Seismic Evaluation

Seismic evaluation is performed on an existing building or group of buildings, to determine what is likely to happen during an earthquake. An evaluation tries to determine just how safe the people inside that building will be in the event of an earthquake. It also considers what damage is likely to occur and the cost of repair. The potential length of a business interruption during repairs is another aspect of a thorough evaluation.

Proper evaluation can help estimate the loss of a property's value after an earthquake, and the costs of rebuilding. Any risk to real estate investments will be part of the evaluation, including risks of environmental damage. Evaluation can happen before excavation, too. A preventative evaluation before purchase of a site could save a great deal of money.

What Goes into a Seismic Evaluation?
In the U.S., the Uniform Building Code (UBC) seismic zone map is used to determine the likelihood of an earthquake in any area of the country. A preliminary evaluation is performed on a building, involving a visual inspection and a study of published information about the history of the site and the whether the ground is subject to liquefaction or landslides. If deemed necessary, a detailed evaluation follows. When every detail of a building's construction and history have been analyzed, a plan for seismic retrofitting can be created.

Seismic evaluation improves safety, allows planning for future disasters, and protects against catastrophic costs. Any investment in a property should be backed up with complete knowledge of what could happen. For more information, contact The KPA Group at www.thekpagroup.com.