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The Wagner Review
|
Spring 2015
20
WAGNER POWER SYSTEMS
O
n January 7, 2015, Caterpillar Inc. announced
that the company has extended the company’s
range of Cat diesel generator sets for North
America that have been certified to meet the
seismic provisions of all published editions of the
International Building Code (IBC). Caterpillar now
offers the widest range and deepest selection of
diesel generators sets with IBC certifications and
OSHPD seismic preapproval, including the only 4
MW diesel generator set on the market today that
has earned both designations.
To date, Caterpillar has received certifications
for a total of 20 models of 60-Hz Cat diesel
generator sets ranging from 36 kW to 4 MW,
and 11 models of 50-Hz generator sets from 910
kVA to 4 MVA. Every one of these generator
sets is certified to the maximum short period
design spectral response acceleration value
(SDS) for at-grade and above-grade installations
recognized by IBC, matching or exceeding the
seismic performance of any other generator set
manufacturer.
The enclosed models of C27 and C32 generator
sets have also received IBC certification up to a
120-mph wind load.
Additionally, Caterpillar has secured Special
Seismic Certification Preapproval (OSP) from the
California Office of Statewide Health Planning
and Development (OSHPD) for 19 models of 60-Hz
diesel generator sets rated from 36 kW to 4 MW.
Select Cat components for emergency power
systems, including low- and medium-voltage
paralleling switchgear and automatic transfer
switches, meet the IBC’s seismic provisions
and have received Special Seismic Certification
Preapproval from OSHPD.
“In a natural disaster, backup power is
critical for administering emergency services as
well as helping communities, enterprises, and
homeowners return to prosperity,” said Jaime
Mineart, engineering manager for electric power
products at Caterpillar. “Power solutions from
Caterpillar are Built For It™, with advanced
engineering that delivers superior durability and
performance under the harshest conditions in the
world. These certifications validate our solutions’
proven ability to work when you absolutely need
them.”
To fulfill the requirements for IBC certification
and OSHPD preapproval, independent shake
table testing on Cat power generation equipment
was performed by structural engineers working
in conjunction with the firm of Tobolski Watkins
Engineering, Inc. at the U.S. Army Construction
Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in
Champaign, Ill.
The International Code Council (ICC) publishes
the IBC as part of a mission to develop a single
set of national model construction codes that
specifically address the design and installation of
building systems – including emergency power
systems – with an emphasis on performance.
To obtain IBC certification, an independent
agency must review and certify products, deeming
them capable of withstanding a given seismic
force or wind load. All 50 states, Washington,
D.C. and Puerto Rico have adopted a version of
the code, and the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)
for U.S. military departments, defense agencies,
and Department of Defense field activities is also
based on the IBC. While IBC seismic certifications
are primarily required in North America, an
increasing number of regulatory agencies outside
North America conform to these standards.
With Special Seismic Certification Preapproval
from OSHPD, power solutions and other critical
equipment may be installed by hospitals and other
critical care facilities in California without the
need to perform state-mandated shake testing
on the actual units delivered, reducing the time
needed for installation and commissioning. To
receive Special Seismic Certification Preapproval,
manufacturers of generator sets must submit
documentation that shows the equipment has
passed a shake test in accordance with ICC-ES
AC-156, meeting seismic requirements for an
earthquake.
Caterpillar is a leader in the power generation
marketplace with power systems engineered to
deliver unmatched durability, reliability and value.
The company offers worldwide product support,
with parts and service available globally through
the Cat authorized service and dealer network. In
addition, dealer service technicians are trained to
service every aspect of Cat equipment.
Caterpillar Expands Range of Diesel Generator Sets
Meeting IBC, OSHPD Seismic Requirements
Certifications now encompass
Cat
®
power solutions from
36 kW to 4 MW