advanced Sales & Engineering Training

Team of Experts

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WHY SEISMIC TESTING IS IMPORTANT

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For Additional Training, Please Contact Your

Local Sales Representative

THANK YOU