Drop, Cover, and Hold On or other recommended actions such as Lock (wheels), Cover, and Hold On – if you feel shaking or get an alert. Your past experience in […]

No Foundation The Problem Some older houses were built on wood beams laid directly on the ground, without foundations. These houses may shift during earthquakes, causing structural damage and breaking […]

The Problem The design and construction features of some homes make them vulnerable to earthquake damage, especially if these homes are not specifically designed and built to resist earthquakes. Homes […]

Purpose Braced Chimney Source: Noson, Perbix, SSD To secure chimneys.Caution Chimneys that extend above the roof more than twice the least dimension of the chimney tend to crack just above […]

The Problem Apartments with “tuck-under” parking like this are a classic example of soft-story construction. Look for larger openings in the lower floor, such as a garage door or a […]

Look under your home. If you only see a metal or wood “skirt” on the outside with concrete blocks or steel tripods or jacks supporting your home, you need to […]

The Problem This mountain home was built over a garage, and its walls were not strong enough to withstand an earthquake. Source: Office of Emergency Services The large opening of […]

Purpose To secure parapets and cornices. Recommendation Parapet Brace System Source: Noson, Perbix, SSD Consult a structural engineer to implement any of the options below, where parapet or cornice height […]

The Problem When earthquakes shake the ground, the various parts of buildings may move in different directions. If the connections (anchorage) between concrete or reinforced masonry walls, wood floors, and […]

The Problem The plaster-covered brick walls of this building collapsed during a recent earthquake. Source: California Seismic Safety Commission Houses built of unreinforced masonry – bricks, hollow clay tiles, stone, […]