In earthquake-prone California, new seismic codes are believed to have significantly boosted safety and resiliency, but much of the state’s older building stock is highly vulnerable to seismic events.
Last year, Los Angeles took a major step to address that deficiency when it enacted the toughest set of mandatory seismic upgrade laws in the nation. The legislation requires the retrofit of some 15,000 buildings. Some owners may have to pay millions of dollars to pay for the retrofits.
Unless other communities or the state follow Los Angeles’s lead with an evaluation and upgrade law, building codes do not address existing structures unless a building is being sold, repurposed, or undergoing an extensive remodel in excess of 25% of a building’s value. One current state law does require seismic upgrades in one sector: critical care medical buildings.
Without similar laws, it may be a long while before the state’s older buildings are retrofitted according to current seismic best practices. Another problem the state faces is assuring the quality of retrofit contractors. There has been some discussion about state licensing for retrofit contractors, but there are no solid plans in the works to do that.
Related Stories
| Jun 28, 2012
Factory worker deaths in Italy raise questions on building codes after earthquakes
Italian officials are questioning seismic building standards and inspection procedures in the aftermath of two damaging earthquakes.
| Jun 21, 2012
Brazilian engineering/construction firm Odebrecht sues Florida over ban on companies doing business in Cuba
Odebrecht Construction Inc., a Brazilian engineering and construction company, is suing the State of Florida over a new law that bans governments from hiring companies with business ties to Cuba.
| Jun 21, 2012
String of shattered glass balcony panels prompts call for code reform in Ontario
Since last summer, glass balconies have shattered at 13 different buildings in Toronto.
| Jun 21, 2012
California adds window film to building code
California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.
| Jun 21, 2012
New ISO standard to improve environmental management of concrete
A new ISO standard will help the construction industry better manage the environmental impacts of concrete.
| Jun 21, 2012
On net-zero projects, Building Teams will be held accountable for energy-efficiency performance
The building team will be held accountable for how net-zero energy buildings perform two, five, and maybe ten years after completion.
| Jun 14, 2012
USGBC co-founder launches rating system for building product manufacturers
U.S. Green Building Council co-founder David Gottfried’s new venture, Regenerative Ventures, has established a rating system for building product manufacturers.
| Jun 14, 2012
Green standard set for single-ply roofing membrane
A sustainability standard has been established for single-ply roofing membranes used on commercial buildings.