The design and qualification requirements defined in building codes for active mechanical equipment to resist seismic forces are dependent on the desired level of earthquake safety.For the basic level of safety where the intent is to reduce the hazard to life posed by equipment becoming detached or toppling during an earthquake,the seismic design provisions focus on equipment sup-ports and attachments and the basis of qualification can either be by analysis,testing,or experience data.For the higher level of safety where equipment functionality is vital for the continued operation of critical facilities after earthquakes,the design provisions focus on the equipment itself,as well as the supports and attachments.The basis for qualification in this case is limited to shake-table testing or experience data.Due to the rarity of strong-motion earthquakes and the lack of substantiated seismic experience data for the current generation of equipment,shake-table testing becomes the most reliable method of qualifying equipment functionality.
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