Seismic Shake Table Testing & Qualification

Frequently asked questions

Common questions on shake table testing, AC156 qualification, OSP certification, and project timing.

What is a shake table test?

A shake table test mounts equipment on a servo-hydraulic table that reproduces earthquake motion — typically in three axes simultaneously — to demonstrate that the equipment remains structurally intact and, where required, remains functional. In equipment qualification, the table input is derived from a Required Response Spectrum (RRS) representing the seismic demand of the project or certification program.

What is ICC-ES AC156 shake table testing?

ICC-ES AC156 is the Acceptance Criteria for the Seismic Qualification of Nonstructural Components by Shake Table Testing. It defines the Required Response Spectrum (RRS), the testing protocol, and the documentation used to qualify equipment such as generators, switchgear, chillers, and air handlers for IBC, CBC, and HCAI/OSHPD programs.

Is a seismic shake test the same as shake table testing?

Generally, yes. 'Seismic shake test,' 'shake table test,' and 'seismic simulation test' describe the same basic process in equipment qualification: subjecting a specimen to earthquake-representative motion on a shake table. The exact requirements — input spectrum, excitation axes, operability checks, and documentation — depend on the governing standard and the certification objective (for example, ICC-ES AC156 versus IEEE 693).

How long does an AC156 shake table test take?

Program duration is project-dependent. As PANACHE ENGINEERING's typical guidance, most programs run 6–12 weeks from kickoff to a stamped certification report: RRS generation (1–2 weeks), fixture engineering and fabrication (3–6 weeks), shake table availability (1–3 weeks queue), the test event itself (1–2 days), and post-test reporting and PE/SE review (1–2 weeks). Complex product families, remediation, or laboratory queues can extend the schedule.

How much does shake table testing cost?

PANACHE ENGINEERING estimate as of September 2026 — HCAI does not publish testing prices. The laboratory test program (table time, fixtures, instrumentation, witnessing) typically runs $35,000 – $120,000, depending on equipment size, configuration count, fixture complexity, and whether the unit must remain operational post-test. Our engineering scope around the test — RRS derivation, test plan, coordination, report review and stamped certification — is quoted separately, and an OSP program built on new testing typically totals $60,000 – $195,000 all-in. Excludes HCAI fees, shipping, rigging, test specimens, and re-testing after a failed test.

Do all components with Ip = 1.5 require shake table testing?

Not necessarily. Certification requirements depend on the component type, whether it is active or energized, the adopted code edition, project performance requirements, and the authority having jurisdiction. Shake-table testing per ICC-ES AC156 is a common pathway for active equipment that must remain operable, but the applicable code provisions and project requirements should be reviewed before a qualification pathway is recommended.

Is HCAI OSP certification required?

No — OSP is a voluntary manufacturer preapproval program administered by HCAI. Applicable equipment may still require special seismic certification under the CBC and ASCE 7 even without an OSP, and a project-specific approval pathway may be used where appropriate. The certification obligation comes from the adopted code and the project, not from the OSP program itself.

Does HCAI OSP require shake table testing?

Under HCAI's current program guidance (PIN 55), an OSP is issued on the basis of approved shake-table testing in accordance with applicable HCAI requirements. Outside the OSP program, the building code recognizes other certification approaches subject to the limits in the applicable provisions and acceptance by the enforcement agency.

What is the difference between AC156 testing and an OSP certification?

AC156 is the test method; OSP (OSHPD Special Seismic Certification Pre-approval) is the HCAI program that uses AC156 results to issue a pre-approval number for use on California hospital projects. AC156 satisfies ASCE 7-16 §13.2.2 / 7-22 §13.2.3 certification-by-test nationwide. OSP itself is a voluntary manufacturer preapproval program; HCAI limits it to components that require Special Seismic Certification per CBC §1705.14.3, §1705A.14.3, or ASCE 7-16 §13.2.2 / 7-22 §13.2.3, and equipment without an OSP can still be used on an HCAI project through an approved project-specific submittal.

Does Panache Engineering have OSHPD/HCAI shake table testing experience?

Yes. Panache Engineering and its engineers have supported OSHPD/HCAI seismic qualification programs for major manufacturers of generator sets, automatic transfer switches, power-generation controls, and packaged air-handling equipment — including ICC-ES AC156 shake-table programs tested at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, University of Nevada Reno, and independent commercial laboratories. Some of those historical programs have since been renewed or updated by the manufacturers; the legacy examples on this page document Panache's prior involvement in the original qualification work rather than ownership of a current renewal.