Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners FEMA 530 / September 2005 FEMA = Page 1 = Publishing Information The Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety was originally developed and published by the California Seismic Safety Commission. This modiied version of the Guide was developed by FEMA in cooperation with the California Seismic Safety Commission staff. The original guide was prepared for publication by the staff of the Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation, San Jose State University. Ordering Information Copies of this publication are available from the FEMA Distribution Facility. To order, call 1-800-480-2520 and ask for FEMA publication 530. On the cover: Taken in Atascadero, California, on January 25, 2004, the photograph shows a home that slid 2 feet off its foundation as a result of the 6.5 San Simeon Earthquake. = Page 2 = CONTENTS Page Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................ii NATURAL GAS SAFETY ..................................25 INTRODUCTION .................................................1 GETTING THE WORK DONE .................................................................27 Examples of Damage to Single-Family Homes.........................................................2 GEOLOGIC HAZARDS .....................................29 EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS IN THE UNITED STATES ................................................3 WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE ..................................................32 EARTHQUAKE WEAKNESSES ......................4 Unbraced Water Heaters..........................5 WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN Home Not Anchored to Foundation.........7 EARTHQUAKE ..................................................33 Weak Crawl Space Walls...........................9 Pier-and-Post Foundations........................11 WHAT TO DO AFTER AN Unreinforced Masonry Foundations..........13 EARTHQUAKE ..................................................35 Homes Built on Steep Hillsides.................15 Unreinforced Masonry Walls....................17 Rooms over Garages...............................19 RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS ......................37 OTHER EARTHQUAKE-RELATED CONCERNS ...................................................... 21 Unreinforced Masonry Chimneys.............21 Foundations..........................................23 Homes with Unique Designs....................24 California Homeowners: This Guide does not cover real estate disclosure requirements and related recommendations as described in the California Seismic Safety Commission publication The Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety . To obtain that guide, go to http://www.seismic.ca.gov/sscpub.htm. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners i = Page 3 = ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Department of Homeland Security, Federal Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation Staff Emergency Management Agency Guna Selvaduray, Ph.D., Executive Director Elizabeth Lemersal Patrick Chong, Webmaster Jeffrey Lusk Crystal Carrera, Administrative Assistant Seismic Safety Commission The Commission gratefully acknowledges Lucille M. Jones, Ph.D., Chair, Seismology the assistance of the following: Hon. Richard Alarcon, State Senate American Red Cross (Chris Modrzejewski) American Society of Home Inspectors Hon. Carol Liu, State Assembly Association of Bay Area Governments (Donald Manning) Building Education Center Lawrence T. Klein, Utilities California Association of Realtors Mark Church, Local Government California Building Officials Linden Nishinaga, P.E., City Government California Council of the American Institute of Architects Celestine Palmer, Insurance California Geological Survey Andrew A. Adelman, P.E., Cities/Building California Real Estate Inspection Association Official California Governor’s Office of Emergency Stan Moy, A.I.A., Architecture and Planning Services Daniel Shapiro, S.E., Structural Engineering City of Los Angeles Vacant, Mechanical Engineering Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Bruce R. Clark, Ph.D., Geology Humboldt Earthquake Education Center Vacant, County Government International Code Council Vacant, Emergency Services SBC Donald R. Parker, Vice Chairman , Fire San Diego Association of Governments Protection Southern California Association of Governments Jimmie R. Yee, Social Services Southern California Association of Residential Vacant, Soils Engineering Retrofit Professions Southern California Gas Company/Sempra Seismic Safety Commission Staff Structural Engineers Association of California Richard McCarthy, Executive Director Committee on Earthquake Safety Issues for Robert Anderson Gas Systems Karen Cogan Disclaimer: The effects, descriptions, recommendations, and Henry Reyes suggestions included in this document are intended to improve Henry Sepulveda earthquake preparedness; however, they do not guarantee the safety of an individual or a structure. FEMA takes responsibility Fred Turner, Project Coordinator for the inclusion of material in this document. FEMA and the California Seismic Safety Commission assume no liability for any Sue Celli injury, death, property damage, loss of revenue, or any other Rebecca Romo effect of an earthquake. ii Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 4 = INTRODUCTION Earthquakes , especially major ones, are As a homeowner, you can significantly reduce dangerous, inevitable, and a fact of life in some damage to your home by fixing a number of known parts of the United States. Sooner or later another and common weaknesses. “big one” will occur. This booklet is a good start to begin strengthening Earthquakes: your home against earthquake damage. square6 Occur without warning It describes: square6 Can be deadly and extremely destructive square6 Common weaknesses that can result in your square6 Can occur at any time home being damaged by earthquakes, and As a current or potential owner of a home*, you square6 Steps you can take to correct these should be very concerned about the potential weaknesses. danger to not only yourselves and your loved ones, but also to your property. There are no guarantees of safety during The major threats posed by earthquakes are bodily earthquakes, but properly constructed and injuries and property damage, which can be strengthened homes are far less likely to collapse considerable and even catastrophic. or be damaged during earthquakes. FEMA advises Most of the property damage caused by you to act on the suggestions outlined in this earthquakes ends up being handled and paid for booklet and make yourself, your family, and your by the homeowner. home safer. square6 In a 2000 study titled HAZUS 99: Average Annual Earthquake Losses for the United States , FEMA estimated U.S. losses from earthquakes at $4.4 billion per year. square6 Large earthquakes in or near major urban centers will disrupt the local economy and can disrupt the economy of an entire state. However, proper earthquake preparation of your home can: square6 Save lives square6 Reduce injuries square6 Reduce property damage *For the purpose of this document, “home” includes single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 1 = Page 5 = ExamplES of DamaGE to SinGlE-family HomES FEMA News Photo Paciic Fire Rating Bureau Figure 1 - San Fernando Earthquake, Feb. 9, Figure 4 - Northridge Earthquake, Jan. 17, 1994 1971 Severely damaged split level one- and two- Chimney collapse - common type of damage to story wood frame dwelling. The one-story portion unreinforced masonry. dropped about 3 feet. Robert A. Eplett, OES Dane Golden, FEMA News Photo Figure 5 - San Simeon Earthquake, Dec. 22, 2003 Figure 2 - Loma Prieta Earthquake, Oct. 17, 1989 This home slid 2 feet off its foundation due to Home moved off of its foundation and was considered inadequate nailing of walls to its sill plates. a total loss. FEMA Guna Selvaduray Figure 3 - Northridge Earthquake, Jan. 17, 1994 Figure 6 - San Simeon Earthquake, Dec. 22, 2003 Single-family residence damaged due to failure of The collapsed porch was not adequately attached to multiple elements. this single-family residence.  Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 6 = EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS IN THE UNITED STATES Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning. Earthquakes can occur any time of the year and at any time of the day or night. On a yearly basis, 70 to 75 damaging earthquakes occur throughout the world. Estimates of losses from a future earthquake in the United States approach $200 billion. Forty-five states and territories in the United States are at moderate to very high risk from earthquakes, and they are located in every region of the country. K aua i Honol l u u K l w o a a a M au i H w ii a a Earthquake hazards in the United States. This map is based on seismicity and fault-slip rates and takes into account the frequency of occurrence of earthquakes of various magnitudes. Locally, the hazard may be greater than that shown, because site geology may amplify ground motions. Based on U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Map for the Coterminous United States (http:// eqhazmaps.usgs.gov/html/map_graphic.html). Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 3 = Page 7 = IDENTIFY EARTHQUAKE WEAKNESSES WEAKNESSES The earthquake weaknesses identified in this section, if not corrected, can result in one or more of the following: square6 Injury to occupants square6 Severe damage to your home square6 Broken gas and utility lines square6 Fires from broken gas lines square6 Damage to floors, walls, and windows square6 Damage to the contents in the house square6 Damage to the foundations Please remember that: square6 Retrofitting before an earthquake is relatively cheap. square6 Doing major structural repairs to your home after an earthquake is very expensive. square6 Sometimes the damage is extensive enough to require the entire house to be demolished. square6 After an earthquake, there is usually a shortage of available licensed contractors and engineers in the impacted area, because of the sudden high demand for their services. square6 An appropriate seismic retrofit will reduce damage and save you money. Please consult your local Building Department and/or a licensed architect or engineer for more detailed information. 4 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 8 = IDENTIFY Unbraced Water Heaters WEAKNESSES Contents Damage The Problem If water heaters are not properly braced, they can topple over during an earthquake, causing: square6 Broken gas lines and gas leaks Water heater square6 Fires resulting in major damage to homes square6 Broken water lines and flooding How to Identify Governor’s Office of Emergency Services checkbld Is the water heater freestanding? checkbld Are there straps or other types of restraints securing the water heater? checkbld Are there straps or restraints bolted to the studs? Figure 7 - The unbraced water heater in this home fell during an earthquake; the checkbld Are there flexible pipes for water and gas resulting fire destroyed the home. connected to the water heater? Remember Guna Selvaduray square6 Replacing a water heater after an earthquake can cost more than $500. square6 Repairing fire damage and flooding damage can cost several thousand dollars, including the entire cost of your home! square6 There are many different ways of strapping a water heater. One example is shown on the next page. square6 Check with your local Building Department for details of local requirements. square6 Know where your main water valve is so that you can shut it off if you have a water leak. Figure 8 - This unstrapped water heater square6 Know where your main gas valve is so that you tipped over during the 1984 Morgan Hill can shut it off if you hear or smell a gas leak. Earthquake. Fortunately, gas and water (See page 25) lines were not ruptured. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 5 = Page 9 = HOW-TO Brace Water Heaters Water heaters must be braced (securely attached) to the studs in a wall. The Solution There are many solutions – all relatively inexpensive. n Purchase and install a strap kit or bracing kit from your local hardware store. Gypsum Other options include: board n Have a licensed plumber strap your water heater according to code. n Use metal tubing or heavy metal strapping and lag screws and Flexible water line washers to secure the water heater connections to the wall studs. The gas and water lines should also have lexible pipes. These are safer than rigid pipes during an earthquake. Straps WATER HEATER Be sure to check the straps once a year. They may come loose due to vibrations, or other causes. How-to Resources Flexible gas line n Your local home improvement store connection n Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake section, search for “Brace Hot Water Heaters” for speciic bracing instructions. Figure 9 - One method of water heater bracing. Straps and n Publication: Guidelines for Earthquake Bracing screws visible with water heater in a garage installation. of Residential Water Heaters. Department of General Services, Division of the State Architect, revised August 11, 2004. Available online at http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/pubs/ waterheaterbracing_08-11-04.pdf. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $20 to $200 $500 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)  Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 10 = IDENTIFY Home Not Anchored to Foundation WEAKNESSES The Problem Houses that are not bolted to the foundation can move off their foundations during earthquakes. How to Identify checkbld Go down into the crawl space – the area between the first floor and the foundation – to Office of Emergency Services find out if your house is bolted to its foundation. checkbld Look for the heads of anchor bolts that fasten the sill plate – the wooden board that sits directly on top of the foundation – securely to the foundation. (See Figure 11a, page 8) Figure 10 - This home wasn’t bolted and slid off its foundation. Sometimes the damage can be so bad that checkbld You should be able to see the large nuts, houses have to be demolished. washers, and anchor bolts, installed at least every 4 to 6 feet along the sill plate. Steel plates are sometimes used instead of anchor bolts. (See Figure 11b, page 8) If your home has no foundation, or an old Remember concrete foundation, see page 23. It is very expensive to lift a house, and place it back on its foundation. Homes moving off their foundations can cause gas lines to rupture, which in turn can result in fires. Slab Foundations Some homes are built directly on concrete slabs. These houses do not have crawl spaces and foundation walls. Nearly all homes with slab foundations that were originally built to code will have anchor bolts or straps. However, if the house is not bolted to the slab, you have an earthquake weakness. Newer homes generally have anchor bolts or straps. If you have an unfinished garage, you may be able to see the anchor bolts. You are not required to remove siding, drywall, or plaster to determine if your house has anchor bolts. