subject: Minimize Loss With Earthquake Seismic Retrofit [print this page] Earthquakes are natural occurrences that can cause massive destruction to property, and not to mention, human safety and loss of life. Giant slabs of rock (tectonic plates) on the Earth's top layer constantly move, slide, collide, and rub against each other causing numerous tremors or quakes to occur everyday, although we usually don't feel it. Once in a while, massive vibrations are released when immense stress builds up hundreds of miles under the surface and gets released between plates near the surface, and cause high magnitude earthquakes that can cause huge devastation.
An average of one major earthquake happens every year, which can cause massive loss of life of up to 10,000 people, usually from collapsing buildings, and aftershocks, which may cause mud slides, fires, floods and sometimes tsunamis too. Casualties and major property loss can be avoided with the right planning, awareness, and earthquake seismic retrofitting of properties that allow the constructions to adapt to the vibrations rather than break, making them more resistant, or rather resilient to the effects of the earthquake.
Earthquake prone areas normally recommend, if not require, seismic retrofitting on most structures to ensure public safety, although no structure has ever been proven to be earthquake proof, undergoing seismic retrofitting will definitely make a structure safer and give the property and the people inside a higher chance of survival and evacuation even during a high intensity quake. Almost all types of structures can undergo seismic retrofitting, from tall buildings, bridges, to commercial establishments and private homes.
Investing in earthquake seismic retrofit for your home has several advantages apart from the safety and security of your family when the next big quake hits, and it will also minimize your financial loss if any in terms of property damage. Unless the earthquake that hits your area is of an extremely high magnitude, chances of your property surviving unscathed is very high, not to mention the fact that although we don't feel it, minor tremors occur everyday and can eventually take its toll on your home, and a seismic retrofit will ensure your home not incurring any cracks or damage from these daily tremors that may eventually cause you bigger problems in the future.
In reality, no home or property will ever be earthquake proof especially when a high magnitude quake strikes, but if your home has undergone earthquake preparation, this will give you and your family ample time to gather your bearings and evacuate or at least proceed to a safer zone.
Having seismic retrofitting done to your home can make your insurance premiums lower, make you more eligible for bank loans, and boost your home's market value if ever you want to sell it.. Seismic retrofitting must be done by highly skilled contractors, so when you decide to have your homes retrofitted, choose a professional contractor who uses the latest in retrofitting standards as well as follow the government's building codes..
There are several steps to earthquake seismic retrofitting such as adding trusses and girders and creating connections in your house's foundation to ensure that load is distributed evenly throughout the structure, this way pressure is not concentrated on one particular area of the house and allows it to adjust whichever way the earthquake is causing the tremors. The age of the house and the land it sits on are some of the factors to be considered when undergoing seismic retrofitting, which is why you have to get a contractor who is very knowledgeable, skilled and has extensive experience to have you be assured that he will deliver quality work..
If you are looking to have your home undergo a seismic retrofit, you can expect your contractor to inspect around the perimeter, inside and under your house, to determine if your house needs to undergo it or not, and if recommended, your contractor will proceed with measuring the perimeter and creating a foundation plan, taking into consideration your house's current foundation, and if your house has special features that need to be taken into consideration. After your contractor has inspected your property, he will come up with a plan to present to you the full details of the project and the extent of work that needs to be done, and of course the costs involved, and once these details are presented to you, you can now approve all the details or request necessary changes as needed, and then your contractor can proceed with the work.
After you approve your contractors-presented plans and costs for your seismic retrofitting, your contractor will proceed with the scheduling of the work which can take anywhere from one day to one week depending on your home's requirements permitting, which can normally be issued over the counter although some cities have a one to two week waiting period, and then they will proceed with the installation that will be followed by a final, signed approval from the city inspector.
An earthquake seismic retrofit can keep your home safe during minor earthquakes but does not hold the same guarantee for major ones, so it is best for you and your family to be prepared for such a catastrophe by having an emergency kit that includes battery operated lights and radio with extra batteries, First-Aid kit, bottled water, medical supplies and around two weeks worth of food.
During an earthquake, if you are in your house, stay there and protect yourself from falling objects by finding a safe location with a strong structure such as under a strong desk, or along an interior wall. If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings, power-lines and trees, which might collapse. But the best way to survive an earthquake is to undergo earthquake preparation for your home and yourselves so that you will know how to handle such a situation..
