Los Angeles County covers a massive stretch of land from Southern California beaches, well into the Santa Monica Mountains, where you will find the upscale town of Calabasas. This largely residential area is home to many reality TV stars, like the infamous Kardashians. But, just like any other area around LA, this small town has seen its share of earthquakes. Even the rich and famous are included in Los Angeles County’s new soft-story retrofit program. Many Calabasas soft-story retrofit contractors are available to help you ensure that your home is ready for the next earthquake when it hits.
The Northgate Earthquake of ’94 rocked the greater Los Angeles area leaving massive destruction in its wake. After it was over, city officials toured the area to assess the damage and make plans for future seismic events. Structures built after that earthquake should be up to code on the new earthquake policies enacted. But it wasn’t until recently that the city updated its building codes on older structures. If your building was constructed before 1994, you will want to call one of the soft-story retrofit contractors in Calabasas to get your retrofit started.
How do I know if my building qualifies for a soft-story retrofit?
Many types of buildings can be seen around the Los Angeles area and it can be confusing to know just what kind you own or live in. One of the most common is a soft-story building. These buildings have three, or more, stories. They also have a ground floor that is open. The ground floor could include commercial space that has windows and doors. It could also include a parking garage, or other type of large, open space. The main categorization of a soft story building is that it is built above ground level.
After the 1994 earthquake, soft-story buildings were identified as being particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. This is because there might not be enough support at the bottom of the building to support higher floors. In many buildings constructed before 1994, the upper floors collapsed in on the bottom floor.
There are many solutions to retrofitting a soft story building. One option could be creating more shear walls that are better able to prop up existing floors. Or, if these walls already exist, they could be further re-enforced. As for parking garages, they may need extra steel beams or more columns to add more support.
Whatever your building needs, you won’t have to worry about the details. Retrofitting 360, a reliable retrofit contractor in Calabasas, are experts at soft-story buildings. They know all the tricks of the trade to ensure that your building is able to withstand any future earthquakes. Remember that while the soft story retrofit program is mandatory, it is done so with your safety in mind.
Understanding the process.
Like many owners in Calabasas you may have received a notice from the city to retrofit your property. The next step is to begin the process. Your professional Calabasas soft-story retrofit contractor will help you with the entire process. The date to have the retrofit completed is 2022. First, an assessment of your property needs to be done so that the scope of the project is clear. Retrofitting could involve more shear walls, or it could include a new steel frame. Permits need to be issued and then construction can begin.
At the end of the project, inspections and final reports will be completed. The point is that in order to actually be done by the deadline, this whole process needs to start as soon as possible. Hire a Calabasas soft-story retrofitting contractors, like Retrofitting 360. They are the experts in their field. They understand the city ordinance and specialize in soft story apartment buildings. Efficient, knowledgeable, practical, and professional; you can expect all this from Retrofitting 360. Remember that the next big earthquake could strike at any time.
