We have been contacted by many equipment manufacturers (OEM’s) as a result of OSHPD’s requirement to obtain seismic certification for equipment installed in California hospitals. OSHPD developed the OSP program to pre-approve equipment that has been tested for general approval on any OSHPD project.
Since 2000, the International Building Code (IBC) has required seismic certification of all equipment required for the continued operation in an essential facility. This requirement was not enforced until California adopted IBC in 2007 and equipment certification became an OSHPD requirement.
Shake table testing is accepted as the only method of certifying the functionality of active or energized components. Testing of equipment on isolators and snubbers is the only way to obtain equipment certification for equipment that will be vibration isolated.
Because of the extreme 4g maximum acceleration required for the test shown in the embedded video, multiple Mason Z-1011 seismic snubbers were installed on the chiller. Industry standard code compliant snubbers have thin elastomeric bushings that can dramatically amplify seismic forces. But because of the Z1011’s unique design and thick neoprene bushings we can control the amplification, keep the forces on the equipment and the attachments to a minimum and further guarantee survivability.
As a result of this design, the equipment passed the test and an OSHPD OSP approval number was issued.
What’s most interesting is witnessing the actual test. Because most of you will never have this opportunity, we have published the video so you can participate the same way we do.
August 19th, 2011