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 7 = Page 11 = HOW-TO Anchor Foundation Wall studs The Solution Drill holes through the sill plate into the foundation Floor joists and install anchor bolts. (See Figure 11a) Flooring If there is not enough room to drill, you can attach steel plates to hold the sill plate to the foundation. (See Figure 11b) Anchor bolts have to be installed properly for them to Crawl be effective. SpaCe Concrete foundation You must obtain the proper permits from your local Building Department before beginning work. Tops of anchor bolts Sill Plate Figure 11a Wall stud Floor joists Flooring Crawl SpaCe Concrete foundation Steel plates How-to Resources Figure 11b n Detailed information for do-it-yourselfers or engineers can be found in the International Figure 11 Anchor bolts or steel plates. - A home’s crawl space may be formed by a wood stud wall (see next page for Existing Building Code, published by the description) between the foundation and the loor joists or the International Code Council. loor joists may rest directly on the sill plate. In either case, n Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake you should be able to see the heads of anchor bolts or steel plates installed at appropriate intervals. These ixtures fasten section, search for “Strengthen Foundation Walls” the sill plate to the foundation. for speciic anchoring instructions. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $250 to $5,000 $25,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)  Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 12 = IDENTIFY Weak Crawl Space Walls WEAKNESSES Contents Damage Structural Damage Nonstructural Hazards The Problem Wooden floors and stud walls are sometimes built on top of an exterior foundation to support a house and create a crawl space. (See Figure 14, page 10) These stud walls carry the weight of the house. During an earthquake, these walls can collapse if Office of Emergency Services they are not braced to resist horizontal movement. If the wall fails, the house may shift or fall. How to Identify checkbld Go under the house through the crawl space, to see if there are any wood stud walls. checkbld If there are such walls, check to see if they are braced. checkbld There should be plywood panels adequately nailed to the studs OR there should be diagonal wood sheathing. (See Figure 13) checkbld Figure 12 - Damage to home due to crawl If you have neither of these, the walls are space wall failure. probably insufficiently braced or unbraced. checkbld Horizontal or vertical wood siding is not Floor joists strong enough to brace these walls. First floor Remember square6 It is very expensive to lift a house, repair these walls, and put it back on its foundation. Wood stud wall Diagonal sheathing Figure 13 Diagonal sheathing. - Common in older homes. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 9 = Page 13 = HOW-TO Strengthen Foundation Walls The Solution Floor joists Plywood panels Plywood, or other wood products allowed by code, First loor should be nailed to the studs. The following are important: Siding n Type of wood product used Wood n Plywood thickness stud wall n Nail size and spacing Studs n Not covering vents Consult your local Building Department for permit Blocking Foundation requirements before starting work. Vent holes Nails at Anchor bolts at appropriate appropriate intervals intervals Double Figure 14 - Plywood top plate or diagonal sheathing strengthens weak wood stud walls. If your home Plywood has a wood stud wall between the foundation and How-to Resources 2x4 Stud the irst loor, and the wall n Detailed information for do-it-yourselfers or is not braced with plywood engineers can be found in the International or diagonal sheathing, the house may fall or shift off Existing Building Code, published by the Siding its foundation during an International Code Council earthquake. Anchor n Go to www.fema.gov, and under the bolt Earthquake section, search for “Strengthen Foundation Walls” for speciic strengthening instructions. Sill plate Nails at appropriate intervals Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $500 to $2,500 $25,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed) 10 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 14 = IDENTIFY Pier-and-Post Foundations WEAKNESSES The Problem The outside of the house is supported by wood posts resting on unconnected concrete piers. Siding is often nailed to the outside of the posts, making them not easily visible. During an earthquake these posts can fail, if they are not braced against swaying. If the posts fail, the house may shift or fall. California Seismic Safety Commission How to Identify checkbld Go under the house to see if there is a continuous foundation under the outside walls. checkbld If you do not see a continuous foundation, you may have an earthquake weakness. checkbld If you see only unconnected concrete piers and wood posts, or only wood posts, supporting the outside walls, you have an earthquake weakness. California Seismic Safety Commission Remember square6 Horizontal or vertical wood siding is not strong enough to brace pier-and-post foundations. Figure 15 - The pier-and-post foundation under this home shifted square6 Major structural repairs, like lifting an entire during a recent earthquake. house to repair the posts and putting it back, are very expensive. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 11 = Page 15 = HOW-TO Strengthen Pier-and-Post Foundations Contents Damage Contents Damage Nonstructural Hazards Nonstructural Hazards Contents Damage The Solution Consult a licensed architect or engineer, and a licensed building contractor who specializes in foundations, to ix this problem. It may be possible to make the foundation safer by bracing the posts. You might be better off to add a new foundation and plywood walls in the crawl space to make sure that the house will not shift or fall off its foundation during an earthquake. How-to Resource n Detailed information for engineers can be found in the International Existing Building Code , published by the International Code Council. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $1,000 to $25,000 $20,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed) 12 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 16 = IDENTIFY Unreinforced Masonry Foundations WEAKNESSES The Problem Unreinforced masonry—brick, concrete block, or stone—foundations often cannot resist earthquake shaking. They may break apart, or be too weak to hold anchor bolts. Homes may shift off such foundations during earthquakes, damaging the walls, floors, utility lines, and home contents. How to Identify California Seismic Safety Commission checkbld If your home’s foundation is brick or stone, and looks like one of the foundations shown in the photos here, it is probably unreinforced. Figure 16 - This is an unreinforced stone foundation. checkbld They typically fail during earthquakes. If there is a space filled with grout between the inner and outer faces of a brick foundation (where anchor bolts and reinforcing steel could be installed), it may be reinforced. checkbld If the outside of the foundation is covered, you may have to look under the house to see the type of foundation you have. checkbld If you are not sure what to look for, seek the services of a licensed engineer to determine if your foundation is reinforced or not. California Seismic Safety Commission Remember square6 It is cheaper to do this before an earthquake damages the house than after. Figure 17 - Note the bricks exposed in this unreinforced masonry foundation. