Approval Process
VMC Group follows the rigorous and proven IBC®/HCAI Signature Methodology™ process on each component submitted which includes development of component matrices, preliminary structural analysis to determine the test plan, in-depth structural analysis and mathematical modeling and shake table testing to quantify performance and the equipment’s ability to meet or exceed compliance parameters.
IBC/HCAI SIGNATURE METHODOLOGY
Project Management and Execution for VMA Number Applicants
1 PROJECT KICKOFF
Key Elements
Contract review
Tailored project plan
Project path definition
Seismic design level definition
Product scope definition
Analysis scope definition
Shake testing scope definition
Mounting / attachment scope definition
Role and responsibility definition
Success criteria documented
Engineering review
Actions
Include issuing of requests for information (RFI) and the creation of the project plan, product matrix, shake test matrix, analysis unit matrix, and project timeline.
2 DETAILED PRODUCT REVIEW
Key Elements
Detailed review of the product to determine / confirm design breaks based on similarity of construction
Planning meeting with HCAI to discuss acceptance of the product matrix and test plan
Conduct pre-shake confidence analysis
Actions
List development of additional analysis (or testing) required to certify all products within the scope
Revise scopes or metrics from Stage 1 as appropriate
Issuing of DCRs to the customer resulting from pre-shake "confidence analysis" to implement prior to UUTs shipping to the test lab
3 FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Key Elements
Stress
Buckling
Modal
Actions
Design change requirements and customer resubmission of design
4 SHAKE TEST AND ANALYSIS PLANNING
Key Elements
Shake Test Planning:
Pre-shake function definition
Post-shake function definition
Identification of test specimens
Analysis Planning:
Determination of what will be analyzed by FEA versus discrete analysis
Actions
Shake Test Planning:
Includes development of the test plan and pre / post functional test procedure, the securing lab time and test specimens and design / building of the test fixtures
Analysis Planning:
Includes a list of what structures will be analyzed, a list of which individual components will be analyzed, and determining the method of analysis for each item
5 SHAKE TESTING
Key Elements
Conduct bare table runs to "tune" table and TRS
Pre-shake functional verification of all units
Customer to document, VMC to witness and approve
Install fixture, external isolation (if applicable), and UUT
Instrument UUT with accelerometer sensors
Run resonant frequency searches and conduct seismic shake test
Post-shake visual inspection and functional verification
Customer to document, VMC to witness and approve
Post process accelerometer data
Actions
Issuing of the shake table test report
6 DISCRETE ANALYSIS
Key Elements
Calculations performed for:
Structure members
Structure joints
Component structure
Component attachments
Component bracing
Internal isolation devices
Actions
Updated design change requirements if applicable and customer submission of updated design changes
7 INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Key Elements
Anchor calculations
Isolator selections (if applicable)
Service connections
Sway bracing
Support structure
Actions
Submission of field installation parameters specifying customer’s responsibilities to meet code requirements
8 CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE & LABELS
Key Elements
Design customer label
Create initial Certificate of Compliance (C of C)
Actions
Issuing the initial C of C and labels to the customer for review and comment
9 INITIAL CERTIFICATION REPORT
Key Elements
Create / write initial IBC Certification report
Complete VMA / OSP application and submittal package
Actions
Issuing the certification report to the customer for review and comment and submitting of the shake test reports for SE / PE stamping
10 FINAL DOCUMENTATION
Key Elements
Incorporate customer comments into the report, C of C and label
Secure SE / PE stamps on reports
Submit VMA / OSP application and review documentation
Actions
Issuing of all report(s) and documentation to the customer, submit VMA / OSP application and supporting documentation on customer's behalf and close out the project