It is important for standby power system enclosures to withstand loads produced by hurricanes and windstorms. These enclosures must be designed to endure the forces of wind loads that are determined by many complex factors. Standards have been created to establish common methodology for design and analysis to minimize losses due to wind events. Building standards have evolved for decades in the United States along with codes for electrical and mechanical systems. The latest edition of building standards is embodied in the International Building Code (IBC 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015), which sets requirements for structures and ancillary systems including standby power systems. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize building owners and power system specifiers with the wind load compliance provisions of the IBC with respect to power system equipment.
