Caterpillar Inc. has 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 11 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 (S_DS) 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 11 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.