| Earthquakes are as much a reality for those living in | | | | Older structures are particularly at risk of damage |
| Seattle and its surrounding areas as hurricanes are for | | | | and collapse resulting from earthquakes. When |
| those on the Gulf Coast. As unfortunate as the | | | | buildings are constructed entirely of brick, without |
| damage that results from earthquakes may be, it has | | | | any steel bars or beams as reinforcement, the risk of |
| provided insight for those who study the after | | | | building collapse greatly increases. Most older buildings |
| effects. Scientists and engineers have developed | | | | are not attached to their foundations, making the |
| methods to gather data from areas struck by | | | | potential for earthquake damage significantly greater |
| earthquakes, including the damage caused to | | | | for these structures as well. |
| residential homes and other buildings during the | | | | The owners of older buildings and homes are not |
| quakes. This data has resulted in an increased | | | | without resources to improve or remodel their |
| understanding of how to better construct new | | | | structures to earthquake-proof standards. Numerous |
| buildings to protect against earthquake damage. | | | | methods are available to counter the variety of |
| It has also given construction companies and home | | | | structural problems that can be found in older |
| building and remodeling firms knowledge of how to | | | | buildings. |
| reinforce or strengthen the structure of existing | | | | Construction and remodeling firms can examine |
| houses and commercial buildings so they can also be | | | | existing homes and buildings to assess |
| better protected against potential damage from | | | | earthquake-proofing improvements that should be |
| earthquakes. | | | | made. Once the inspection is completed, an estimate |
| Seattle has experienced earthquakes in the past but | | | | can be developed and an improvement or remodeling |
| it is only a matter of time before stronger | | | | plan put in place that can ensure residents or visitor |
| earthquakes hit the area. Of course, it cannot at | | | | safety should earthquakes hit in the future. |
| present be predicted when those stronger quakes | | | | Brick buildings can be reinforced to help them sustain |
| will occur but it is important for all residents to be | | | | stronger tremors and quakes. Older buildings that are |
| informed and prepared for the potential that | | | | not attached to their foundations can be bolted to |
| earthquakes of a stronger magnitude could strike the | | | | their bases to prevent collapse. Base plants can be |
| area at any time. | | | | installed to the foundation if necessary. Interior areas |
| Officials in local and state governments have included | | | | can be restructured to include reinforcement beams |
| earthquake-proofing building practices in their agendas | | | | in the ceilings, doorways, closets, and other key |
| for development of new and more rigid building | | | | areas. Cabinetry can be built in a manner to prevent |
| codes for future construction projects. Many | | | | injury from falling items in the event of a quake. |
| construction and design firms have already started to | | | | Homeowners should not despair when thinking of |
| incorporate improved building practices into their | | | | how to earthquake-proof an older home, as there |
| construction and remodeling methods to better meet | | | | are numerous resources available to retrofit or |
| the needs of their clients and to provide the best | | | | remodel an existing home to meet earthquake-proof |
| quality and safest structures possible. | | | | standards. In the same light, future homeowners |
| Advancements in building technologies have included | | | | should not be fearful of the cost associated with |
| new materials that are more flexible so they are able | | | | earthquake-proofing a custom home, as custom |
| to shift with earthquake tremors without causing | | | | builders and remodelers in the Seattle area who are |
| breakage and building collapse. Other technological | | | | worth their salt are already incorporating these |
| advancements include the development of sensors | | | | methods into their standard practices. The regular |
| that allow buildings to know the strength of tremors | | | | application of these practices has made them more |
| and respond appropriately, including the activation of | | | | affordable, simply by increasing the market demand |
| tremor or movement damper systems that act like | | | | and availability of safer building materials. |
| shock absorbers, letting buildings withstand stronger | | | | Any firm one might contract to build a new retail |
| tremors without collapsing. | | | | structure or a custom home should certainly be one |
| Numerous advancements have been made for | | | | that is already practicing the most advanced and |
| bettering new building construction and to | | | | forward-thinking building and construction methods |
| earthquake-proof new residential, commercial and | | | | available today. This should include all new safety |
| public buildings. These advancements, however, are | | | | measures to protect the structure and its human |
| not necessarily of direct use for those who have | | | | inhabitants or patrons from injury that could occur in |
| older homes or buildings in the Seattle area. | | | | an earthquake. |