by Brianna Crandall — September 12, 2014—To accelerate equipment selection and installation in earthquake-prone regions throughout the United States, Daikin Applied Skyline semi-custom outdoor air handler units now carry seismic certification from both California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) and the International Building Code (IBC).
A requirement for all components installed in California healthcare facilities, the recently earned OSHPD Special Seismic Certification ensures that Daikin Skyline units will survive and function after a seismic event.
The extensive OSHPD seismic testing on the Skyline outdoor air handler units was conducted by experts in seismic analysis and design at the University of California, Berkeley. Said to be a more rigorous testing process than the IBC code, OSHPD seismic certification was enacted by California to make sure essential services buildings such as hospitals, fire stations, police stations, emergency shelters and data centers remain operational following an earthquake.
In addition to the Skyline semi-custom outdoor air handler units, Daikin has met the requirements for OSHPD certification on Vision semi-custom indoor air handler units, Daikin Custom air handlers, and several of its most popular chiller lines including the Centrifugal single compressor chiller and dual compressor chiller, as well as the Magnitude magnetic bearing compressor chiller.
“Beyond ensuring survival after a seismic event, the OSPHD certification dramatically simplifies the seismic code compliance for a new construction or a modernization project,” said Glenn Wilson, marketing manager at Daikin Applied. “With Skyline air handlers as well as other Daikin Applied OSPHD and IBC seismic certified products, customers will realize faster approvals and ultimately shorter time to occupancy.”
For OSHPD certified air handler units, a certificate of compliance is available at the time of specification and submittal. All compliant products are shipped with a label of compliance, provided by the certifying agent for review by the inspecting authority.
Installation of OSHPD certified units requires the use of specific fasteners and predetermined spacing for anchoring bolts, points out Daikin. Product installation instructions are provided that clearly describe how to install the system in a manner supporting compliance with code requirements.
For more information about Daikin commercial, semi-custom and custom outdoor, indoor and rooftop air handlers, visit the company’s Web site. Daikin Applied is a member of global HVAC manufacturer Daikin Industries Ltd., a Fortune 1000 company with more than 51,000 employees worldwide.
