SEISMIC RETROFITTING IN MARIN COUNTY
Victor Construction & Engineering is committed to providing the best earthquake retrofitting services in San Francisco and Marin County. The importance of earthquake retrofitting cannot be overstated, especially in California, where the probability of experiencing a significant earthquake in the next 30 years is high. The effectiveness of retrofitting has been demonstrated in past events, such as the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, where retrofitted structures sustained little to no damage. Our team uses the most modern techniques and methods to ensure your property is prepared to withstand seismic activity, safeguarding your investment and ensuring the safety of its occupants.
ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM
California has a 99% chance of having an earthquake with a magnitude 6.7 or larger within the next 30 years. For the first time, earthquakes in California can be forecast. Therefore, earthquake retrofitting is an essential step for California homeowners to protect their properties and ensure the safety of their occupants.
An earthquake of about the same magnitude as the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake is likely to occur again. Ultimately, if this happens, the strength will be much greater, potentially causing catastrophic damage if proper precautions are not taken. Earthquake retrofits need to be implemented to mitigate these risks and safeguard structures.
VCE offers residential and commercial earthquake retrofitting services throughout San Francisco and Marin County. Our expert team is dedicated to enhancing the resilience of your property against seismic activity, providing peace of mind and security for you and your loved ones.
Click here for earthquake retrofitting frequently asked questions and answers.
EARTHQUAKE RETROFITTING: DAMAGE THAT CAN OCCUR AND HOW WE ADDRESS IT
Earthquake retrofitting is the modification of existing structures to create resistance to seismic activity in addition to ground motion and soil failure.
Earthquake retrofitting is physical as well as technical work. Accordingly, it involves more than just foundation bolting. Seismic retrofitting involves foundation anchors/bolts, shear panels, and framing connectors. However, these must be installed to specific standards in order to achieve the desired result. Therefore, we go the extra mile to ensure safety and security.
The strengthening methods used by Victor Construction & Engineering are intended to reduce the likelihood of your home being damaged in an earthquake.
Earthquake forces can affect your home in three ways — sliding, racking and/or overturning.
Seismic failures occur when a building is displaced from its concrete foundation. It also happens when walls below main floor areas collapse. In the first case, improvement consists of strengthening the connections between the building and the foundation. Improvements to prevent the second type of failure consist of supplementing connections to the foundation as well as strengthening the supporting walls.
Our Earthquake Retrofitting Process
VCE offers commercial and residential earthquake retrofitting services. Our earthquake retrofitting process is very scientific. We use physics to ensure a building does not fall down in an earthquake. Additionally, we use a formula to determine exactly what a house needs. The application of these scientific principles to an existing building is called seismic retrofitting.
The strength of your home, as well as its earthquake vulnerabilities, can be determined through a visual inspection. Our trained earthquake specialists conduct these on-site. Typically, this person will make recommendations for strengthening as well as dependability. Ultimately, it will reduce the risk of both damage to the property and personal injury.
TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
- Secure bookshelves, cabinets, and other tall furniture to the walls using brackets or straps.
- Ensure your building is bolted to its foundation, reinforce cripple walls, and add shear walls.
- Identify safe places indoors to take cover, such as under tables or against walls away from windows.
- Prepare an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, and a first-aid kit.
- Keep tools like a wrench to turn off gas valves, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle to signal for help.
- Learn how to shut off the gas supply, water, and electricity.
OTHER SEISMIC RELATED REPAIRS WE ADDRESS:
- Seismic/earthquake evaluations that are comprehensive, professionally engineered, and easy to understand
- House-to-foundation anchoring
- Foundation cripple wall upgrading
- Professionally engineered systems
- Sloped site footing alterations
- Chimney strengthening
- Whole-house earthquake retrofitting
