If you design, anchor, restrain, or inspect equipment in a California hospital, you live and die by one document: HCAI/OSHPD Policy Intent Notice PIN 68 — "Support and Attachment Requirements for Fixed, Interim, Mobile, Movable, Other and Temporary Equipment." PIN 68 is the official interpretation of CBC §1617A.1.18, which modifies ASCE/SEI 7 §13.1.4.

Why PIN 68 exists

ASCE 7 §13.1.4 originally exempted a long list of nonstructural components from Chapter 13 anchorage. CBC 1617A.1.18 rewrites that section for California hospitals with several exceptions to the exemptions. PIN 68 (effective 3/04/2020) clarifies the code intent.

The seven equipment classifications

  • Fixed equipment — directly attached to the building or service utility, in one location.
  • Movable equipment — directly attached, periodically moved for cleaning/maintenance.
  • Mobile equipment — used in a different location than where it is stored.
  • Countertop equipment — on countertop, bench, or shelf.
  • Other equipment — not connected to a building service, single location.
  • Interim equipment — temporary > 180 days for a specific project.
  • Temporary equipment — used during replacement/maintenance/repair.

Essential equipment = failure significantly impairs operations during/after a disaster. Patient Care Vicinity per CEC §517.2 = within 6 ft of patient location and up to 7 ft 6 in above the floor.

Anchorage & restraint triggers, by classification

Fixed equipment

Anchored if directly attached to a building utility. "Directly attached" includes all electrical connections except 110/220 V plug-in cords. Plumbing connections with a shut-off valve and ID < ½ in are not directly attached.

Movable equipment

  • Weight > 400 lb: details + seismic calculations.
  • Weight ≤ 400 lb with CoM ≥ 4 ft: details + calculations.

Mobile equipment

Restraint required only when weight > 400 lb AND CoM ≥ 4 ft AND not stored in equipment storage room.

Countertop equipment

Subject to the Other Equipment triggers.

Other equipment — the long trigger list

  1. Essential to operations and weight > 100 lb.
  2. Could fall within the patient care vicinity.
  3. Could fall and block a means of egress.
  4. Weight > 400 lb.
  5. Weight > 200 lb and CoM > 4 ft.
  6. Hazardous contents.

Temporary equipment (use > 30 days, ≤ 180 days)

  • Seismic design per Chapter 13, but Fp may be reduced by 50%.
  • Wind design per ASCE 37-14.
  • Temporary piping/conductors/ductwork supports — seismic design not required.

Interim equipment

  • Full Chapter 13 seismic design — no 50% reduction.

Acceptable supports & attachments

  • National standard (AISC, AISI, ACI), or
  • Valid evaluation report (ICC-ES ESR, IAPMO UES ER), or
  • Tested to ≥ 2× the LRFD seismic design demand, or
  • Shake-table tested per AC156 (OSP/OPM path).

What must be on the construction documents

All construction documents must include an equipment schedule identifying every applicable item, classification, and detail reference.

Equipment schedule — required columns

  • ID, Description, Operating weight (lb)
  • Width / height / depth (in), Center of mass (in)
  • Detail reference (e.g. S5.1/3, or "N/A")
  • Classification — Fixed, Movable, Mobile, Countertop, Other, Interim, Temporary, Exempt

Quick decision matrix

  • 400 lb — universal trigger.
  • 200 lb + 4 ft CoM — anchorage required for Countertop / Other.
  • 100 lb + essential — anchorage required.
  • 4 ft CoM — universal "tippy" threshold.
  • Patient care vicinity & egress — independent triggers.

Common mistakes that get plans rejected

  • Treating a 110/220 V plug-in cord as a "utility connection".
  • Calling wheeled equipment "fixed" because it is rarely moved.
  • Assuming all mobile equipment > 400 lb needs restraint — not if stored in equipment storage room.
  • Forgetting patient care vicinity / egress triggers under 400 lb.
  • Missing the 50% Fp reduction for temporary, or applying it to interim.
  • Submitting an OPM-listed product without showing the OPM number on the schedule.

How PIN 68 fits with OPM, OSP & ASCE 7-22

PIN 68 decides whether equipment must be anchored. Once it must, two paths exist:

  • Project-specific anchorage per ASCE 7-22 Chapter 13 — see our deep-dive.
  • Preapproved product with an OPM or OSP.

How PANACHE ENGINEERING helps

Need to classify your equipment list or design restraints under PIN 68? Talk to an engineer or open the Seismic Anchor Calculator.