High-Level Seismic Compliance Review – Oakville
Parsways Inc. was retained to carry out a high-level seismic compliance assessment of three custom industrial furnace units located within an active manufacturing facility. The review focused on documenting the as-installed structural and support conditions relative to current seismic provisions of the Ontario Building Code.
The scope was limited to a desktop review combined with non-intrusive site observations. Mechanical performance, process design, and detailed structural verification were explicitly excluded from this assessment.
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Completion: August 2025
Sector: Industrial
1. The Challenge
The project involved custom industrial furnace units installed on steel platforms, designed primarily for thermal performance rather than structural or seismic resistance.
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Seismic Load Path:
No defined seismic force resisting system or continuous lateral load path was identified for the furnace assemblies.
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Anchorage and Support:
The furnaces were not mechanically anchored to their platforms, and platform bracing included unbraced spans.
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Code Compliance Context:
Nonbuilding structures require a verified load path to transfer seismic forces to the supporting ground.
2. The Engineering Solution
Parsways completed a high-level seismic compliance assessment focused on documenting existing conditions and code alignment.
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a) Document Review:
Client drawings, material data, geotechnical information, and NBCC seismic parameters were reviewed.
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b) Site Observation:
A visual, non-intrusive site visit confirmed furnace geometry, support framing, and anchorage conditions.
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c) Code Assessment:
Observed conditions were reviewed against OBC 2024 seismic provisions and CSA S16:24 to identify non-conformance.
3. The Outcome
The review clarified that the furnace assemblies, as installed, do not meet current seismic compliance requirements due to the absence of a defined lateral system and mechanical anchorage. The findings established a clear technical baseline for decision-making, highlighted specific structural risks under seismic loading, and outlined practical next steps for future analysis and retrofit planning in accordance with OBC 2024 and applicable CSA standards.