Seismic Compliance and Safety

Structural and Non-Structural Performance Categories

Structural Performance Category (SPC)

All general acute care hospital buildings are assigned a Structural Performance Category (SPC) which measures the probable seismic performance of building structural systems. Building structural systems include beams, columns, shear walls, slabs, and foundations. SPC ratings range from 1 to 5 with SPC 1 assigned to buildings that may be at risk of collapse during a strong earthquake and SPC 5 assigned to buildings reasonably capable of providing services to the public following a strong earthquake. State law requires all SPC 1 buildings to be removed from providing general acute care services by January 1, 2020, unless an approved extension has been granted, and all SPC 2 buildings to be removed from providing general acute care services by January 1, 2030. A hospital facility meets the January 1, 2030 requirements if all the general acute care buildings on campus are SPC and NPC compliant (see NPC description). 2030 compliant SPC ratings are either SPC 3, 4, 4D, or 5. 2030 compliant NPC ratings is NPC 5.

Resources

SPC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

SPC Ratings & Definitions

SPC 1

These buildings pose significant risk of collapse and danger to the public.

Where the Office has performed a collapse probability assessment, buildings with Probability of Collapse greater than 1.20% shall be placed in this category.

Deadline: These buildings must be brought up to the SPC 2 level by January 1, 2008, or be removed from acute care service.
Exception: Buildings with an approved extension are permitted to provide acute care service only up to the length of extension granted. Maximum extension that may be granted per statute is January 1, 2020, beyond which the building can no longer provide general acute care services.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 2.5.3)

SPC 2

These buildings do not significantly jeopardize life, but may not be repairable or functional following strong ground motion.

Where the Office has performed a collapse probability assessment, buildings with Probability Collapse less than or equal to 1.20% shall be placed in this category. Buildings in this category are in compliance with the pre-1973 California Building Standards Code or other applicable standards, but not in compliance with the structural provisions of the Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act.

These buildings must be brought into compliance with the structural provisions of the Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act, its regulations or its retrofit provisions by January 1, 2030, or be removed from acute care service.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 2.5.3)

SPC 3

These buildings may experience structural damage which does not significantly jeopardize life, but may not be repairable or functional following strong ground motion.

These buildings are in compliance with the structural provisions of the Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act, utilizing steel moment-resisting frames in regions of high seismicity as defined in Section 4.2.10 and constructed under a permit issued prior to October 25, 1994. Buildings in this category will have been constructed or reconstructed under a building permit obtained through HCAI.

These buildings may be used to January 1, 2030, and beyond.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 2.5.3)

SPC 4

These buildings are in compliance with the structural provisions of the Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act, but may experience structural damage which may inhibit ability to provide services to the public following strong ground motion. Buildings in this category will have been constructed or reconstructed under a building permit obtained through HCAI.

These buildings may be used to January 1, 2030, and beyond.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 2.5.3)

SPC 5

Buildings in compliance with the structural provisions of the Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act, and are reasonably capable of providing services to the public following strong ground motion. Buildings in this category will have been constructed or reconstructed under a building permit obtained through HCAI.

These buildings may be used without restriction to January 1, 2030, and beyond.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 2.5.3)

Seismic Performance Ratings of California Hospitals

The dashboard below shows the location of SPC-rated (SPC 1, 2, 3, 4, 4D or 5) buildings in California. Additionally, you can view the number of SPC-rated building(s) at each individual Hospital facility.

On a desktop computer;

  • On the left, hover the mouse pointer over the Ratings bar(s) to show the location of each category of SPC-rated (SPC 1, 2, 3, 4, 4D or 5) buildings.
  • On the right, hover the mouse pointer over the blue diamonds on the map to show the number of SPC rated building(s) at that facility.

