California Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development

Facilities Development Division (FDD) HAZUS Reassessment Program

The HAZUS Reassessment Program is a voluntary program to re-evaluate the seismic risk of hospital buildings classified as Structural Performance Category 1 (SPC-1). These buildings are considered hazardous and at risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake and must be retrofitted, replaced or removed from providing acute care services by 2013.

OSHPD is using HAZARDS U.S. (HAZUS), a state-of-the-art methodology, to reassess the seismic risk of SPC-1 buildings. Buildings that are determined to pose a low seismic risk may be reclassified to SPC-2. The SPC-2 buildings would have until 2030 to comply with the structural seismic safety standards.

Participation in the HAZUS program is optional for hospital owners wishing to have their SPC-1 building(s) re-evaluated.

New HAZUS Emergency Regulations are effective February 13, 2010.

The following summaries of HAZUS Re-Assessment requests are available:

• HAZUS Re-assessments under the 2007 California Building Code
• HAZUS Re-Assessments under the 2010 California Building Code

Questions regarding the HAZUS reassessment programmay be directed to the Seismic Retrofit Group.

HAZUS is featured in the Governor's Health Care Reform Initiative as the "Worst First" Compliance with Hospital Seismic Safety Requirements.