Q: Is there a way to know how safe your apartment building is in case of an earthquake? 

One person answered that if the apartment is still standing, it has survived everything until now — wrongly implying the building must be able to withstand a major earthquake because it has done so in the past.  Also, it also assumed the building was not already damaged in ways that were not yet evident.

A better response came from someone much more practical and informed:

A: There are many complex factors to consider – soil type, foundation type, building design, building materials, retrofitting, etc.  And of course, the severity of the quake and distance from the epicenter makes the most difference.

Every building and every earthquake is different. Science and engineering are the only true predictors of how a structure will hold up in a major earthquake.

To understand what modern science says about your building, get a well-prepared engineering study.  That is your first line of defense. It is very important that the study done on your building be thorough and complete in its analysis.

Nearly all California cities, when outlining the steps required for a seismic retrofit of soft-story buildings, require engineering plans to assess and map out the existing conditions of the building and to explain the logic behind the work proposed to retrofit it.

Benefits of an Engineering Study

Engineering requires hard data and analysis. A thorough and precise engineering study identifies the most effective way to fortify a building and preserve valuable parking spaces. It can also help to lessen other impacts to tenants.

  • Engineering studies can help you meet or exceed the requirements of your building
  • They provide a detailed scope of work to be done so apartment owners can get multiple bids on an exact project that is mathematically and technically design to work
  • Well-prepared engineering studies avoid permitting delays and/or the need for costly corrections and revisions
  • Professional engineering greatly reduces liabilities for owners should something go wrong

The first step is to create what is called “as-built” drawings of the structure. These illustrations indicate all details of the building. Everything from the spacing between the windows to the locations of the walls and columns are factored into the design of the project.

The benefits of a detailed and complete engineering plan are clear:

  • Proper engineering optimizes the cost of a retrofit
  • It minimizes the disturbance to the building occupants
  • It ensures better performance for a retrofit that is built according to proper plan
  • It also enables better coordination with other desired improvements and more cost-effective remodeling and renovations

Earthquake retrofits are only as solid as the engineering behind them. Make sure yours is done right. To get started, call Optimum Seismic at 833-978-7664 or visit www.optimumseismic.com to arrange a complimentary evaluation of your apartment building.