Non-Structural Performance Category (NPC)

All general acute care hospital buildings are assigned a Non-Structural Performance Category (NPC) which measures the probable seismic performance of building contents, equipment, and systems critical to patient care. Non-structural contents, equipment and systems include cladding, partitions, ceilings, equipment, pipes, conduits, ducting, furnishings, contents, elevators, stairs, as well as water, sewage, medical gases, and other mechanical and electrical systems. NPC ratings range from 1 to 5 with NPC 1 assigned to buildings where equipment and systems critical to patient care may be completely non-functional following a strong earthquake and NPC 5 is assigned to buildings where equipment and systems critical to patient care are reasonably capable of providing services to the public following a strong earthquake or other disaster. The NPC requirements, unlike SPC requirements, are cumulative, so a building meeting NPC 5 would also meet NPC 1, 2, 3, and 4D or 4. A hospital facility meets the January 1, 2030 requirements if all the general acute care buildings on campus are SPC and NPC compliant (see NPC description). 2030 compliant SPC ratings are either SPC 3, 4, 4D, or 5. 2030 compliant NPC ratings is NPC 5.

Resources

NPC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

NPC 5 Water Rationing Plan

NPC Ratings & Definitions

NPC 1

Buildings with equipment and systems not meeting the bracing and anchorage requirements of any other NPC rating.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 11.1)

NPC 2

The following systems are braced or anchored in accordance with Part 2, Title 24:

  • Communication systems,
  • Emergency power supply,
  • Bulk medical gas systems,
  • Fire alarm systems, and
  • Emergency lighting equipment and signs in the means of egress

Deadline: January 1, 2002

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 11.1)

NPC 3 / NPC 3R

The building meets the criteria for NPC “2” and in critical care areas, clinical laboratory services spaces, pharmaceutical service spaces, radiological service spaces, and central and sterile supply areas, the following components meet the bracing and anchorage requirements of Part 2, Title 24:

  • Nonstructural components, listed in the 1995 CBC, Part 2, Title 24, Table 16A-0.

    Exception: For NPC 3R, lateral bracing of suspended ceiling systems may be omitted in rooms with a floor area less than 300 square feet, provided the room is not an intensive care or coronary care unit patient room, angiography laboratory, cardiac catherization laboratory, delivery room, operating room or post-operative recovery room.
  • “Equipment,” as listed in the 1995 CBC, Part 2, Title 24, Table 16A-0, “Equipment,” including equipment in the physical plant that service these areas.

    Exceptions: Seismic restraints need not be provided for cable trays, conduit and HVAC ducting. Seismic restraints may be omitted from piping systems, provided that an approved method of preventing release of the contents of the piping system in the event of a break is provided. Only elevator(s) selected to provide service to patient, surgical, obstetrical and ground floors during interruption of normal power need to meet the structural requirements of Part 2, Title 24.
  • Fire sprinkler systems comply with the bracing and anchorage requirements of NFPA 13, 1994 edition, or subsequent applicable standards.

    Exception: Acute care hospital facilities in both rural area as defined by Section 70059.1, Division 5 of Title 22 and Seismic Zone 3 shall comply with the bracing and anchorage requirements of NFPA 13, 1994 edition, or subsequent applicable standards by January 1, 2013.

Deadline: January 1, 2008 unless the building has an approved extension or exemption.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 11.1)

NPC 4

The building meets the criteria for NPC “3” and all architectural, mechanical, electrical systems, components and equipment, and hospital equipment meet the bracing and anchorage requirements of Part 2, Title 24. 

Deadline: January 1, 2020 or 2030 depending on the Seismic Design Category and extension request requirements.

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 11.1)

NPC 5

The building meets the criteria for NPC “4” and onsite supplies of water and holding tanks for sewage and liquid waste, sufficient to support 72 hours of emergency operations, are integrated into the building plumbing systems in accordance with the California Plumbing Code. An onsite emergency system as defined in the California Electrical Code is incorporated into the building electrical system for critical care areas. Additionally, the system shall provide for radiological service and an onsite fuel supply for 72 hours of acute care operation.

Deadline: January 1, 2030

(California Administrative Code, Chapter 6, Table 11.1)