Earthquake Preparedness for Commercial & Multi-Family Buildings

Written by Saunders Seismic on 17th April 2025

Earthquakes happen without warning. For commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties, the damage can be immediate—and long-lasting. Yet many property owners remain unprepared, leaving buildings, businesses, and occupants vulnerable.

This guide walks you through the most effective ways to strengthen your structure, protect the people inside, and reduce your long-term exposure to costly repairs, liability, and downtime.

Why Earthquake Preparedness Matters

Commercial property owners face enormous financial and safety risks when an earthquake hits. Many businesses never recover after a disaster. Even newer buildings may be code-compliant without being structurally resilient.

Here’s why taking action before the next earthquake is essential:

Businesses that don’t prepare often fail after a quake
California building codes focus on life safety, not complete structural protection
Tenants and insurers prefer safer, more resilient buildings
Retrofitting improves market value and limits liability

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates a high likelihood of major earthquakes in multiple U.S. regions, including California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Missouri, and South Carolina—some with a greater than 60% chance of a magnitude 6.7+ earthquake within the next 30 years.

Prepare Before the Shaking Starts

Proactive planning can save lives and prevent catastrophic losses. Here’s how to strengthen your property and safety protocols:

Category	Action Items
Building Strength and Safety	Schedule a seismic risk assessment with a contractor who specializes in retrofits and structural repairs. Additional issues beyond seismic vulnerabilities may also be identified during this evaluation. Partner with an experienced seismic engineer to identify and address vulnerabilities. Explore retrofitting options to strengthen structural weak points. Inspect and maintain your roof, attic, and walls for leaks or moisture damage. Secure heavy equipment, utilities, and furniture. Upgrade nail patterns and roof supports as needed.
Emergency Supplies and Records	Store essential documents (insurance, contact lists, backups) in secure containers. Stock a commercial earthquake safety kit with water, first aid, tools, and batteries.
Occupant Safety and Emergency Procedures	Assign team members to perform sweep checks and roll calls after an earthquake. Create and post evacuation routes throughout the building. Define communication protocols to report emergencies and notify first responders. Establish shutdown procedures for machinery, equipment, or building systems that may pose hazards post-quake. Train staff on emergency roles, evacuation routes, and shutdown procedures. Conduct regular earthquake drills and safety meetings.

Seismic upgrades and safety planning reduce downtime after an earthquake, helping you maintain operations and avoid costly disruptions.

Note: In some jurisdictions, a seismic retrofit may trigger ADA or code compliance upgrades, such as accessible entrances or path-of-travel improvements. A qualified contractor can help you anticipate these requirements.

Protecting Tenants in Multi-Family Buildings

For multi-family buildings, earthquake preparedness must also consider residential tenants. While most emergency planning happens behind the scenes, a few proactive steps can help residents stay calm and informed during an earthquake.

Post simple safety instructions in shared areas like lobbies, mailrooms, and stairwells
Provide tenants with emergency contact info and evacuation routes in advance
Coordinate with property managers or leasing staff to address questions or concerns

Taking these steps not only helps protect tenants but also reduces liability and improves tenant retention after a seismic event.

What to Do During and After an Earthquake

When an earthquake hits, quick and calm responses reduce harm. Make sure everyone on your team knows what to do.

During the quake:

Drop, cover, and hold on
Stay indoors and move away from windows or shelves
If outside, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines
If driving, pull over safely and avoid bridges or overpasses

After the quake:

Check for injuries
Look for visible damage and hazards like broken glass or unstable ceilings
Evacuate if you smell gas or detect water or electrical line damage
Unplug large appliances if power is out
Document any building damage
Have your building professionally inspected before reentry

Know If Your Building Is at Risk

Some buildings are more vulnerable than others, especially those constructed before 1998. Your property may be at elevated risk if it falls into one of the following categories:

Concrete tilt-up buildings
Multi-family apartments and mixed-use buildings (soft-story)
Older concrete frame or non-ductile concrete structures
Steel frame buildings
Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings

A professional risk assessment identifies structural weaknesses and helps prioritize needed upgrades. These assessments also provide valuable insight into your building’s potential losses using modern seismic risk metrics:

Scenario Expected Loss (SEL): The average level of damage expected in a seismic event, typically calculated at a 50% confidence level.
Scenario Upper Loss (SUL): A more conservative estimate reflecting the level of damage with a 90% confidence level of non-exceedance.

Understanding SEL and SUL helps owners make informed decisions about retrofitting, insurance, and long-term planning. Lowering these loss metrics through structural upgrades can also improve tenant confidence and increase your building’s value in the eyes of lenders and insurers.

Seismic Retrofitting: A Smart, Strategic Investment

Seismic retrofitting reinforces the structure of your building to withstand earthquake forces better. It offers both short- and long-term benefits:

Lowers the chance of collapse or structural failure
Reduces SEL and insurance risk
Protects occupants and prevents costly lawsuits
Improves long-term property value and tenant retention
May be required in your jurisdiction

A Saunders Retrofit works around your business needs—minimizing tenant disruption, protecting rental income, and often completed while buildings remain fully occupied.

Secure Your Building—Before the Next Quake

Retrofitting a commercial or multi-family building is not a DIY job. It requires an experienced seismic contractor who understands structural engineering, code requirements, and how to reinforce critical load paths. Choosing the right contractor reduces your risk of delays, code issues, and unnecessary costs.

At Saunders Seismic, we work with business owners to deliver practical, code-compliant retrofits that reduce liability and safeguard occupants. Our in-house crews, field expertise, and clear communication make the retrofit process more predictable—and far less disruptive to tenants in occupied buildings.

If your commercial or multi-family property hasn’t been evaluated recently, now is the time. Earthquake Preparedness Month is a perfect reminder to take action.

Contact Saunders Seismic to schedule a risk assessment and discuss retrofit solutions tailored to your building.