Seismic Design and Evaluation of Equipment and Distribution Systems

DOE-HDBK-1129-99

The approach in the DOE policy consists of placing each SSC into a PC based on its function, its

importance to safety, and the quantity and type of material involved, if any. DOE-STD-1021-93,

Change Notice 1 provides guidance for categorizing SSCs. Background material used in the

development of DOE-STD-1021-93 can be found in UCRL-ID-112612. The Standard provides

useful dose information for radiological materials and toxic chemicals. Additional information that

is useful in determining categorization results from accident analyses, information from a safety

analysis report, and information in support of DOE-STD-3009. An equipment list will be developed

with the PC for each SSC identified.

DOE policy invokes DOE-STD-1022-94, Change Notice 1, "Natural Phenomena Hazards

Characterization Guide," and DOE-STD-1023-95, Change Notice 1, "Natural Phenomena Hazards

Assessment Criteria," if any SSC is categorized as a PC3 or PC4. These Standards define

acceptable procedures to determine levels of the natural phenomena hazards at the site for use in

design or evaluation. If only PC2 or lower SSCs exist at the site, then Uniform Building Code

(UBC) design values are acceptable. However, site-specific values are always preferable if they

are available.

Design and evaluation criteria are provided in DOE-STD-1020-94, Change Notice 1. This

handbook provides an acceptable approach for the design and evaluation of SSCs in PCs 1, 2, 3,

and 4. The design basis earthquake and wind can be developed from the available natural

phenomena hazard description, either site specific or from the UBC. A table of representative

seismic and wind design values for most DOE sites is contained in DOE-STD-1020-94, Change

Notice 1. Use of the values in DOE-STD-1020-94, Change Notice 1 must be justified for the site.

DOE-STD-1020-94, Change Notice 1 also discusses the 5 percent damped in-structure response

spectra, which is used for the design and evaluation of equipment. These spectra must be

developed from the description of the ground motion and the facility characteristics.

The user should review these standards, the appendices in the standards, and the references

listed below and be aware of the type of information provided therein. DOE has conducted training

on the use of the design and evaluation standard since 1989, and copies of the training material

are also available.

5.7.2 Seismic Design and Evaluation of Equipment and Distribution Systems

In the event of an earthquake, DOE facilities need to have adequate measures for the protection of

the public, workers, environment, and investment. Due to the evolutionary nature of design and

operating requirements as well as developments in engineering technology, existing DOE facilities

embody a broad spectrum of design features for earthquake resistance. These features depend

on factors such as vintage of the facility design and construction and hardware supplier practices

at the time of design and construction. The earliest vintage facilities often have the least design

consideration for seismic-induced forces and displacements and exhibit the greatest difference

between their design basis and current requirements for seismic design criteria for new facilities.

DOE has developed a Seismic Evaluation Procedure (SEP) to summarize a technical approach

and provide generic procedures and documentation requirements, which can be used at DOE

facilities to evaluate the seismic adequacy of equipment and distribution systems.

The SEP is intended to provide DOE facility managers, safety professionals, and engineers with a

practical procedure for evaluating the seismic adequacy of equipment. Often the approach used to

review the seismic capacity of equipment in facilities is to conduct sophisticated evaluations, which

can be very time consuming, complex, and costly. Much of the available funding and time can be

spent on analysis rather than on the real objective of increasing the seismic capacity of the