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 13 = Page 17 = HOW-TO Retroit Masonry Foundations Structural Damage Structural Damage Structural Damage Structural Damage Contents Damage HOW-TO Contents Damage Contents Damage Contents Damage Nonstructural Hazards Nonstructural Hazards Contents Damage The Solution There are several ways to ix this problem. The most common approach is to replace all or part of the existing foundation with a poured reinforced concrete foundation. Another solution is strengthening the unreinforced brick or stone foundation, which is generally expensive. Seek the help of a licensed architect or engineer, and a licensed foundation contractor or general contractor. How-to Resource n Detailed information for engineers can be found in the International Existing Building Code, published by the International Code Council. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $15,000 to $50,000 $15,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed) 14 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 18 = IDENTIFY Homes Built on Steep Hillsides WEAKNESSES The Problem Houses built on the sides of steep hills are often set on exposed posts or columns, as shown in the Figures 18 and 19. The potentially hazardous conditions that are unique to homes on steep hillsides are: Stilt-type posts with or without diagonal Office of Emergency Services bracing Walls with very different heights or that are stepped or sloped down the hillsides. If these posts or walls are not properly braced, they may collapse during an earthquake. Sometimes, the supports on the downhill side will be hidden behind a tall wall that encloses a large unfinished space. (This is similar to, but taller Figure 18 - This hillside home was built on an than, a crawl space under a typical house built on unbraced tall wall that failed. flat ground.) How to Identify checkbld Is the house located on a slope? checkbld Are the columns or walls supporting the home braced? checkbld If you are not sure if there is bracing or if the bracing is adequate, consult a licensed engineer. Office of Emergency Services Remember It is very expensive to lift a house, repair the posts, and put it back. Figure 19 - This photograph shows an interior detail of a home similar to the one above, with substantial damage to a building with an unbraced tall wall. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 15 = Page 19 = HOW-TO Strengthen Homes on Steep Hillsides The Solution Consult a licensed architect or engineer, and a licensed contractor, to ix this problem. PEER and Nels Roselund, SE Sloped or stepped wall Tall wall Figure 20 - Hillside homes with sloped and tall walls or posts require special engineering. How-to Resources n Detailed information can be found in the International Existing Building Code, published by the International Code Council. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $1,000 to $50,000 $10,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed) 16 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 20 = IDENTIFY Unreinforced Masonry Walls WEAKNESSES The Problem Houses built of unreinforced masonry – bricks, hollow clay tiles, stone, concrete blocks, or adobe – are very likely to be damaged during earthquakes. The mortar holding the masonry together is generally not strong enough to resist earthquake forces. California Seismic Safety Commission Anchorage of walls to the floor and the roof is critical. Figure 21 - The plaster-covered brick walls of this These houses are weak (brittle) and can break building collapsed during a recent earthquake. apart. Walls may fall away or buckle, resulting in damage. Figure 22 - Header courses How to Identify of bricks are usually placed endwise every six or so rows checkbld Can bricks or stone be seen from the outside in unreinforced masonry walls to tie the outer layer of (unless the walls are covered with stucco)? bricks to the layers inside the checkbld wall. Do the brick walls have “header courses” of bricks turned endways every five or six rows? (See Figure 22) checkbld Was the house built before 1940? California Seismic Safety Commission If you cannot tell from the outside, turn off the power and take the cover plate off one of the electrical outlet boxes on an outside wall and look for brick or other masonry. Remember If the wall is concrete or concrete block, it is very square6 It is very expensive to shore up a house, difficult to find out if reinforcing steel was added remove damaged walls, and put in new during construction. walls. You will then need: square6 The house’s plans, which may be on file with the Building Department, or square6 To consult a licensed engineer to make the determination. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 17 = Page 21 = HOW-TO Strengthen Unreinforced Masonry Walls The Solution Consult a licensed architect or engineer to ix this problem. Jessica Tran One solution may involve: n Tying the walls to the loor and roof n Installing a steel frame and bolting the wall to it. Figure 23 - Unreinforced masonry wall strengthened by installing a steel frame inside. Jessica Tran How-to Resource n Detailed information can be found in the Interna- tional Existing Building Code , published by the Figure 24 - Bolting of unreinforced masonry wall to steel International Code Council. frame on the inside. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake Project and Repair costs can vary widely. 18 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 22 = IDENTIFY Rooms over Garages WEAKNESSES The Problem The large opening of a garage door and the weight of a second-story room built over the garage can result in the walls being too weak to withstand earthquake shaking. When the narrow sections of the wall on each side of the opening are not reinforced or braced, the weakness is worse. Office of Emergency Services How to Identify checkbld Is the garage door opening in line with the rest of the house? (See Figure 26) Figure 25 - This mountain home was built over a garage, and its walls were not strong enough to withstand an earthquake. head2right If this is the case, additional bracing may not be needed. checkbld Is the house shaped like Figure 27 ? If this is the case, are there braces or plywood panels around HOUSE VIEWED FROM ABOVE the garage door opening? head2right If there are no braces or plywood panels, strengthening may be needed. Garage House checkbld Consult a licensed architect or engineer to determine the strengthening required. Figure 26 - If the wall of the main house is in line Remember with the wall containing the door of a garage with a room over it, the adjoining wall may help brace the square6 Many homes with this weakness have been garage. severely damaged in past earthquakes. HOUSE VIEWED FROM ABOVE House Garage with room above Garage ? ? Wall may need bracing Figure 27 - Additional bracing. Home configuration where there is no in-line wall. Additional bracing may be appropriate in this situation. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 19 = Page 23 = HOW-TO Strengthen Rooms over Garages Steel straps The Solution Consult a licensed architect or engineer to design plywood paneling or a steel frame around the door opening (See Figure 28) . Plywood Have plans drawn. panels Obtain a permit from your local Building Department. Anchor Bolts and Tie-Downs Figure 28—Bracing garage walls. If your house has a room over the garage, the garage walls may not be strong enough to hold up during an earthquake unless they are braced with plywood panels and steel straps. How-to Resource n Detailed information can be found in the Interna- tional Existing Building Code, published by the International Code Council. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $5,000 to $25,000 $15,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed) 20 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 24 = OTHER EARTHQUAKE-RELATED CONCERNS OTHER Unreinforced Masonry Chimneys CONCERNS The Problem Many chimneys are built of unreinforced brick or stone. During an earthquake, these can collapse or break and fall on the roof. When the chimney fails, the falling stones and bricks can: square6 Cause injuries Office of Emergency Services square6 Damage the house square6 Damage cars Tall slender chimneys are most vulnerable. Figure 29 - This unreinforced chimney fell during a recent earthquake. How to Identify checkbld Check the mortar between the bricks or stones with a screwdriver. If it crumbles when you pick at it, the chimney may be a hazard. checkbld Inspect the attic and floor spaces for metal ties that should be holding the chimney to the Guna Selvaduray house. checkbld Determining whether a chimney is susceptible to earthquake damage is not always easy. When in doubt, consult a licensed engineer or contractor. Remember square6 Do not locate patios, children’s play areas, or Figure 30 - Morgan Hill Earthquake. Broken chimney fell on parking spaces near a questionable chimney. roof. square6 Tell family members to get away from chimneys and fireplaces during earthquakes. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 21 = Page 25 = HOW-TO Strengthen Masonry Chimneys The Solution Tear down the old or damaged chimney and re- place with a newly constructed chimney. Several steps can be taken to reduce the risk of damage from falling chimneys, depending upon the type of chimney you have. They include: n Add plywood panels at the roof or above the California Seismic Safety Commission ceiling joists to prevent the brick or stone from falling into the house. Ø This can be done by layering plywood above the ceiling, in the house’s attic, or nailing plywood under the shingles when rerooing. n Replace the upper chimney with metal lues. n Strengthen the existing chimney. Ø This can be a complicated process, depending upon the construction and height of the existing chimney. Figure 31 - Photo showing damaged chimney removed. Note that the ireplace is now not Consult your local Building Department and obtain functional. necessary permits irst. How-to Resource n Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake section, search for “Strengthen Chimneys” for speciic strengthening instructions. Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake $2,000 to $12,000 $15,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed) 22 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 26 = OTHER Foundations CONCERNS 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 utility lines. How to Identify Look under the house. If you see no concrete or masonry around the outside walls, the house may lack a foundation. What Can Be Done You may need to add a foundation to make the house earthquake resistant. Just as when strengthening or replacing an unreinforced masonry foundation, you will require the advice of a licensed architect, engineer, or foundation contractor. Old Concrete Foundation The Problem Some older concrete foundations were made with sand or stone that interacted chemically over time, and the concrete eventually crumbles and becomes too soft to withstand earthquake forces. How to Identify Inspect the foundation for large cracks in the concrete, concrete crumbling off the foundation, or concrete crumbling when you pick at it with a screwdriver. What Can Be Done You may need to replace some or all of the foundation. You should consult a licensed foundation contractor or an engineer. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 23 = Page 27 = OTHER Homes with Unique Designs CONCERNS 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 at risk are those with irregular shapes, large windows (which can break in earthquakes and scatter shards of glass), more than two stories, irregular walls, or porches and overhangs. How to Identify Many homes with these features are strong enough to withstand earthquakes and it is difficult to tell whether such homes need strengthening. If you have doubts about one or more of these features in your home, or in a home you are planning to buy, you should consult a licensed architect or engineer for an assessment. What Can Be Done A professional can advise you on how to identify and fix earthquake weaknesses if necessary. For example, large windows can be made safer by applying plastic film on them. 24 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 28 = NATURAL GAS SAFETY The Problem Plan Ahead Natural gas piping and appliances can be damaged Locate your gas meter outside your home. during earthquakes, causing gas leaks. Identify the exact location of the shutoff valve and If ignited, this can result in fires that can burn part make sure that you have access to it. of, or, the entire house. Make sure you have a wrench that is readily About one in four fires after an earthquake is available to turn off the gas when needed. related to natural gas leaks. Gas leaks after an earthquake are more likely if: square6 There are structural weaknesses. square6 Gas appliances are not anchored. square6 Flexible pipe connections are not used. The primary concern is property loss from fire damage. The potential for life loss is limited since most single-family homes have several safe exits. How to Identify checkbld Examine all natural gas appliances (water heaters, dryers, stoves, ovens, furnaces) to see if they are anchored to the floor or walls, and have flexible pipe connections. Close-up view of Valve Figure 32 - Manual shutoff valve location. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 25 = Page 29 = Manual Gas Shutoff Automatic Gas Shutoff Options The most cost-effective way to manage the There are a variety of automatic gas shut-off valves risk from natural gas is to know how and when available. These cost more than manual shutoff to manually shut off the gas. valves and may provide additional safety, but may also have some disadvantages. Use the wrench to turn off the manual valve located at the gas meter (See Figure 32, page 25) . The types of valves available include: Shut off your gas only if you: Earthquake shake-actuated valves head2right Smell gas Excess flow valves head2right Hear gas escaping Methane detectors head2right Suspect a broken gas pipe, appliance, Hybrid systems vent, or flue Others Remember These can be installed on the “customer owned” Once the gas has been shut off, service can side of the gas meter. be restored only by utility personnel or qualified plumbers. Consult your local Building Department because: High demands for qualified personnel after an earthquake can lead to substantial delays in Some installations will require building permits. restoring natural gas service. Some local jurisdictions have adopted ordinances requiring automatic gas shutoff devices at the time of sale or during significant renovations. Resources square6 Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake section, search for “Retrofit Gas and Water Lines” for retrofitting instructions. square6 Publication: Improving Natural Gas Safety in Earthquakes. California Seismic Safety Commission, Adopted July 11, 2002. Available online at http://www.seismic.ca.gov/pub/ CSSC_2002-03_Natural%20Gas%20Safety.pdf. 26 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 30 = GETTING THE WORK DONE PLANS, PERMITS, AND CONTRACTORS Select your licensed contractor. Decide which strengthening project or projects you are going to do. head2right First make sure the contractor is properly licensed. Get the necessary building permits first. head2right Interview at least two or three contractors. head2right