Seismic Improvements
Soft Story Retrofits:
Ensuring the seismic resilience of your apartment building or residence in earthquake-prone areas like California is of utmost importance. The term "Soft Story" refers to properties constructed before 1978 in San Francisco and 1991 in Oakland that exhibit weak, open, or vulnerable wood framing in the lower stories, making them susceptible to significant earthquake damage and potential collapse.
In 2013, San Francisco implemented an ordinance establishing a Mandatory Seismic Retrofit Program. Properties categorized under Compliance Tier IV were required to complete their soft story retrofits by September 15, 2021. Similarly, in 2019, Oakland introduced a similar ordinance with specific timelines for performing the work and obtaining final inspection approval:
Tier 1: Deadline of 2/21/23
Tier 2: Deadline of 2/21/24
Tier 3: Deadline of 2/21/25
With our experience managing over 75 soft story retrofits in San Francisco and Oakland, we possess the expertise and qualifications to guide you through the entire process from start to finish.
Non-Ductile Concrete:
Many concrete buildings constructed prior to 1977 are considered non-ductile concrete structures. "Non-ductile" refers to their lack of flexibility or brittleness, primarily due to the absence of reinforcing steel, especially at column connections in buildings designed before the implementation of the 1976 building code.
Los Angeles implemented an ordinance in 2015, providing a 25-year window for completing non-ductile concrete retrofits. In San Francisco, approximately 3,700 properties have been identified as potentially falling under this category. While the specific ordinance is still being developed, it is essential to start planning in case your property is affected. Considerations include:
Anticipated retrofit costs if you intend to sell the property (potential buyers will want to know). Potential for a use change triggered by the retrofit, such as converting from office to residential. Construction costs for the retrofit, which can be significant and potentially disruptive to your residents. We closely monitor the progress of this forthcoming ordinance and can provide guidance throughout the planning, engineering, and construction phases to ensure a smooth process for you
