oshpd seismic

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OSHPD Seismic Certification Services for California Hospital Equipment

California hospitals operate under some of the most demanding seismic regulations in the United States. Protecting patients, maintaining continuous operation after a seismic event, and complying with state-specific healthcare requirements all depend on properly designed and qualified nonstructural components. For equipment manufacturers, contractors, architects, engineers, and healthcare facility managers, understanding oshpd seismic requirements is an essential part of delivering successful hospital projects.

Although the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) has transitioned into the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), many professionals continue to use the term oshpd seismic when referring to seismic certification, hospital equipment approvals, and California healthcare construction requirements. Today, HCAI continues administering the OSP and OPM pre-approval programs while maintaining rigorous standards for nonstructural seismic safety in acute care hospitals and other regulated healthcare facilities.

Meeting these requirements involves considerably more than simply attaching equipment to concrete. Engineers must evaluate seismic forces in accordance with ASCE 7-22, verify anchor performance using ACI 318-19 Chapter 17, determine whether shake table testing under ICC-ES AC156 is required, coordinate with structural and MEP disciplines, and prepare documentation suitable for HCAI review. Depending on the project, additional standards such as CBC, IBC, IEEE 693, FEMA E-74, and NFPA 13 may also influence the design and approval process.

Panache Engineering supports this process by providing PE/SE-stamped seismic calculations, HCAI OSP and OPM pre-approval services, seismic bracing design, vibration isolation engineering, structural analysis, fabrication drawings, and coordination for ICC-ES AC156 shake table testing. Rather than treating seismic certification as a standalone task, the engineering approach integrates structural design, code compliance, and constructability into one coordinated workflow that helps manufacturers, contractors, and healthcare owners move projects toward successful approval.

What Is OSHPD Seismic Certification?

The term oshpd seismic refers to the engineering, testing, and approval process used to demonstrate that nonstructural building components and equipment installed in California healthcare facilities satisfy state seismic safety requirements. While the agency responsible for these programs is now HCAI, the engineering principles and approval pathways remain fundamentally the same.

Unlike many commercial construction projects, California hospital projects require a higher level of documentation because critical equipment must remain functional following a design-level earthquake. Medical gas systems, emergency generators, imaging equipment, electrical distribution systems, HVAC equipment, piping, fire protection systems, and numerous other nonstructural components all contribute to maintaining patient care during and after seismic events.

Why OSHPD Became HCAI

In 2021, California reorganized OSHPD into the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). Although the agency name changed, the familiar OSP and OPM approval programs continue to exist. As a result, many project teams still search for oshpd seismic certification even though official documentation references HCAI.

For engineers and equipment manufacturers, the practical implications changed very little. Existing approvals remain recognized, and the engineering documentation required for healthcare projects continues to follow established seismic qualification procedures.

Why California Hospital Projects Require Seismic Approval

Hospitals differ from ordinary commercial buildings because they are expected to remain operational immediately after major earthquakes. Structural integrity alone is insufficient if essential equipment becomes damaged, disconnected, or inoperable.

This is why California places significant emphasis on nonstructural component performance. Engineers must demonstrate that equipment anchorage, supports, braces, and attached systems can resist calculated seismic demands while maintaining functionality. Proper seismic qualification minimizes life safety risks, reduces post-earthquake downtime, and supports continuity of patient care.

For many projects, compliance requires coordination among structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, fire protection engineers, architects, manufacturers, and contractors. Early planning often reduces redesign efforts and shortens HCAI review cycles.

Which Hospital Equipment Requires OSHPD Seismic Approval?

One of the most common questions during healthcare construction projects is whether a particular piece of equipment requires oshpd seismic approval. The answer depends on the equipment type, its function within the facility, applicable code provisions, and project-specific HCAI requirements.

Many permanently installed systems require engineering evaluation because their failure could interrupt hospital operations or create life safety hazards during an earthquake.

Mechanical Equipment

Mechanical systems frequently represent a significant portion of hospital seismic engineering work. Air handling units, chillers, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, rooftop equipment, vibration-isolated machinery, and HVAC distribution systems all require evaluation for seismic loads.

Engineers determine equipment weight, center of gravity, support configuration, anchorage forces, and load transfer into the supporting structure. Where vibration isolation systems are incorporated, both operational performance and seismic restraint requirements must be considered simultaneously.

Electrical Equipment

Electrical infrastructure supports nearly every critical hospital function. Switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, emergency power equipment, UPS systems, battery racks, cable tray systems, and electrical panels may all require seismic qualification depending on the project scope.