If you are “doing-it-yourself,” you still need head2right Ask your licensed architect or engineer for the proper permits. recommendations. head2right For more complex projects, have a licensed head2right Ask for references or former clients. architect or engineer draw up the necessary head2right plans and specifications. Talk to references or former clients. checkbld head2right Compare experience, fees, and terms of Interview two or three architects or engineers. contract. head2right checkbld Get at least three written bids for the Ask for references or former clients. construction work. checkbld Talk to references or former clients. head2right The lowest bid may not be the best bid. checkbld Compare experience, ideas, and fees. head2right Keep all plans, permits, and other records of Submit the plans for approval to your local building department. your strengthening project. head2right head2right Provide future buyers of your home with Remember: the building codes are designed for your safety. these. If your home has been designated as “historical,” There are many publications that describe you also may need to comply with local regulations strengthening projects in detail. regarding historical structures. Visit the California Seismic Safety Commission’s Contact your local Building Department for website at www.seismic.ca.gov, which provides further help with this. many useful links. REMEMBER Get the documents that relate to your project and read them. Whether you do it yourself, or hire a contractor, head2right you need permits from your local Building This will help you to better understand what the architect or engineer is doing, and also Department. what the contractor is doing. It costs far less to correct earthquake weaknesses The International Existing Building Code before an earthquake than to repair the damage Appendix Chapter 3 contains the best current after an earthquake. guidelines. Ask your local Building Department to review a copy. If your home is damaged in an earthquake, you will probably also have other costs such as lodging, medical, etc. DONT HESITTE MITIGTE! Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 27 = Page 31 = AFTER A DISASTER – HIRE A LICENSED CONTRACTOR! After a Disaster... Avoid Payment Pitfalls DO NOT: Try to limit your down payment. Some State laws limit the amount of money a Rush into repairs, no matter how badly they contractor can request as a down are needed. payment. Contact your State or local Hire the first contractor who comes along. consumer agency to find out what the law is in your area. Accept verbal promises. Try to make payments during the project DO: contingent on completion of a defined amount of work. This way, if the work is Get proof that the person you are dealing with is a licensed contractor appropriate for the not proceeding according to schedule, work to be done. the payments are also delayed. Get the contractor’s license number and verify Withhold at least 10% of the total that it is current and valid. contract price until the project is Get a written contract that contains all the complete. details of the job to be performed. Do not make final payment until: Get at least three bids. head2right The building department has signed Check references of other work the contractor off on it, has done, if possible, in your area. head2right You are satisfied with the job, and Develop a payment schedule with the contractor. head2right You take a final walk-through to make sure work is complete and Consider a completion bond on large projects. done correctly. 28 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 32 = Geologic Hazards GEOLOGIC HAZARDS Sellers of real estate may be required to disclose to buyers certain information regarding natural hazards that can affect the property being sold. In addition to flood and fire hazard information, disclosure of seismic hazards may also be required. This section: Describes briefly the basic geology-related hazards, and Introduces the government mapping pro- Patrica Grossi and Augustin Rodriguez, EERI grams that define which areas are suscep- tible to those hazards. Ground Shaking: Figure 33 - Landslide, San Simeon Earthquake, Ground shaking causes 99% of the earth- December 22, 2003. Landslides on San Gregorio Road in Atascadero, California, only a short distance away from quake damage to homes. where the homes with the most damage were located. Areas near large active faults are more likely to be shaken severely than areas in the rest of the state. Landslide: Earthquakes can also trigger landslides. Earthquake shaking can cause the soil and rock to slide off a slope, ripping apart homes on the slope and/or crushing homes downhill Robert A. Eplett, OES, CA (See Figure 33) . Fault Rupture: An actual crack forms and the ground is offset along the two sides of a fault during an earthquake (See Figure 34) . A house built over an active fault can be torn Figure 34 - Fault Rupture. Landers Earthquake of June 28, apart if the ground ruptures beneath it. 1992, produced a surface rupture of over 50 miles along faults If the house is built over a “creeping” fault – in the Mojave Desert. one that moves slowly with no earthquakes or a series of very small earthquakes – the damage may not be noticed for some time. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 29 = Page 33 = Lateral Spreading: n Intense shaking during an earthquake can cause the soil to break into blocks that move apart from each other. This can cause damage to the foundation of a house (See Figure 35) . NISEE Clearinghouse Project Liquefaction: n During earthquakes, loose, wet sandy soil can become almost like quicksand, and lose its ability to support structures. This can cause the foundation of a house to sink, break, or tilt (See Figure 36) . Tsunami: n A tsunami is a series of large sea waves Figure 35 - Lateral Spreading, Loma Prieta Earthquake, October 17, 1989. Lateral spreading damaged levee road caused by an underwater earthquake or land- along the San Lorenzo River. slide. n Coastal areas are prone to tsunami damage. n Tsunami waves can come from a great dis- Walt Hayes tance and can cause looding or wash away houses in low-lying areas along the shore. Dam Failure: n Earthquake damage to a dam can cause sudden and devastating looding of houses downstream. n During the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, the Lower San Fernando Dam above the San Fernando Valley was damaged. Had it failed, Figure 36 Loma Prieta Earthquake, October 17, - 1989. Lateral spreading, liquefaction and sand boils caused it would have looded the homes below, caus - extensive damage in the Marina District of San Francisco, ing many deaths and injuries. (See Figure about 60 miles away from the epicenter. 