General FAQs

1. What is SQX?

Seismic Qualification Exchange (SQX) is a complimentary web-site of Makeitright, Inc. that was designed to serve its stakeholders (equipment manufacturers, regulating agencies, design professionals, contractors, inspectors, and hospital representatives) in the design and development of Occupancy Category IV Buildings. The site is a repository of important information regarding the Special Seismic Certification of equipment.

2. What value will SQX provide to me?

If you are a Contributor User, SQX offers you the opportunity to promote your product and services. SQX was developed by Joseph La Brie, SE. La Brie has been in the design and construction business for nearly 30 years, and created this website because he recognized a need within the industry for a repository of detailed information about quality manufacturers and their products. Droves of industry members will be able to find in-depth descriptions and details about your products and services. Here you will be able to access and compare industry equipment information. SQX streamlines your research so that you can make an informed, educated decision about the equipment and services you use while giving access to required equipment information regarding the structural integrity of equipment.

3. What are the two different types of SQX User options?

Contributor Users must create a user profile—complete with username, password and contact information. A Contributor has the ability to view, upload, download, add, edit and delete content on the website. Public Users need not create a user profile. Public Users have the ability to search SQX’s complimentary equipment database for equipment information, as well as view and download that information.

4. How do I decide which type of User I should be?

One should choose to be a Contributor User if they have information about a product or service they would like to share with the public, or if they would like access to and inclusion in the directory. One should choose to be a Public User if they are interested in learning about a product or service provided on the website, or if they would like to search SQX’s complimentary equipment database for equipment information.

5. How much does it cost to become a User of SQX?

There is NO cost associated with becoming a Contributor or Public User. The website is complimentary service provided by Makeitright, Inc.

6. If I become a Contributor User and create a User Profile, will the general public have access to my contact information?

No. Public Users will NOT have access to your contact information. Other Contributor Users, however, WILL have access to the Contributor User Directory, where they will be able to access your contact information.

7. Who is Makeitright, Inc.

Makeitright, Inc. is a design firm that specializes in the development of hospital building facilities in California. For more information, please visit the Makeitright website at: www.makeitright.net .

8. Who reviews and accepts the testing required for a Seismic Certification?

Test reports shall be reviewed and accepted by an independent California licensed Structural Engineer (For more information, contact the staff at MakeItRight, Inc.)

9. I am a manufacturer and want to obtain a Seismic Certification for a piece of equipment. How do I do this? Who can review and accept my equipment's testing?

Requirements of Seismic Certification must be satisfied by one of the following methods:
1. Project-specific design and documentation prepared by and submitted by a registered design professional. 2. Submittal of the manufacturer's certification that the component is seismically qualified by:

a. Analysis
b. Testing
c. Experience data

A registered Structural Engineer can review and accept the data supporting a piece of equipment's certification.

10. Does SQX provide code compliant information for equipment requiring "Special Seismic Certification" as well as "Seismic Certification?"

The content uploaded is left to the disgression of the Contributor Users. The content uploaded by the users is not reviewed for compliance with any code or standard by the sponsor of the website. It is left to the discretion of the user to verify the acceptability of the content used.

11. Is an OSHPD Pre-Approval (OPA) the same as a Special Seismic Certification?

No. The requirements of the OPA program is different from the requirements for a Special Seismic Certification.

12. Does SQX include content for OSHPD Pre-Approvals?

Yes, where manufacturers have obtained an OSHPD Pre-Approval and wish to make it available to the public.

13. Has all of the equipment on SQX already obtained pre-approval from OSHPD?

Makeitright, Inc. does not control, review or validate any content uploaded by Contributor Users. It is the responsibility of the user downloading the information to verify the acceptability of the content for its intended use.

Code FAQs

1. What is the significance of "Component Importance Factor?"

Design supports and attachments for all nonstructural components in OSHPD 1 facilities shall have a Component Importance Factor of 1.5. Component Importance Factor is 1.5 if any of the following conditions apply:

1. The component is required to function for life-safety purposes after an earthquake, including fire protection sprinkler systems.
2. The component contains hazardous materials.
3. The component is in or attached to an Occupancy Category IV structure and it is needed for continued operation of the facility or its failure could impair the continued operation of the facility.

An equipment importance factor of 1.5 indicates that equipment was evaluated for functionality following the seismic event as defined by ASCE-7. This importance factor is indicative of critical facilities where maximizing the probability of post event functionality is a priority.

2. Can the Special Seismic Certification be submitted to OSHPD as a deferred submittal on a project?

Yes, with the understanding that OSHPD has sole discretion as to the certifications that may be deferred and under the following conditions:

1. Construction documents submitted to the appropriate region shall include a Special Seismic Certification Deferred Submittal table indicating the name of the equipment or nonstructural component requiring certification, the projected date the certification will be submitted to OSHPD and the project's projected construction start date.
2. The equipment or nonstructural component shall not be installed until the Special Seismic Certification has been approved by OSHPD.

3. What is the difference between "Seismic Certification" and "Special Seismic Certification?"

Seismic Certification refers to a manufacturer's certification for architectural, mechanical, and electrical components, supports and attachments pursuant to either project-specific design submitted by a registered design professional, or by analysis, testing or experience data as outlined in ASCE/SEI 7-05 Section 13.2. Special Seismic Certification refers to the seismic certification of mechanical and electrical equipment that must remain operable, and any hazardous materials containers that must maintain containment, following the design earthquake.

4. What testing is required for Seismic Certification?

Any dynamic or static test standard adopted in the 2007 CBC or reference standards adopted by the 2007 CBC are acceptable. Tests must be reviewed an accepted by an independent registered Structural Engineer (For more information, contact the staff at MakeItRight, Inc.). Dynamic Test- Unless specified otherwise in the test standard, a minimum of two tests is required. Where a range of products is tested, the two tests can be on different size products as required by design changes in the internal structures. (Exception: When a single product (and not a product line with more than one product with variations) and manufacturing process is certified, OSHPD may accept one dynamic test). Static Test- Unless otherwise specified, a minimum of three tests is required. The average of the three tests shall be used in determining capacity. The Co-efficient of Variation (COV) of the test results shall not exceed 12%. Test Report- The test report shall include a complete force-deformation curve of the tested specimens, to the point where residual strength is no greater than 20% of the peak strength, complete fracture occurs or the loading protocol stops. The failure modes from the individual tests shall be documented with descriptions and photos.

5. Will OSHPD Accept third party listing for Special Seismic Certification? If so, what are the requirements for such acceptance?

Yes, if the following are satisfied:

1. A certification of compliance is provided with the seismic capacity of the equipment in terms of g-levels and the site demand of the project or blanket certificate with the demand for the region or location where the equipment is planned to be installed.
2. The certificate of compliance identifies the manufacturer of the equipment and the certification agency (test laboratory or company performing analysis).
3. For certification by testing, the certificate of compliance identifies the Listing Agency as an accredited agency by ICC-IAS.
4. Certification by analysis shall satisfy the requirements set forth in CAN 2-1708A.5 Section 4.1.
5. Special seismic certification documentations shall be reviewed and accepted by a California Registered Structural Engineer (Contact the staff at MakeItRight).

6. Are special inspections for seismic resistance required if a piece of equipment has Seismic Certification?

Yes. The special inspector shall examine designated systems requiring seismic certification and verify that the label, anchorage or mounting conforms to the certificate of compliance.