Some equipment also falls under IEEE 693 qualification requirements, particularly where maintaining electrical functionality during seismic events is essential.

Medical Equipment

Advanced medical equipment often represents one of the most technically challenging categories because operational performance must be preserved while satisfying structural requirements.

Examples include:

Depending on manufacturer documentation, seismic qualification may rely on engineering calculations, previous HCAI approvals, or ICC-ES AC156 shake table testing.

Fire Protection Systems

Fire sprinkler systems remain operational only when their seismic bracing systems comply with applicable requirements. Engineers evaluate brace spacing, brace orientation, pipe loads, attachment methods, and supporting structures according to NFPA 13 and ASCE 7-22 Section 13.6.

Proper coordination between structural engineers and fire protection designers helps avoid conflicts during construction while supporting permit approval.

Architectural Components

Although architectural systems are sometimes overlooked, suspended ceilings, partitions, overhead storage, exterior cladding, equipment screens, and other nonstructural architectural components may also require seismic evaluation.

These components contribute to occupant safety by reducing falling hazards and maintaining building functionality following earthquake events.

Understanding HCAI OSP vs HCAI OPM Pre-Approvals

Selecting the appropriate approval pathway is one of the earliest strategic decisions in an oshpd seismic project. Understanding the distinction between OSP and OPM approvals helps manufacturers, contractors, and project owners choose the most efficient compliance strategy.

When an OSP Is Appropriate

The Office of Statewide Preapproval (OSP) program is generally intended for equipment manufacturers seeking statewide acceptance of standardized products. Rather than repeating engineering reviews on every individual hospital project, manufacturers can obtain pre-approval for equipment configurations that satisfy HCAI requirements.

An OSP approval typically includes engineering calculations, anchorage details, installation requirements, product limitations, and supporting documentation that hospitals and design teams can reference during future projects.

For manufacturers serving California's healthcare market, obtaining an OSP can streamline project delivery, improve consistency across installations, and reduce repetitive engineering efforts.

When an OPM Is Appropriate

The Office of Statewide Preapproval of Manufacturer's Certification (OPM) program applies to manufactured products whose quality-controlled fabrication process supports consistent compliance with approved standards.

Rather than evaluating each installation independently, the approval confirms that specific manufactured products satisfy established engineering criteria when installed according to approved requirements.

OPM approvals are frequently used for prefabricated support systems, seismic restraint products, proprietary anchorage systems, and other manufactured components intended for repeated use across multiple healthcare projects.

Choosing the Correct Approval Path

The appropriate pathway depends on numerous technical considerations, including product type, manufacturing consistency, installation variability, project objectives, and future marketing plans.

Experienced seismic engineers evaluate factors such as anticipated production volume, equipment customization, required testing, engineering documentation, and long-term approval strategy before recommending either an OSP or OPM approach.

Because these decisions affect engineering scope, project schedule, and future certification opportunities, involving seismic specialists early in product development often provides the greatest benefit.

How the OSHPD Seismic Approval Process Works

Successfully obtaining oshpd seismic approval requires more than producing a set of calculations. It is a coordinated engineering process that begins during equipment design and continues through documentation, code verification, review, and final installation. Whether the project involves a new hospital, an expansion, or the replacement of existing equipment, each stage should support both regulatory compliance and constructability.

One of the most common reasons for review comments is that different disciplines develop their documents independently. Structural engineers may design the anchorage while mechanical engineers revise equipment weights, or manufacturers may modify mounting details after calculations have already been completed. A coordinated workflow minimizes these inconsistencies and helps reduce delays during HCAI review.

Engineering Review

The engineering review starts by collecting accurate technical information about the equipment and the structure supporting it. This typically includes:

The engineer determines whether previous HCAI approvals exist, whether engineering calculations alone are sufficient, or whether additional testing—such as ICC-ES AC156 shake table testing—may be necessary.

This early evaluation also identifies project-specific challenges, including elevated installations, rooftop equipment, suspended systems, vibration isolation requirements, or existing concrete conditions that could influence anchor selection.

Structural Analysis

Structural analysis establishes the seismic demands acting on the equipment and its supporting system.

For most nonstructural components, engineers evaluate:

These parameters are used to determine seismic design forces in accordance with ASCE 7-22 Chapter 13. The resulting forces are then transferred through supports, braces, base plates, anchor rods, and structural framing to verify that every element of the load path has adequate capacity.

