Do chillers need OSHPD seismic certification?

Yes. Chillers installed in California hospitals (Risk Category IV facilities) must be seismically certified under HCAI (formerly OSHPD). Air-cooled and water-cooled chillers, both packaged and split, require either OSP pre-approval, an OPM listing, or a project-specific anchorage letter — plus AC156 shake table testing if the chiller is designated Ip = 1.5 for post-earthquake operation.

What is Ip for a hospital chiller?

Chillers serving life-safety or essential hospital systems (e.g., operating rooms, ICU cooling, MRI cooling) are typically assigned Ip = 1.5 under ASCE 7-22 §13.1.3, requiring AC156 shake-table qualification. Chillers serving non-essential loads can sometimes be Ip = 1.0 and certified by analysis alone — the AHJ and project mechanical engineer make the final call.

OSP or project anchorage letter for a chiller?

If the same chiller model is sold into multiple California hospitals, OSP pre-approval is the cheapest long-term path. For a one-time install of a specific chiller on a specific pad, a PE/SE-stamped project anchorage letter is faster and lower upfront cost.

Chillers — California hospitals

OSHPD Chiller Seismic Certification

Air-cooled, water-cooled, packaged, or split — every chiller installed in a California hospital must be seismically certified under HCAI (formerly OSHPD). We handle the full path: OSP pre-approval, OPM listings, AC156 shake table testing, and PE/SE-stamped anchorage.

Get a Chiller Cert Quote (626) 698-0784

Four certification paths for chillers

The right path depends on whether you're a chiller OEM selling into many California hospitals, or a project team certifying a single install. Both routes go through HCAI.

OSP pre-approval

Best for chiller OEMs selling the same model into many California hospitals. One-time HCAI listing, reusable across projects.

Learn more about OSP pre-approval

OPM listing

Pre-approved anchorage details for a chiller family. Cuts deferred-submittal time on every project.

Learn more about OPM listing

Project anchorage letter

PE/SE-stamped calc package for one chiller on one project. Fastest path when OSP isn't justified.

Learn more about Project anchorage letter

AC156 shake table testing

Required for chillers with Ip = 1.5 (life-safety / post-earthquake operation). Witnessed at qualified labs.

Learn more about AC156 shake table testing

When does a chiller need AC156 shake table testing?

Under ASCE 7-22 §13.2.2 and ICC-ES AC156, an active chiller (rotating compressors, energized controls, pressurized refrigerant loops) designated Ip = 1.5 for post-earthquake operation must be qualified by shake-table test, not by analysis alone.

We coordinate the test program — required response spectrum (RRS) per AC156, test fixture design, witness, and the post-test certification package accepted by HCAI.

AC156 shake table testing details

What we need to scope a chiller cert

Chiller cut-sheet, weight, and CG height
Mounting condition: rigid pad, vibration isolators, or snubbed isolators
Ip designation (1.0 or 1.5) per project mechanical engineer
SDS at the project site (from geotech / structural engineer)
Hospital project number and HCAI office (Northern / Southern CA)
Whether a deferred submittal or pre-approved OSP path is preferred

Quote a chiller cert in 24 hours

Send us the chiller cut-sheet, weight, mounting, and Ip designation. You'll have a scoped, itemized PE/SE-stamped proposal — typically within one business day.

Request Chiller Quote (626) 698-0784

PE/SE stamped • Hundreds of California hospital projects since 2008

Frequently asked questions

Do chillers need OSHPD seismic certification?: Yes. Chillers installed in California hospitals (Risk Category IV facilities) must be seismically certified under HCAI (formerly OSHPD). Air-cooled and water-cooled chillers, both packaged and split, require either OSP pre-approval, an OPM listing, or a project-specific anchorage letter — plus AC156 shake table testing if the chiller is designated Ip = 1.5 for post-earthquake operation.
What is Ip for a hospital chiller?: Chillers serving life-safety or essential hospital systems (e.g., operating rooms, ICU cooling, MRI cooling) are typically assigned Ip = 1.5 under ASCE 7-22 §13.1.3, requiring AC156 shake-table qualification. Chillers serving non-essential loads can sometimes be Ip = 1.0 and certified by analysis alone — the AHJ and project mechanical engineer make the final call.
OSP or project anchorage letter for a chiller?: If the same chiller model is sold into multiple California hospitals, OSP pre-approval is the cheapest long-term path. For a one-time install of a specific chiller on a specific pad, a PE/SE-stamped project anchorage letter is faster and lower upfront cost.