Earthquakes are not new phenomena: they've been a part of Bay Area California life for generations upon generations. But the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 brought the realities of the capabilities of seismic damage to a whole new modern generation. Since then, commercial building owners have been rightly concerned about the seismic resistance capabilities of their facilities. Fortunately, current engineering knowledge and construction capabilities make seismic retrofitting a possibility for many Bay Area buildings. If you own a commercial building, here are some of the basics you need to know about seismic retrofitting.

How Do I Know If My Commercial Building Needs Seismic Retrofitting Remodeling?

You should consult with an engineer and builder if your building has any of the following characteristics:

-- All or part of the structure is built on a steep hill
-- If your foundation is made from brick, stone, a single cement block; or if your foundation shows definitive signs of age and weakness.
-- If the structure's length is more than twice as long as the building is wide.
-- If any of the exterior of the building is supported entirely by posts instead of by a solid wall.

What Is Involved With Seismic Retrofitting?

After a thorough foundation inspection is conducted and engineering reports are concluded, it's time for a qualified and experienced commercial remodeler to do the work. Since most of the serious structural damage to a building is caused by its slipping off its foundation, it is the construction company's job to not only shore up the foundation but also to use different means to more firmly attach the bulk of the structure to that foundation. Some of the steps involved may include:

-- Replacing an inadequate foundation altogether or reinforcing it by building an additional reinforced concrete foundation onto the interior of an existing one.

-- The structure is then bolted to the foundation, more plywood is added to strengthen walls and additional hardware is used to create a network of materials that will transfer any stress downward in the event of an earthquake.

How Do I Know Who To Hire?

Not all commercial and home remodelers in the Bay Area are experienced with or qualified to perform really effective seismic retrofitting. Look for one that offers a variety of techniques that will seismically strength your structure: foundation upgrades and replacements, bolting and pinning of existing buildings, and even hillside retaining systems when necessary.

There is no doubt that more earthquakes will be coming to the Bay Area in the near future, and the next one may be a big one. Be as prepared as possible by doing a seismic retrofit on your investments.