ATLANTA - The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has announced the publication of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 171-2008, Method of Testing Seismic Restraint Devices for HVAC&R Equipment, which provides manufacturers a standard way of testing such devices to prequalify products for earthquake-prone areas.

“This standard is a breakthrough for ASHRAE,” said James Tauby, chair of the committee that wrote the standard. “This new national standard moves testing from the West Coast to the entire United States.”

ASHRAE said it is the first national standard for seismic restraint testing of non-structural components that does not require shaker table testing, which is the required testing form in many California projects. Standard 171 provides static-test procedures for determining the capacity of seismic restraints for HVACR equipment. These test procedures determine the maximum force a restraint can withstand without breakage or permanent deformation.

Manufacturers of vibration isolators, seismic restraints and strut channels can use the standard to test their products’ suitability for standing up to earthquake conditions, and consulting engineers can use the standard as a reference in specifications.

The cost of Standard 171-2008 is $39 ($31, ASHRAE members).

To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), by mail at 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, or visit the ASHRAE online bookstore at www.ashrae.org.

Publication date: 09/22/2008