Thanks to the Soft-Story Retrofit Program, LA retrofitting contractors have a daunting task ahead of them. With time running out to complete the city’s mandatory retrofit program, they are working on multiple properties throughout Los Angeles. RetroFitting 360 is one of the leading companies to specialize in earthquake retrofitting. As of right now, they have at least 160 retrofit projects that are in various stages of completion. Their contractors are qualified to retrofit apartment complexes and commercial buildings that have been classified as soft-story buildings.
A soft-story building, like this apartment building located in Los Angeles at 420 S. Manhattan, is any structure with more than three floors built over a ground level that has multiple windows, large doors, and commercial spaces. Normally, a shear wall is used to give the building stability to withstand a seismic event. Without this reinforcement by RetroFitting 360, this building would be at risk for structural damage during an earthquake.
We understand the challenges that come with retrofitting an apartment complex and that’s why we invest a great deal of time in creating cost effective designs that fit the specific needs of your building in order to reduce construction time and the inconvenience that comes with it. We start by getting the architectural and engineering plans approved by the city for compliance. After the plans have been approved, the construction can begin. In the case of apartment buildings the tenants will be notified before the work begins.
Our LA retrofitting contractors dug trenches prior to the beginning of construction in order to install new steel beams. The building here originally had wooden beams which do not meet the city’s new building codes for soft-story structures. Steel beams have the strength needed to counteract the shaking induced by an earthquake.
During this soft-story retrofit we added connectors to the building to shore up the loose parts that were found there in order to create a unified structure that remains intact during an earthquake. The shaking forces of a seismic event can easily tear weak buildings apart. The goal of any seismic retrofit is to ensure the safety of the tenants and to minimize the damage and repair costs after an earthquake hits.
What we offer
If you received a letter from the city to retrofit your property you will need to hire a LA retrofitting contractor. RetroFitting 360 will get the process started by completing an inspection of your building and creating a cost estimate for you. Our experts will conduct a walkthrough of your property to analyze and assess the current conditions. You will receive a detailed plan that lists the work that needs to be done.
We serve the greater Los Angeles area and our goal is to provide you with a softy-story retrofit that is both cost-effective and efficient. Our civil, architectural and structural staff will draw up the required plans of the modifications needed in order for the permits to be acquired.
At RetroFitting 360 we are committed to making the soft-story retrofit process as worry free as possible. We will guide you every step of the way so you and your tenant’s daily lives will remain as undisturbed as possible during the retrofit. If you need to retrofit your property to meet the new LA ordinances, or you just have questions about your property and how a seismic retrofit can benefit you, contact us today for a free evaluation.
