We have all heard of seismic retrofit for the sole purpose of an earthquake, but what about for the more common natural disaster we face in the United States — flooding? After years of responding to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes, FEMA has determined that half of all flood damage comes from just 25% of buildings.
An earthquake-prone city like Los Angeles requires some retrofit solutions so that the damage during natural disasters could be minimized.
Seismic Upgrades for building have provided a sigh of relief to the house owners. Performing seismic retrofits on residential and commercial properties solidifies sensitive areas like the tuck-under parking, garages, foundation support, first-floor ventilation, and big-window storefronts that weaken the street-level floor.
In the post, will cover the detailed process of building seismic retrofit solutions for better building resilience –
Earthquake Retrofitting & Seismic Upgrades – Things to Know
The term resilience here means a community’s ability to rebound from natural disasters. The resilience enforces to minimize the social-economic losses. In a place like LA, we are more often referring to the term as this is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the USA.
“Resilience by Design” initiative is taken care of in LA by implementing soft retrofit solutions. The focus is on the old multistoried buildings that have week foundations.
Earthquakes are particularly damaging to buildings with open spaces and having weak foundations as they collapse.
As the construction material of every building varies, hence their resistance power to withstand disasters also varies. Depending on the individual building, the cost of soft-story solutions varies. This solution will surely help expedite your building’s resilience.
Basics of a Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit
- Step 1: Consult a construction company that has specialization in the process and has already completed such projects. Most of the construction companies in LA like Lux Construction group provide free consultation and estimation for the entire process.
- Step 2: When you start the repairing work of any constructed building, a survey of engineers and architects is a must. The survey will elaborate on the areas where repair is required. So, to save some dollars, don’t avoid this step, rather take a keen interest and pay extra to have experts’ advice during this step.
- Step 3: Take the approval of the government authorities before the execution of the plans and fix the construction cost and time with the contractor rather than keeping it disconcerting. At this point, the client can shop forbids using these approved plans.
- Step 4: Step 4 starts with the execution of the plan. Depending on the weakest area of the building the construction is started. In most of the buildings, water outlets, and leakages, if any, are repaired first.
- Step 5: The construction covers all trenches and ensures the safety of the building. Since the internal, as well as external repair, is done, safety becomes the prime concern. The contractor, you choose, must use quality products in construction taking all the safety measurements.
- Step 6: Once the area is repaired and renovation is done, The building resilience is checked, and the engineers’ inspection is once again done. Here the building owners must ensure that professional people.
Building Seismic Retrofit Solutions
The ultimate retrofit solution comprises prefabricated products that are affordable and easily available in Los Angeles. These products are customized according to the needs of buildings. Here we are mentioning three main solutions that are implemented:
Precautions before Implementing Seismic Retrofit & Repair
- If your building I sold then look for the crack and other repair work before starting seismic treatments.
- Check the leakages in the building. Also, get the old drainage and other water pipes repaired or replaced as needed.
- Ensure that the electrical connections are fully covered and proper outlets are there to repair in case of faults.
- Vision of the occupancy of the building five years ahead and accordingly make changes in the design.
- Repair your basement and sidewalls. It is a must to increase the resistance of the building. Moreover, the retrofitting begins with the basement and side walls being repaired.
- In the nutshell, plan in such a way that after retrofitting, you don’t need any repair for at least the next five years.
Considerations for Retrofitting for Seismic Resilience
There are more than ten different soft story retrofitting method, however, here we are mentioning three retrofit solutions that are mostly adopted for earthquake resilience in Los Angeles:
Shear Walls
Shear walls strengthen the entire building and keep it from swaying during an earthquake. The purpose of shear walls is to support the building from the sides during an earthquake. It is an affordable solution and can be easily implemented.
Shear walls come in two different styles; plywood and pre-fabricated steel. The shear wall panels are made as per the building’s overall load. . The pre-fabricated panels include load ratings and specifications provided by the manufacturer. Steel shear walls provide more lateral resistance than plywood does. They are ideal for retrofitting parking areas with low clearance.
Estimated cost
- For Steel: Approx $600 for a single piece
- For Plywood: Approx $250 doe single-ply piece
- Overall cost:
- Approx $ 20,000 for a 20- unit capacity apartment.
Steel Cantilever Column System
The cantilever I-beams cost less as compared to shear walls and they have quickly picked up the market well. However, they are suitable only for small buildings.
If you choose this system be sure the company you hire inspects the existing conditions. If the I-beam should become damaged during an earthquake, it will need to be removed and replaced, which could add more costs to your project.
