Why Consider a Seismic Retrofit for Your Commercial Building?

Seismic retrofitting is the modification of existing structures to make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motion, or soil failure due to earthquakes.

With better understanding of seismic demand on structures and with our recent experiences, the need of seismic retrofitting is well acknowledged. Prior to the introduction of modern seismic codes in the late 1960s, many structures were designed without adequate detailing and reinforcement for seismic protection.

Why have seismic retrofitting on your commercial property? Here are just a few reasons:

• Easy to sell – More buyers and investors will be attracted to the security a seismic retrofitted structure provides tenants.
• Improved safety – The obvious goal of a seismic retrofit is to protect the occupants of the building as well any pedestrians passing by. Through the use of such techniques as Roof to wall connections, continuity ties, brace or moment steel frames, shear walls and other technics. Buildings can be significantly protected against moderate earthquakes. With a seismic retrofit, more severe quakes may cause some damage to the structure but it should not fail completely.
• Reduced repair and maintenance costs – Earthquakes are a fact of life along the West coast of the U.S.. Even small ones can do a lot of damage to unprepared buildings. Retrofitting can actually save considerable cost due to tenant relocations, business disruption, and loss of revenue. This does not even take into account the furniture and fixtures inside the building nor the cost of injury to the occupants.
• Reduced earthquake insurance premium – It is a simple fact of the commercial real estate business that earthquake insurance will be expensive. A seismic retrofit will reduce your premiums – by lowering the probable maximum loss – and can even pay for themselves in as little as two to six years. In short, any building owner planning for the long term should consider a seismic retrofit to increase their return on investment.
• Reduced risk of injury.

To get started today or for more information, contact us today to schedule a FREE on-site inspection by our team of soft-story experts or call us now at (818)287-8002.

Posted on Wednesday, June 12th, 2019.