University of California - Seismic Safety Policy Update

Overview of the University of California's (UC) efforts and challenges in updating its seismic safety policies and actions to comply with those policies. Finance and Capital Strategies Committee, National Laboratories Committee meeting January 24, 2024

Highlights:

UC has initiated a voluntary seismic safety program in response to the OSHPD mandate for hospitals to complete seismic upgrades by 2030. This program builds upon our 1975 seismic safety standards, extending beyond the state's requirements to include all non-OSHPD facilities used in university operations. This comprehensive approach underscores our commitment to a broader spectrum of seismic safety across the university.

While UC is not obligated to align our buildings with the stringent standards set for new constructions, UC leadership has chosen to exceed these minimum requirements. This decision is driven by a commitment to minimize potential risks to our community, demonstrating a proactive approach to seismic safety.

Policy Updates and Building Assessments:

• The last significant updates to the UC seismic policy were made in 2017, introducing requirements to assess all buildings and assign a Seismic Performance Rating (SPR) by 2021.

• As of now, 6,000 assessments have been completed. 70% of UC assets have an SPR of four or less, indicating compliance. 30% of UC-owned space has ratings of five or six, below the standard for new constructions. A few buildings have an SPR of seven, the lowest rating.

Progress and Compliance:

• The non-compliant space has been reduced from 47 million square feet to 42.5 million square feet, a decrease of about 10% over the past three years. This progress was made through 30 retrofits, the demolition of 25 buildings, and reclassification after detailed assessments.

• Currently, 450 seismic evaluations are either in progress or planned. Despite the progress, 30% of UC space, approximately 43 million square feet, remains non-compliant with seismic safety standards. 

  • 10 projects are in construction for retrofit

  • 170 planned for demolition

  • 24 more projects approved for construction

Funding and Financial Challenges:

• The total need for seismic upgrades is estimated at nearly $14 billion, and the overall cost, including other renewal needs, is $20 billion.

• 75% of the space is state-eligible, but the state has not provided substantial one-time funding to address these needs, leading UC to prioritize projects based on available funds.

• UC has self-financed $650 million for seismic upgrades over the past nine years, averaging $72 million annually. However, a significant funding gap is required for all necessary work.

Policy Revision and Future Plans:

• UC is revising its seismic safety policy to focus on continual improvement rather than meeting a deadline, acknowledging the challenge of achieving 100% compliance by 2030.

• This revised approach includes prioritizing buildings based on factors like equivalent continuous occupancy to ensure high-use buildings like dorms are addressed sooner.

• The policy adjustment will also better include leased spaces in UC's compliance efforts, addressing previous policy shortcomings unduly focused on leased versus owned space.

Comparative Context and Reporting:

• It was noted that other state agencies, like the California State University (CSU) system and the Department of General Services, have not fully assessed their buildings, nor have they set stringent deadlines for seismic upgrades.

• Future reports will include comprehensive updates on UC's seismic safety efforts across all occupied spaces, including leased properties.