How many unsafe, soft-story apartment units are there in Orange County?
That question and similar ones about other counties in California led Optimum Seismic, Inc. and the U.S. Resiliency Council to team up with Esri, a leading mapping company, to combine resources to develop maps showing where thousands of potential soft […]
We don’t know exactly where or when the next major earthquake will strike, but we do know that quakes are inevitable in California and many other states.
It’s also clear what buildings will likely suffer the most severe damage from seismic shaking.
Beyond these facts, it’s wise to assess your apartment building’s […]
Most older apartment buildings fall short of today’s standards for earthquake safety and fail to offer the types of interior spaces tenants want.
If your apartment building was constructed before the mid-1970s, it could benefit from an upgrade of both its structural safety and functional design.
Many building owners in these circumstances […]
Chances are you felt at least one of the many earthquakes that rattled Southern California last month.
The initial 6.4-magnitude quake near the desert community of Ridgecrest was just a precursor to a larger 7.1-magnitude giant, with many other quakes to follow in the days succeeding these temblors.
It can be a […]
Few might think to turn to a brewery for lessons on earthquake resilience, but the Anheuser-Busch company knows the subject well.
When its brewery in Van Nuys suffered significant damage in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, the company decided to invest $11 million in retrofitting structures at the site to withstand the […]
Balconies are a significant draw for apartment renters, particularly in places with great weather like Los Angeles – considered one of the best climates on Earth. Balconies, decks and elevated walkways are a valuable amenity in Southern California’s multifamily real estate market — popular with renters for providing easy access […]
Apartment buildings in the Greater San Diego Area may sit on soil that is prone to liquefaction, landslides or other instability when shaken by an earthquake.
If your apartment building is located in Mission Bay, Mission Valley, Tierra Santa, Linda Vista, and many other San Diego communities, it’s best to have […]
Earthquakes have confused and terrified people throughout human history.
In ancient times, many people believed earthquakes were the result of angry gods, giants and huge animals.
The Japanese believed a giant catfish living at the bottom of the ocean would shake the Earth when he moved. The Greeks blamed Poseidon, the god […]
Many older homes and apartment buildings contain lead and asbestos. Owners sometimes downplay the health hazards these substances pose to humans and the environment. Some bypass the rules by removing these contaminants undercover — hoping that no one finds out.
Failure to comply with laws on the removal of these hazards […]
Earthquakes are a constant threat in California. “The Big One” can hit anytime, and cause severe damage to vulnerable apartment buildings, along with death and injuries.
Apartment buildings with a “soft-story” are particularly at-risk of earthquake damage. Soft-story buildings usually have a large, open ground floor space like a parking area, […]