Cost Estimation:
- For large buildings: $35,000, for two stories
- For Multi storeyed Buildings: $65,000 to $75,000.
Special Moment Frames
Special Moment Frames are the ideal solution for seismic earthquake retrofiting. They come in a variety of sizes and can be delivered flat shipped or already assembled. One of the better frames is the bolted system. This frame comes in sections and is bolted together, making it easier to repair after an earthquake. Their frame systems are designed with a special link that absorbs the damage and shock from a seismic event and are the only reusable ones.
Cost Estimation:
- Per Frame Cost: $8,500 to $10,000
- Approx cost of building: $70,000 to $110,000
Note: The cost estimation is given for ideal conditions. It might vary depending on your building needs.
How Seismic Retrofits Enhance Marketability
Having your building meet today’s earthquake safety and building standard is crucial and most essential. The high-risk place for earthquakes in Los Angeles has brought the property rates down. With the reducing reselling cost of the property, especially residential, soft story retrofitting can maintain the market value of your property.
Let us discuss how upgrading your building’s ability to withstand earthquakes through retrofitting and other ways can improve the marketability of your building.
Reduce Damage
Why take a risk when you have the solution? Soft Story Retrofit can practically improve the resistance of your building. If you are a resident or property owner in LA, you can systematically go for the solution by contacting a construction company. All you have to do is to find a company nearby your area that is already providing retrofitting solutions in your area.
The wisest solution to make your building resilient to seismic shakes is to go for a retrofit before it is too late. Easy loans are available to help you out. Before that, consult a construction company that can help you from beginning till completion.
Reinvent Your Space
Do you feel that your building can have a better functional design? If so, then figure out the areas where renovation is required and reinvent the space during soft story retrofitting. This way you will increase the value of your real estate property.
It’s like hitting two birds in one stone. You get to make your building safe and at the same time, you are also making it a more functional space to live in.
Take Advantage of Natural Lighting
Do you like to contribute to saving the environment and build a space that is operated with power-saving mode? For this, you should develop a design and opt for the acoustic that can make the best use of the natural light coming in. The wide windows and small outlets give you the illusion that your space is bigger and natural light can come in.
You can also beautify your terraces and balconies so that when a potential buyer sees the outer shell of your building, it can leave a great first impression of you and your building.
Sustainability is Key
Do you like to add on the commercial property value of LA as a sincere citizen of the city? You must remember, you can do your part in saving Mother Earth through sustainability. It will reduce the environmental impacts compared to when you demolish the building, dispose of the debris, and then build a new one, including its shipping.
Since you will keep the original structure intact, you also get to preserve the historical persona of the community you belong to. Why don’t you take the first step of consulting with your soft story retrofit contractor in LA?
Efficiency on Utilities
Do you have satisfactory electricity and plumbing connections in your building? The bad condition of the building reduces the prices. Moreover, during the retrofitting, you have the chance to renovate your building and make it look like a brand new one. . It’s wise to consider using smart technologies and renewable energy for added efficiency while still saving in cost.
This way you can increase your property’s potential. Safety and convenience alone can already be a big selling point, but it wouldn’t hurt to put more value to your property.
Things to Know Before Hiring an Earthquake Retrofit Contractor
Are you looking for a contractor that specializes in providing soft story retrofit solutions? Before doing a heavy reinvestment on tour property, you must be looking for a long-term solution. Moreover, after this, you must be avoiding the repair of the house for the long term.
Experience in Seismic Retrofit Construction for Building Resiliency
Be sure that your Los Angeles soft story retrofit contractor for building resiliency has verifiable and recent experience in soft-story Retrofit construction. This should play a considerable role in the process of choosing the right contractor for your Soft-Story project.
Ask your potential Los Angeles Retrofit Contractor for a list of current projects and their latest innovations. The right contractor will furnish a list on the spot and will insist you do a site visit.
References of Recent Projects
A solid Los Angeles Retrofit Contractor gets the job done the first time and without leaving a trail of unhappy clients. While choosing your contractor, ask to speak with at least three clients they were contracted by and speak to them in person. What you’ll hear from them will be a preview of your up-and-coming experience.
Satisfactory Communication of Construction Company
Executing a project from start to finish can be challenging. There are numerous factors to be taken into consideration before, during, and behind the scene of any Retrofit job. Good communication is crucial to successfully pull such a complicated production. The communication you’ll get during the screening and bidding process will be a good indication of what is up and coming.
Before hiring a Los Angeles Retrofit Contractor, be smart and do your homework. Get a free estimate now from Lux Construction Group!
