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Best Practices for Project Management, Design, and Construction of ...

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Section 2: Geologic Hazards Investigation <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong><br />

Introduction<br />

Identification <strong>of</strong> seismic <strong>and</strong> geologic hazards present on the site <strong>of</strong> a proposed hospital<br />

construction project occurs be<strong>for</strong>e the design <strong>of</strong> a building is begun. Seismic <strong>and</strong> geologic<br />

hazards affecting building construction <strong>and</strong> per<strong>for</strong>mance may include (but not be limited to) the<br />

following:<br />

• Potential earthquake shaking<br />

• Surface fault rupture<br />

• Earthquake-induced l<strong>and</strong>slides<br />

• Liquefaction<br />

• Slope instability<br />

• Weak <strong>and</strong>/or sensitive soils<br />

• Shallow groundwater<br />

• Flooding<br />

• Tsunami<br />

• Hazardous minerals<br />

It is important to note these hazards may occur in combination.<br />

Overview <strong>of</strong> the Process<br />

Among the documents included in hospital construction permit applications is a geologic hazards<br />

report. Chapters 16 <strong>and</strong> 16A (Structural <strong>Design</strong>), 18 & 18A (Soils <strong>and</strong> Foundations) <strong>and</strong> 34 <strong>and</strong><br />

34A (Existing Structures) <strong>of</strong> Part 2, Title 24, Cali<strong>for</strong>nia Code <strong>of</strong> Regulations, 2010 Cali<strong>for</strong>nia<br />

Building Code (CBC), address the required elements <strong>of</strong> seismic <strong>and</strong> geologic hazards reports to<br />

be prepared <strong>and</strong> signed by the registered engineering geologist <strong>of</strong> record (GOR) <strong>and</strong> registered<br />

geotechnical engineer <strong>of</strong> record (EOR).<br />

Applications <strong>for</strong> new projects are submitted to OSHPD, which <strong>for</strong>wards the seismic <strong>and</strong> geologic<br />

hazards report component to the Cali<strong>for</strong>nia Geological Survey (CGS) <strong>for</strong> review <strong>and</strong> comment.<br />

CGS geologists <strong>and</strong> seismologists provide technical in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>and</strong> advice to OSHPD regarding<br />

geologic hazards with the potential to adversely affect hospitals. Using CGS Note 48, Checklist<br />

<strong>for</strong> the Review <strong>of</strong> Engineering Geology <strong>and</strong> Seismology Reports <strong>for</strong> Cali<strong>for</strong>nia Public Schools,<br />

Hospitals, <strong>and</strong> Essential Services Buildings (2004, 2007, 2011), CGS’s staff prepare memor<strong>and</strong>a<br />

documenting their geologic reviews <strong>of</strong> hazard reports prepared by consultants. Of primary<br />

concern is compliance with the current building code. These review memor<strong>and</strong>a are submitted to<br />

OSHPD <strong>for</strong> incorporation into their project decision-making process.<br />

Site Investigation<br />

A site investigation is required to document the geologic conditions at the site. <strong>Project</strong>s will be<br />

rejected <strong>for</strong> failure to provide adequate <strong>and</strong>/or appropriate data. Prior to collecting data the GOR<br />

will conduct reconnaissance, such as review <strong>of</strong> historical air photos, geologic maps <strong>and</strong> data<br />

collected during previous work at the site, to underst<strong>and</strong> what potential geologic issues may exist<br />

at the site <strong>and</strong> plan an appropriate exploration strategy. Exploration methods will vary depending<br />

(OSHPD <strong>Best</strong> <strong>Practices</strong>) Page 7 DRAFT FINAL, Sept. 2011

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