Everything you Need to Know About Seismic Accelerograph: Earthquake Instrumentation, Location, Installation, And Maintenance

Accelerograph is a useful instrument used to record earthquake motion real time for the purpose of keeping buildings in track with their structural health and safety and could prepare them for the next big earthquake to happen. But did you know that these instruments has a rule for its placement and installation? Let’s get to know more about this topic!

Where you should locate your Accelerograph or Accelerometer?

The instrument must be placed where competent technical workers may always reach it and where it is not blocked by other room items. The phrase “MAINTAIN CLEAR ACCESS TO THIS INSTRUMENT” must be displayed on a sign that stands out. In the refuge area, no instrument shall be found. 

The recommended placements for the instruments are in tiny, infrequently used rooms or closets near a column (stacked vertically), with enough area to securely mount the instrument and an authorized protective shell fastened firmly to the floor. The location must be included on the structural and architectural floor plans that are filed and appropriately authorized.

What about buildings with Three or More Accelerographs?

Instruments must be placed at the lowest basement, middle level, and the floor below the roof in structures with three or more accelerographs. The instrument placements are chosen to offer the most details on how a big earthquake may affect a building’s response. Such details would be among the crucial elements for comprehending how a building would behave in a significant earthquake.

Orientation of Instruments

All instruments must be mounted with the same orientation relative to the building, with the orientation set such that the instrument’s reference or long dimension is aligned with a major axis of the structure. The orientation of the instruments must be clearly noted in the structural and architectural designs presented. The owner/supplier must declare that the instruments are orientated as per the plan and have been approved by the Building Official.

SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE

Because the Philippines is located in the Ring of Fire and is prone to earthquakes, you will require a trusted accelerograph contractor, high-quality, and frequent maintenance of Accelerographs to keep it functioning in its best state.

• The seismic monitoring system must have a maintenance clearance, as required by Section 105.2 of the Philippine National Structural Code. “The building’s owner shall offer maintenance and servicing.”
• The provider must guarantee that the system will be serviceable for at least ten years.
• The maximum servicing interval for the service duration is one year. The three Recording accelerographs must be interconnected to work in tandem so that a failure in one unit does not impede the progress of the complete building seismic monitoring system. 
• The accelerograph should be equipped with fault detection and alarm, and in the case of a fault, building owners shall contact the provider and report the defect to the Building Official. 
• Calibration testing must be performed on a yearly basis to guarantee that the integrated systems are operating at peak efficiency.
• The equipment obsolescence should not impede the correct continuing functioning of the equipment during the 10-year period. 
• When the equipment’s provider determines that the instrument must be withdrawn from the building for repair, a service unit must be available as a temporary substitute to continue data collecting if and when an earthquake occurs during the repair.

Why Should You Choose VastResult As Your Seismic Accelerograph Supplier?

• Working with a single vendor for your building security systems is always sensible and efficient. Communication is simplified, there is just one point of contact for after-sales services, and upgrading and expanding are simple.
• Our crew is highly trained, well-equipped, and receives regular training to keep their skills up to date when it comes to installing Seismic Accelerographs and combining them with other exterior security systems.
• We are not a one-time contractor; we make ourselves available and do our utmost to address our clients’ issues.

As the best Seismic Accelerograph Building Contractor, VastResult Inc. have provided and installed seismic accelerographs for a variety of businesses, including hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and department shops. 

Due to the NDA, posting actual images of our installation is not permitted. For additional information, we have partnership with Gecko Accelerograph and Infinity Accelerograph. 

We also have an Accelerograph 24/7 Support & Maintenance to monitor your Accelerograph Devices. Here are a few of our accomplished projects so far.

• Department store undertaking (Supply and Installation)
• Manufacturing Businesses (Supply & Installation)
• Medical Facilities (Supply & Installation)
• Commercial Structure (Supply & Installation)