When custom support frames are required, finite element analysis (FEA) or conventional structural analysis may be used to evaluate stresses, deflections, welds, and member capacities before fabrication drawings are prepared.

Documentation Requirements

Complete documentation is just as important as sound engineering calculations.

Typical submittals include:

Well-organized documentation enables reviewers to verify compliance efficiently while reducing requests for clarification.

HCAI Submission

Once the engineering package is complete, the documentation is prepared for submission through the appropriate HCAI approval pathway.

Depending on the project, the submission may include:

Review comments are addressed through coordinated engineering responses, ensuring revisions remain consistent across all project documents.

Approval and Project Implementation

Approval represents the beginning—not the end—of successful seismic compliance.

During construction, contractors must install equipment exactly as shown on the approved drawings. Substituting anchor types, changing support geometry, modifying weld sizes, or relocating equipment without engineering review can invalidate previously approved calculations.

Successful implementation therefore depends on continuous coordination between engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and hospital project teams throughout construction.

Engineering Standards That Govern OSHPD Seismic Compliance

California healthcare projects operate within one of the most comprehensive regulatory environments in the construction industry. Rather than relying on a single code, oshpd seismic engineering integrates multiple standards that collectively govern structural design, anchorage, testing, fabrication, and installation.

Understanding how these standards interact helps project teams avoid conflicting requirements while producing documentation that satisfies HCAI expectations.

ASCE 7-22 Chapter 13

ASCE 7-22 Chapter 13 establishes seismic design requirements for nonstructural components.

Among other provisions, it defines:

Because hospital equipment often supports essential healthcare functions, engineers carefully evaluate these provisions to determine appropriate design forces for anchorage and bracing systems.

California Building Code

The California Building Code (CBC) incorporates state-specific amendments that reflect California's unique seismic hazards.

Healthcare projects must satisfy CBC requirements in addition to HCAI regulations, making familiarity with California-specific provisions essential for engineers working on hospital facilities.

International Building Code

Although California adopts its own building code, the CBC is derived largely from the International Building Code (IBC). Understanding both documents helps maintain consistency between national engineering practices and California-specific healthcare requirements.

ACI 318-19 Chapter 17

Once seismic forces are established, anchor design becomes a critical part of the engineering process.

ACI 318-19 Chapter 17 governs concrete anchor design by evaluating failure modes such as:

These provisions apply whether engineers specify cast-in-place anchors, adhesive anchors, or post-installed mechanical anchors.

ICC-ES AC156

Not every equipment qualification can rely solely on analytical calculations.

ICC-ES AC156 establishes standardized shake table testing procedures for demonstrating seismic performance of nonstructural components. Manufacturers frequently use this protocol when obtaining statewide acceptance for equipment installed in healthcare facilities.

Testing verifies not only structural integrity but, where applicable, continued operational functionality following simulated earthquake motions.

FEMA E-74

Existing hospitals often contain equipment installed decades before current seismic regulations.

FEMA E-74 provides practical guidance for identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing mitigation measures, and improving seismic performance of existing nonstructural components without requiring complete facility replacement.

IEEE 693

Electrical equipment used in critical facilities may also require qualification under IEEE 693, particularly for equipment supporting emergency power distribution and life safety systems.

The standard complements broader seismic engineering requirements by focusing on electrical equipment performance during seismic events.

NFPA 13

Fire sprinkler systems require dedicated seismic restraint design.

NFPA 13 establishes requirements for sway bracing, longitudinal bracing, flexible connections, clearances, and support spacing that help sprinkler systems remain functional following earthquakes.

Proper coordination between structural engineers and fire protection engineers is essential because inadequate brace placement or support detailing may compromise both seismic performance and fire protection reliability.

PE/SE Stamped Seismic Calculations for Hospital Equipment

PE/SE-stamped seismic calculations form the technical foundation of many oshpd seismic submittals. These calculations demonstrate that equipment anchorage, support structures, and seismic restraints have been designed to resist the required earthquake forces while complying with applicable codes and HCAI requirements.

Anchorage Design

Anchorage design begins by evaluating the interaction between the equipment, its base, the anchorage system, and the supporting structure. Engineers determine whether cast-in-place anchors, post-installed mechanical anchors, or adhesive anchors are appropriate based on the installation conditions, concrete strength, edge distances, spacing, and anticipated seismic demands.

Rather than selecting anchors based solely on capacity tables, the complete load path is verified to ensure forces are transferred safely from the equipment into the building structure.

