California Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development

Facilities Development Division (FDD) HAZUS Reassessment Program

OSHPD is currently implementing a new voluntary program to re-evaluate the seismic risk of hospital buildings classified as Structural Performance Category (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 and those 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 most recent summary of requests for HAZUS Re-assessments is available at: http://www.oshpd.ca.gov/FDD/Regulations/Triennial_Code_Adoption_Cycle/HAZUS_Summary_Report.pdf

If you have any questions regarding the HAZUS reassessment program, please contact Chris Tokas at (916) 654-8464 or by email at: CTokas@oshpd.ca.gov.

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