I live in Greenville SC

[MXF9283]

Hey does anyone have any thoughts on if I should have my outdoor heat pump unit secured to a reinforced concrete pad? I had someone tell me the unit should be on a reinforced concrete pad with another black rubber pad on top of that. They also said there should be vibration isolators between the two. I have a Lennox 14HPX030 heat pump. I live in Greenville SC and this person was telling me that my unit needs to withstand 60 MPH winds. I think this sounds a bit silly. Any thoughts?

[beenthere]

Made this its own thread. You are not permitted to post in other peoples threads in the AOP forums. Please read our site rules, thank you.

[MXF9283]

My apologies. I'm new to this site and can't figure it quite out yet.

[beenthere]

My apologies. I'm new to this site and can't figure it quite out yet.

No biggie. just didn't want you getting dinged later because of not knowing.

[dandyme]

can't see why unless it's a local code thing.

hang on someone from that area will chime in sooner or later

wind zone 3_ definitely, wind zone 2_ probably, wind zone 1_why?

[tigerdunes]

MXF

Absolutely ridiculous. A black rubber pad?

Now, the condenser should be sitting on a pad of some type off the ground, whether plastic, preformed concrete, or a poured pad which is my preference. With a slight slope away from the house.

I am not clear about what you mean by secured. Certainly high winds are not an issue. And if tornado, it would be ruined anyway. Now secured because of theft problem in your neighborhood would be a different matter.

Check around at your neighbors' homes. I doubt you would see any that are secured in a special manner.

If you are still concerned, call the local building authority and see what the code says.

IMO

[dan sw fl]

Check around at your neighbors' homes. I doubt you would see any that are secured in a special manner.

If you are still concerned, call the local building authority and see what the code says.

http://www.greenvillecounty.org/Code...Inspection.asp

International MECHANICAL Code, 2006 applies.


M9-07/08, PART I – IMC
Revise as follows:
304.9 Clearances from grade. Equipment and appliances installed at grade level shall be supported on a level
concrete slab or other approved material extending not less than 3 inches (76 mm) above adjoining grade or shall be
suspended a minimum of not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above adjoining grade. Such support shall be in accordance
with the manufacturer's installation instructions.


Equipment Tie-downs are standard in FL for industrial and commercial applications.
Wind requirements are 100 to 130 MPH depending on proximity to the coast.

[energy_rater_La]

this has got me thinking...
maybe I'll do a tie down for my unit!
Granted it is somewhat protected by the house,
but if I tied down my shed for my lawnmower
why not tie down my condenser?
for peace of mind if nothing else.

Since Katrina, Rita and Gustav..all in
the past few years it may not be a bad idea.

[dan sw fl]

this has got me thinking...
maybe I'll do a tie down for my unit!
Granted it is somewhat protected by the house,
but if I tied down my shed for my lawnmower
why not tie down my condenser?

4 small clips and 4 small concrete bolts.
It might take 30 minutes if you have the right tools.

[energy_rater_La]

its pretty much a given that I'll do this in
a few days.
hurricane season is upon us!

[Home&Marine]

Since I'm in SC... Is this "someone" possibly from the North?

[ga-hvac-tech]

its pretty much a given that I'll do this in
a few days.
hurricane season is upon us!

If the unit is on a poured slab... then just drill holes through the bottom pan and attach with concrete anchors.

I used to use a tube of liquid nail to attach condensers to a poured pad years ago... theives had a time with that...

[genduct]

How about making the unit more difficult for the thieves to take ?