37) . Risk of an aftershock forced residents in an 11-square-mile area to evacuate for the next 3 days. Yerkes, USGS Recommendation: If you live in a low-lying coastal area or a dam inundation zone, become familiar with evacuation routes to higher ground and be prepared to evacuate such areas immediately after an earthquake. Robert A. Page, David M. Boore and Robert F. Figure 37 - Lower San Fernando Dam that was badly damaged by the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake. 30 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 34 = Tsunami Inundation and Evacuation Earthquake Hazard Mapping Route Maps Enormous progress has been made in Maps for the Pacific Coast show areas where understanding how, why, and where earthquakes low-lying regions are exposed to tsunami inunda- occur. This has led to the creation of maps that tion. These maps are in various stages of prepa- highlight areas having the highest likelihood of ration and availability. More information about damaging earthquakes. tsunamis and tsunami mapping is available from the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Pro- Five mapping programs have been developed to gram, Center for Tsunami Inundation Mapping help people lead safer lives in earthquake country. Efforts, at http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tsunami/ time/. U.S. Geologic Survey National Seismic Hazard Maps Dam Inundation Maps The USGS provides seismic hazard assessments These maps show the areas below major dams for the United States and areas around the world. These hazard maps serve as the basis for seismic that may be flooded in the event of their failure. provisions used in building codes and influence How Are These Maps Used? billions of dollars of new construction every year. For more information about seismic hazard The zones defined by the maps are at greatest analysis, the USGS maps, and the underlying data potential risk when a major earthquake occurs. on which they are based, visit the USGS website This is particularly the case when the earthquake at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazmaps/. occurs during or shortly after a heavy rainfall, The earthquake hazards map on page 3 of this which increases the likelihood of liquefaction and Guide is based on the USGS Seismic Hazard Map landslides. for the Coterminous United States, available from the USGS website at http://eqhazmaps.usgs.gov/ Special geotechnical studies are required before html/map_graphic.html. buildings can be built in Earthquake Fault Zones or Seismic Hazard Zones. Earthquake Fault Zone Maps Your local building or planning department can These maps show active earthquake faults prone show you copies of USGS seismic hazard maps to surface ruptures and identify a 1,000-foot-wide and other earthquake hazard maps that may be zone with the fault line at the center. available for your community. Seismic Hazard Zone Maps These maps show areas where landslides and liquefaction are most likely to occur during earthquakes. The seller of real estate within a hazard zone may be required to disclose that the property lies within such a zone at the time of sale. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 31 = Page 35 = WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE 1. IF YOU ARE INDOORS —STAY THERE! “ DROP, COVER, AND DROP! HOLD ON. ” Get under a sturdy desk or table and hang on to it, or move into a hallway or get against an inside wall. Stay clear of win- dows, ireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Get out of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place in earthquakes since it’s full of things that can fall on you. Don’t run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris. COVER! 2. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE GET INTO THE OPEN — , away from build- ings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you. 3. IF YOU ARE DRIVING STOP — , but carefully. Move your car as far out of trafic as possible. Do not stop on or under a bridge or over - pass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road. 4. IF YOU ARE ON OR NEAR A STEEP HILLSIDE, WATCH OUT FOR LANDSLIDES , falling rock, trees, and other debris that could be loos- HOLD ON! ened by earthquakes. If You Feel a Strong Earthquake or Receive a Tsunami Warning When You are on the Coast 1. DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. Watch for falling objects until the earthquake is over. 2. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND or inland away from the coast imme- diately. A tsunami may be coming. Go on foot if possible. The irst waves may reach the coast within minutes after the ground shaking stops. The irst wave is almost never the largest. Later waves may be spaced tens of minutes apart and can continue arriving for many hours. 3. THERE MAY BE NO TIME FOR AUTHORITIES TO ISSUE A WARNING. If you do not hear an evacuation announcement, but no- tice a sudden drop or rise in water level or hear a loud noise coming from the water, nature may be warning you of impending danger. 4. STAY AWAY FROM THE COAST. Do not return to the shore after the irst wave. Waves may continue to arrive for hours. 5. LISTEN TO A RADIO FOR AN “ALL CLEAR” before returning to the shore. 32 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 36 = How-To’s What to Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE The information contained in this section does not represent weaknesses in the earthquake resistance of homes. It is valuable information to keep in mind to reduce risks to yourself, your family, and your home. These lists are only highlights of the actions you should take. Gather Emergency Be sure you have these basic supplies on hand: Supplies boxshadowdwn Fire extinguisher boxshadowdwn Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members are taking boxshadowdwn Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies boxshadowdwn First-aid kit and handbook boxshadowdwn Flashlights with extra bulbs and fresh batteries boxshadowdwn Portable battery-powered radio or television and extra fresh batteries boxshadowdwn Water for each family member for at least 3 days (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources boxshadowdwn Canned and packaged foods, enough for 3 days, and at least an additional 4-day supply readily accessible for use if you are confined to home. Don’t forget a mechanical can opener and extra pet food! boxshadowdwn Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors (store fuel out of the reach of children) boxshadowdwn Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal boxshadowdwn Copies of personal identification, such as driver’s licenses, passports, and work identification badges, and copies of medi- cal prescriptions and credit cards boxshadowdwn An extra set of car keys and house keys boxshadowdwn Matches in waterproof container boxshadowdwn Map of the area marked with places you could go and their telephone numbers boxshadowdwn Cash and coins boxshadowdwn Special items, such as denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, extra eyeglasses, and hearing aid batteries boxshadowdwn Items for seniors, disabled persons, or anyone with serious allergies boxshadowdwn Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, pacifiers, powdered milk, and medications not requiring refrigeration Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 33 = Page 37 = 1. Create a family disaster plan; practice and maintain the plan. Plan Ahead 2. Make and complete a checklist. 3. Plan home escape routes. 4. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills at least twice a year and include your pets in your evacuation and sheltering drills. 5. Test your smoke alarms once a month (daylight savings time or birthdays) and replace batteries at least once a year in battery- powered smoke alarms. 6. Make sure each member of your family knows what to do no matter where they are when earthquakes occur. square6 Establish two meeting places where you can all reunite after- ward: one right outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency, and one outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood. square6 Find out about the earthquake plan developed by your children’s school or day care. square6 Remember that since transportation may be disrupted, you may have to stay at your workplace for a day or two following a major earthquake. Keep some emergency supplies—food, liquids, and comfortable shoes, for example—at work. square6 Pick two out-of-town contacts: head2right A friend or relative who will be your household’s primary contact, head2right A friend or relative who will be your household’s alternative contact. 