Seismic Force Calculations

Seismic design forces are calculated using the procedures in ASCE 7-22. Variables such as component importance, installation elevation, equipment weight, structural response characteristics, and site seismicity all influence the final design forces.

For complex equipment support frames or custom fabricated assemblies, structural finite element analysis (FEA) may also be incorporated to evaluate stress distribution, connection behavior, and overall structural performance under combined loading conditions.

Structural Attachment Design

Hospital equipment is frequently supported on structural steel frames, housekeeping pads, suspended trapeze systems, or concrete foundations. Every attachment—including welds, bolts, plates, channels, and supporting members—must be evaluated as part of the complete structural system rather than as isolated components.

This integrated approach helps reduce construction conflicts while improving confidence during HCAI review.

Supporting Documentation

A complete engineering package typically includes PE/SE-stamped calculations, anchor schedules, structural details, installation requirements, fabrication drawings, applicable code references, and manufacturer data sheets. Providing organized documentation allows contractors, inspectors, and plan reviewers to verify compliance efficiently throughout construction.

When ICC-ES AC156 Shake Table Testing Is Required

Analytical calculations alone are not always sufficient to demonstrate seismic performance. Certain products require physical qualification through ICC-ES AC156 shake table testing, particularly when operational performance after an earthquake is essential.

Equipment Qualification

Shake table testing is commonly performed for equipment that will be installed in hospitals and essential facilities where continued operation is critical. The testing simulates earthquake motions representative of design-level seismic events while monitoring structural integrity, anchorage performance, and, when required, operational functionality.

Prototype Testing

Manufacturers often conduct testing on prototype equipment before final production begins. This allows design improvements to be incorporated early, reducing the likelihood of repeated testing or engineering revisions later in the approval process.

Prototype qualification can also support future HCAI OSP or OPM applications by providing documented evidence of seismic performance.

Design Validation

Testing complements engineering calculations rather than replacing them. Engineers review test configurations, mounting conditions, instrumentation, and acceptance criteria to verify that the tested assembly accurately represents the final installed product.

If equipment configurations change significantly after testing, supplemental engineering or additional qualification may be required.

Certification Documentation

Successful qualification includes more than a passing test result. The final documentation package typically incorporates laboratory reports, engineering evaluations, installation limitations, approved mounting details, and supporting calculations that define how the equipment must be installed to remain compliant.

Common Compliance Challenges on Hospital Projects

Even well-planned projects can encounter challenges during the seismic approval process. Identifying these issues early helps minimize redesign, construction delays, and permit review comments.

Existing Facility Retrofits

Retrofitting existing hospitals often presents unknown conditions such as undocumented reinforcing steel, deteriorated concrete, obsolete equipment supports, or limited access for installation. Engineers frequently perform field investigations before finalizing anchorage designs.

Equipment Relocation

Moving equipment from one location to another may alter seismic demands because floor elevations, supporting structures, and attachment conditions change. Existing calculations cannot always be reused without engineering verification.

Missing Manufacturer Data

Incomplete equipment information is a common source of project delays. Missing weights, center-of-gravity locations, mounting details, or structural limitations make accurate seismic analysis difficult. Early coordination with manufacturers helps prevent unnecessary revisions.

Coordination Between Design Teams

Hospital projects involve architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants, contractors, equipment suppliers, and healthcare owners. Consistent communication between these disciplines is essential to maintain alignment between structural calculations, fabrication drawings, and field installation.

Permit Review Comments

Many HCAI review comments result from documentation inconsistencies rather than engineering deficiencies. Organized calculations, clearly referenced code provisions, coordinated drawings, and complete supporting documents can significantly improve review efficiency.

Why Equipment Manufacturers Pursue HCAI Pre-Approval

For manufacturers supplying products to California healthcare facilities, HCAI pre-approval offers long-term advantages beyond individual projects.

A successful OSP or OPM approval can reduce repetitive engineering work, simplify specification by design professionals, improve confidence among contractors, and streamline procurement for hospital owners. Instead of preparing unique seismic documentation for every installation, manufacturers can reference approved details where applicable.

Early consideration of seismic qualification during product development also allows engineering teams to optimize support configurations, improve constructability, and reduce lifecycle certification costs.

Panache Engineering's Approach to OSHPD Seismic Engineering

Successful healthcare projects require more than code compliance—they require coordinated engineering from concept through construction.

