Water Heater Installations in Ottawa - Spectral Response Acceleration

[Admin]

I notice everyone forgets to address the spectral response acceleration codes from the Ontario Building Code.

The referenced values for spectral response acceleration are provided by Earthquakes Canada in the publication "GSC Open File 4459 Table 1, Seismic Hazard Design Values". The Sa(0.2) value for Ottawa is 0.66.

9.31.6.2. Equipment and Installation
(3) Where the building is in a location where the spectral response acceleration, Sa(0.2), is greater than 0.55, service water heaters shall be secured to the structure to resist overturning and displacement.

9.33.1.3. Structural Movement
(1) Where the building is in a location where the spectral response acceleration, Sa(0.2), is greater than 0.55, heating and air-conditioning equipment with fuel or power connections shall be secured to the structure to resist overturning and displacement.

Every water heater and air conditioner, in Ottawa, must be secured with strapping or by other means.  Toronto has an Sa(0.2) of less than 0.55 so they don't have to deal with this issue.

These requirements should be added to the B149.1-15 Code book.