Seismic Retrofitting
Seismic retrofitting is the modification of existing structures to make them more resistant to seismic activity, ground motions or soil failure due to earthquakes. With better understanding of seismic demand on structures the need for 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. The goal of a retrofit is to secure/bolt down a structure to the concrete foundation. During a seismic event these reinforcements minimize the damage to a structure.
Seismic retrofitting is more than a good idea –
in some cases, it is the law.
(Source: San Francisco Department of Building Inspection)
The Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Program (MSSP) was created in 2013 as a multi-year community-based effort led by the Earthquake Safety Implementation Program and enforced by the Department of Building Inspection to ensure the safety and resilience of San Francisco’s housing stock through the retrofit of older, wood-framed, multi-family buildings with a soft-story condition.
As part of this program, all affected property owners were noticed beginning in September 2013 and were required to have submitted their screening forms to DBI by September 15, 2014. DBI has achieved over a 99% response to the program.
