Are seismic (earthquake) retrofits a good business investment?

There are several benefits to seismic retrofits including the following: Mitigate Risk and Liability Increase Property Value Avoid Construction Cost Inflation Insurance Reductions Increase Marketability Resiliency and Tenant Retention   Therefore, the obvious answer is absolutely it is a good idea to invest in your assets. Studies show that seismic retrofits are a good investment […]

How many aftershocks come after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake?

Just last month, Northern California had a 6.0 magnitude earthquake near the California-Nevada border. According to ABC News, “The quake jolted both sides of the California-Nevada state line, tossed boulders onto a major roadway and was felt as far off as Las Vegas and even San Francisco, with days of aftershocks predicted, authorities said.” And, […]

Types of Buildings & Seismic Retrofits

There are many types of buildings when it comes to seismic retrofits including concrete tilt-up, URM (unreinforced masonry), non-ductile, steel frame and soft-story. Concrete Tilt- up: Early designs of these building types (Before 1997), had limited or weak connections from the roof to walls and continuity ties. With current engineering knowledge, it is well understood […]

Does my building qualify for a seismic retrofit?

How do I know if my building needs a seismic retrofit? What are the qualifying factors for a seismic retrofit? Are there specific features to look for in the building structure? Does there have to be structural damage? Does my building need to be near a seismic fault line to need to a seismic retrofit? […]

How vulnerable is your soft-story (apartment) building to earthquake damage?

Soft-story apartment buildings are prevalent in Los Angeles and Orange County which are also considered earthquake-prone territories, specifically Los Angeles. Soft-story / apartment buildings are at risk of earthquake damage however; seismic retrofits will help mitigate the destruction for vulnerable structures. The main feature Soft-story buildings are easily recognized by is also the main reason […]

The type of building is a major factor in respect to which are most at risk for damage from an earthquake

There are several types of buildings including soft-story, tilt-up, steel moment frame, non-ductile concrete and URM (unreinforced masonry). What are their characteristics and what can be determined are vulnerable when faced with enduring an earthquake? Soft-story structures are common among apartment buildings that are characterized by open parking on the ground floor and dwelling units […]

Seismic Retrofit Scope of work

Seismic Retrofit Scope of work (Typical)  Assumptions used in the budget to develop a scope of work Measures that would enhance the building’s performance during due diligence and site investigation for the structure. The proposed retrofit measures would include some or all including the following in order to reduce the risk to building occupants and […]

Hiring A Seismic Retrofitting Company

The main goal to any seismic retrofitting job is to keep your building from collapsing or sustaining irreparable damage in the event of an earthquake. Because California is one of the most seismically active states in the country, this type of project is a must for any property owner within the state. Retrofits are specifically designed […]

Key Techniques for Seismic Retrofitting

Seismic retrofitting is a process that modifies existing structures to make them more impervious to events such as earthquakes and tremors. If you own an existing tilt-up or non-ductile concrete building in an earthquake-prone area and want to be confident that it will withstand a natural disaster, seismic retrofitting is an excellent strategy. Depending on the type […]