7. Know where your gas, electric, and water main shutoffs are and how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrical short; if in doubt, ask your utility companies. Make sure that all the older members of your family can shut off the utilities. 8. Locate your nearest fire and police stations and emergency medical facility. Remember that telephones may not work after an earthquake. If you can, use your land line rather than your cell phone to call 911, but only if you need emergency help. 9. Talk to your neighbors—how could they help you, or you help them, after an earthquake? 10. Take a Red Cross first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training course. 11. Make arrangements with friends or relatives to temporarily house your pets after disasters because emergency shelters will not accept pets. 12. If your home is located near a steep hillside, in an area near the shore of a body of water or below a dam, check with your local building or planning department to see if you are in a landslide, tsunami or dam inundation zone. Plan for how, when, and where your family should evacuate. 34 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 38 = WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE Wear sturdy shoes to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocks. 1. If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Use Check for Injuries clean gauze or cloth, if available. 2. If a person is not breathing, administer rescue breathing. The front pages of many telephone books contain instructions on how to do it along with detailed instructions on other first-aid measures. 3. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. 4. Cover injured persons with blankets to keep them warm. 5. Seek medical help for serious injuries. 1. Fire or fire hazards. Put out fires in your home or neighborhood Check for Hazards immediately. Call for help, but don’t wait for the fire department. 2. Gas leaks. Shut off the main gas valve only if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or the odor of natural gas. Don’t turn it back on yourself—wait for the gas company to check for leaks. 3. Damaged electrical wiring. Shut off power at the control box if there is any damage to your house wiring. 4. Downed or damaged utility lines. Do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them. 5. Spills. Clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other potentially harmful materials such as bleach, lye, and gasoline or other hazardous materials. 6. Downed or damaged chimneys. Approach chimneys with caution. They may be weakened and could topple during aftershocks. Don’t use a fireplace with a damaged chimney—it could start a fire or let poisonous gases into your house. 7. Fallen items. Beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open the doors of closets and cupboards. Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 35 = Page 39 = 1. If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly, or Check Your Food and frozen foods. If you keep the door closed, food in your freezer Water Supplies should be good for at least a couple of days. 2. Don’t light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak. 3. Use barbecues or camp stoves, outdoors only, for emergency cooking. 4. If your water is off, you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes, or canned vegetables. Try to avoid drinking water from swimming pools or, especially, spas—it may have too many chemicals in it to be safe. Do Not . . . Note: The information in these sections is reproduced in square6 Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near whole or in part with the shattered glass. permission of the copyright square6 Do not turn the gas on again if you turned it off; let the gas owner, SBC. The Survival Guide is available in the White company do it. Pages of SBC Directories © square6 Do not use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, SBC 2004. This information electrical equipment—including telephones—or appliances was provided by medical and until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create emergency service authorities and published as a public sparks that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion service. While every and fire. reasonable effort was made to square6 Do not use your telephone, except for a medical or fire ensure its accuracy, SBC is not emergency. You could tie up lines needed for emergency responsible and assumes no liability for any action response. undertaken by any person in If you need help and the phone doesn’t work, send some- utilizing such information. Any one for help. person relying upon such square6 Do not expect firefighters, police, or paramedics to help you information does so at his or her own risk. right away. They may not be available. 36 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 40 = Geologic Hazards Resource Organizations RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS Some of the organizations listed below have information to help you strengthen your home against earth- quakes and help you and your family prepare a personal earthquake response plan. Other resources that can help you may be available in your community; check your local telephone directory. National Council of Structural Engineers Structural Safety Information Associations American Institute of Architects 645 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 540 Local chapters have referral lists of licensed Chigago, IL 60611 architects; consult telephone directory listing for Telephone: (312) 649-4600 “American Institute of Architects.” http://www.ncsea.com http://www.aia.org National Fire Protection Association American Society of Civil Engineers 1 Batterymarch Park 1801 Alexander Bell Drive Quincy, MA 02169 Reston, VA 20191 Telephone: (617) 770-3000 http://www.nfpa.org Telephone: (800) 548-2723 http://www.asce.org Geologic Information American Society of Home Inspectors United States Geological Survey 932 Lee Street, Suite 101 National Center Des Plaines, IL 60016 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Telephone: (800) 743-2744 Reston, VA 20192 http://www.ashi.com Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Referral list of licensed inspectors. http://earthquake.usgs.gov Federal Emergency Management Agency This is the Federal agency responsible for Headquarters geological and earthquake hazard research, 500 C Street, SW. mapping, and policy. It provides maps and other Washington, DC 20472 information to the general public. Telephone: (800) 621-FEMA http://www.fema.gov States, Cities, and Counties Consult your telephone directory under State, city, FEMA provides a wide variety of information or county government listings for the office of suitable for the homeowner, including the emergency services or disaster management; availability of, and registration for, Federal city or county building and planning department; and disaster aid programs after a damaging State, city, or county government geologist. earthquake or other disasters. International Code Council Emergency Planning Information 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600 American Red Cross Falls Church, VA 22041 Consult your telephone directory for the address Telephone: 1-888-ICC-SAFE and phone number of your local chapter. http://www.iccsafe.org http://www.redcross.org Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 37 = Page 41 = Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters 500 C Street, SW. Washington, DC 20472 Telephone: (800) 621-FEMA http://www.fema.gov 38 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners = Page 42 =