HCAI Seismic Certification Timeline — Week by Week

OSP submittal and HCAI review: 6–10 weeks

This window covers submittal preparation, HCAI review, and back-check once an approved shake-table test report exists. Per HCAI PIN 55, an OSP is issued on the basis of approved shake-table testing — certification by analysis or experience data is outside the OSP program and, where permitted by the governing provisions, is handled through a project-specific HCAI-reviewed route instead.

1. Week 0

   Kickoff

   Quote signed, vendor drawings + cut-sheets received, project SDS / Ip confirmed.

2. Week 1–2

   Analysis

   Center of gravity, anchorage forces per ASCE 7-22 Ch.13, anchor design per ACI 318-19 Ch.17.

3. Week 3–4

   Calculation package

   PE/SE stamped calc set + anchorage details drafted, internal QC review.

4. Week 5–8

   OSP submittal

   HCAI submittal, agency review, response to back-check comments.

5. Week 9–10

   OSP number issued

   OSP record activated and added to the searchable HCAI database.

Project anchorage package: 5–10 business days

If the component only requires project-specific anchorage/support design, a stamped anchorage package may be sufficient. If the component is subject to Special Seismic Certification, anchorage calculations alone do not satisfy SSC; an applicable OSP or an HCAI-approved project-specific SSC is also required.

• 5–10 business day standard turnaround
• Rush turnarounds available on request
• ASCE 7-22 + ACI 318-19 compliant
• Reissue at no charge if project SDS changes

Frequently asked questions

How long does HCAI OSP certification take?

Plan on 14–20 weeks. An OSP is issued on the basis of approved shake-table testing per HCAI PIN 55, so the schedule includes lab booking, equipment shipping, witnessed AC156 testing, report preparation, HCAI review, and back-check. The HCAI submittal and review portion alone typically runs 6–10 weeks once a complete, test-based package is ready.

How fast can a project anchorage package be issued?

A stamped project-specific anchorage/support package is typically delivered in 5–10 business days once equipment cut-sheets and project seismic parameters are provided. Anchorage design is a separate scope from Special Seismic Certification and does not satisfy SSC on its own.

What slows HCAI seismic certification down?

The biggest delays come from incomplete vendor drawings, missing center-of-gravity data, late shake table lab booking, and HCAI back-checks. None are an engineering problem — they are a documentation problem.