Page 55 - AAGLA-MAR 2022

Member Update
Get Straight Answers on Earthquake
IRetrofitting
By Ali Sahabi, Chief Operating Officer, Optimum Seismic
recently ran across the following question in a social media post:
Q: Is there a way to know how safe your apartment building is in case of an earthquake?
A: 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 assumes the building was not already damaged in ways that are 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 are 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 conducted on your building be thorough and complete in its analysis.
Nearly all California cities, when outlining the steps required for earthquake retrofitting 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.
The 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 any building code or safety requirement.
• Engineering studies 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 designed to work.
• Well-prepared engineering studies avoid potential delays and / or the need for costly corrections and revisions.
• Professional engineering studies greatly reduce 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 an earthquake retrofitting project.
• An engineering study minimizes the disturbance to the building occupants.
• An engineering study ensures better performance for a retrofit that is built according to proper plan.
• An engineering study also enables better coordination with other desired improvements and more cost effective remodeling and renovations.
Earthquake retrofitting projects are only as solid as the engineering behind them. Make sure yours is done right. To get started, call Optimum Seismic today at (833) 978-7664 or visit www.optimumseismic.com to arrange a complimentary evaluation of your building.
If you want to learn more attend the complimentary webinar entitled THE DEADLINE IS LOOMING: Now’s the Time to Retrofit Your Soft-Story Building! sponsored by Optimum Seismic in cooperation with the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles at Friday March 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
Ali Sahabi has been a licensed General Engineering Contractor (GEC) since 1993, and is a principal at Optimum Seismic, Inc. The company provides in-house engineering, steel fabrication and construction services. Optimum Seismic has completed more than 3,500 seismic retrofit, renovation, and construction projects for multifamily residential, commercial, and industrial buildings throughout California.
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