Panache Engineering provides integrated services that include HCAI OSP and OPM pre-approvals, PE/SE-stamped seismic calculations, seismic anchorage design, nonstructural component engineering, vibration isolation analysis, structural FEA, fabrication drawings, and coordination for ICC-ES AC156 shake table testing.

Because these services are developed within a coordinated engineering workflow, project teams can reduce interface risks between calculations, detailing, fabrication, and installation while maintaining compliance with ASCE 7-22, ACI 318-19, CBC, IBC, FEMA E-74, IEEE 693, and other applicable standards.

For engineers performing preliminary design, Panache also provides a free seismic anchor calculator and technical resources that can assist with early project planning. As projects advance toward construction, clients can request a free 48-hour engineering quote to help evaluate project scope and scheduling requirements.

Industries and Facilities Served

The principles of oshpd seismic engineering apply across a broad range of healthcare and essential facility projects.

Typical applications include:

Projects may involve new construction, facility expansions, equipment replacements, seismic retrofits, or modernization programs. Each project requires engineering solutions tailored to the building, equipment, applicable codes, and operational requirements.

Request an OSHPD Seismic Engineering Consultation

Whether the project involves qualifying a new medical device, designing seismic restraints for HVAC equipment, preparing PE/SE-stamped anchorage calculations, or pursuing HCAI OSP or OPM pre-approval, early engineering coordination can significantly improve project efficiency.

Providing equipment specifications, structural information, anticipated installation details, and project schedules at the beginning of the process allows engineers to identify applicable code requirements, determine whether analytical calculations or shake table testing are appropriate, and develop a practical path toward compliance.

By combining structural engineering, seismic certification, fabrication support, and healthcare construction expertise, Panache Engineering helps manufacturers, contractors, and healthcare organizations navigate California's complex seismic approval process with technically sound, code-compliant engineering solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OSHPD seismic certification?

OSHPD seismic certification refers to the engineering process used to demonstrate that nonstructural equipment and components installed in California healthcare facilities satisfy applicable seismic safety requirements. Although OSHPD is now HCAI, the term remains widely used throughout the construction industry.

What is the difference between HCAI and OSHPD?

OSHPD was reorganized into the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). The agency's name changed, but programs such as OSP and OPM continue to support seismic approval for hospital equipment.

What is the difference between an HCAI OSP and an HCAI OPM?

An OSP generally provides statewide pre-approval for equipment designs, while an OPM applies to qualifying manufactured products through approved production processes. The appropriate option depends on the equipment and the manufacturer's certification objectives.

Which types of equipment require OSHPD seismic approval?

Requirements vary by project but commonly include HVAC equipment, generators, switchgear, pumps, medical imaging equipment, laboratory equipment, medical gas systems, piping, cable trays, conduit systems, and fire protection components.

When is ICC-ES AC156 shake table testing required?

Shake table testing is typically required when analytical calculations alone cannot adequately demonstrate seismic performance or when equipment manufacturers need physical qualification for hospital applications.

Do all hospital equipment installations require PE or SE stamped calculations?

Not every installation requires project-specific calculations, but many permanently installed nonstructural components require engineering documentation prepared and stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer or Structural Engineer in accordance with project requirements.

Which codes govern seismic certification for California hospitals?

Projects commonly reference ASCE 7-22, the California Building Code (CBC), the International Building Code (IBC), ACI 318-19 Chapter 17, ICC-ES AC156, FEMA E-74, NFPA 13, and IEEE 693, depending on the equipment and facility.

Can existing hospital equipment be retroactively qualified for seismic compliance?

Yes. Existing equipment can often be evaluated through engineering analysis, field investigation, retrofit design, or supplemental testing, depending on its condition and available documentation.

How long does the HCAI approval process typically take?

The timeline varies depending on project complexity, documentation quality, testing requirements, and agency review workload. Preparing coordinated engineering documents early in the project generally helps reduce delays.

What documents are required for an HCAI seismic submission?

Typical documentation includes PE/SE-stamped calculations, equipment information, anchorage details, installation drawings, material specifications, testing reports (when applicable), and supporting engineering documentation.

How can manufacturers obtain an HCAI OSP pre-approval for multiple projects?

Manufacturers typically work with qualified seismic engineers to develop standardized calculations, testing documentation where required, installation details, and supporting technical packages for HCAI review.

Can one engineering firm provide calculations, testing coordination, fabrication drawings, and HCAI support?

Yes. An integrated engineering approach that combines seismic calculations, structural analysis, fabrication drawings, testing coordination, and HCAI documentation can improve project coordination, reduce review comments, and streamline the path from design through installation.

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