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Q-PAC Multimotor Plenum Fan Achieves HCAI Seismic Certification
HCAI OSP-0875 approval provides a code-compliant, seismically certified fan solution for critical facilities and retrofit air handlers.
www.q-pac.com
Q-PAC has announced that its Multimotor Plenum Fan (MPF) has received HCAI Special Seismic Certification Preapproval OSP-0875, providing engineers with a fully certified fan system for use in high-seismic regions and essential facilities.
The certification makes the Q-PAC MPF a compliant option for both new construction and retrofit air handler projects that must meet International Building Code (IBC 2024) and California Building Code (CBC 2025) seismic requirements.
Full-scale seismic testing to ICC-ES AC156
The MPF system was certified under HCAI’s Special Seismic Certification Preapproval program following full-scale, three-dimensional shake table testing to ICC-ES AC156 criteria for nonstructural components. Testing was conducted at the University of Nevada, Reno, and included the complete fan assembly: all plug fan models, the supporting frame, and the Q-PAC control panel.
The results were independently reviewed and approved by a California-licensed structural engineer and accepted by HCAI, confirming compliance with current seismic design standards.
Certified performance in high-seismic environments
Under OSP-0875, the Q-PAC Multimotor Plenum Fan is certified for:
- SDS up to 2.50 g for grade-level installations
- SDS up to 1.61 g for roof or elevated installations (including height effects)
With an importance factor (Ip) of 1.5, the system is designed to remain anchored and operational following a design-level earthquake—an essential requirement for hospitals, laboratories and other mission-critical facilities.
Benefits for new construction and retrofit projects
For new construction, the certification simplifies approval when the air handler already carries a seismic OSP and specifies a fan array. In such cases, the Q-PAC MPF can be treated as an equivalent preapproved fan system when mounting conditions—such as four-sided support, sheet-metal thickness and fastener patterns—are comparable.
For retrofit applications, the MPF supports a structured approach in seismically active markets:
Benefits for new construction and retrofit projects
For new construction, the certification simplifies approval when the air handler already carries a seismic OSP and specifies a fan array. In such cases, the Q-PAC MPF can be treated as an equivalent preapproved fan system when mounting conditions—such as four-sided support, sheet-metal thickness and fastener patterns—are comparable.
For retrofit applications, the MPF supports a structured approach in seismically active markets:
- Replacing certified fan arrays in existing seismically approved air handlers is typically low risk when weight and mounting conditions are similar.
- Legacy or non-certified air handlers, blower-based systems or very high-SDS installations may still require site-specific engineering, but OSP-0875 provides strong supporting test evidence.
Standalone seismic approval enables retrofit flexibility
A key differentiator of the Q-PAC MPF is that it carries standalone HCAI seismic preapproval, rather than being tied to a specific OEM air handler cabinet. Its modular design allows the system to be transported through doors and elevators and assembled inside existing mechanical rooms—making it one of the few seismically certified fan solutions suitable for complex retrofit environments.
Q-PAC supports installations with engineering letters and documentation that link the tested configuration to the proposed field installation, helping design teams and inspectors verify compliance during plan review and inspection.
Supporting California’s 2030 hospital seismic deadline
The OSP-0875 certification also aligns with California’s 2030 hospital seismic compliance requirements, which mandate that general acute care hospital buildings remain operational following seismic events. With this approval, the Q-PAC Multimotor Plenum Fan offers hospitals and critical facilities a certified solution designed to stay anchored and continue operating during and after an earthquake.
www.q-pac.com
A key differentiator of the Q-PAC MPF is that it carries standalone HCAI seismic preapproval, rather than being tied to a specific OEM air handler cabinet. Its modular design allows the system to be transported through doors and elevators and assembled inside existing mechanical rooms—making it one of the few seismically certified fan solutions suitable for complex retrofit environments.
Q-PAC supports installations with engineering letters and documentation that link the tested configuration to the proposed field installation, helping design teams and inspectors verify compliance during plan review and inspection.
Supporting California’s 2030 hospital seismic deadline
The OSP-0875 certification also aligns with California’s 2030 hospital seismic compliance requirements, which mandate that general acute care hospital buildings remain operational following seismic events. With this approval, the Q-PAC Multimotor Plenum Fan offers hospitals and critical facilities a certified solution designed to stay anchored and continue operating during and after an earthquake.
www.q-pac.com
