Earthquake Protection

Shel2n

Let me hear you, now
I don't know, I don't know where I'm a gonna go
when the volcano blow.

[Jimmy Buffett -- "VOLCANO"]

Yes, the BIG ONE will be devastating. It'll happen; we just don't know when. The downtown of the Victorian town I live in will be one big used brick sale.

But, how about the shakers that just unload your shelves and crack plaster? Those are more common and likely to hit every few years. It is very smart to secure bookcases, china cabinets, home electronics including computers, and other items that will fall. Earthquake insurance ranges from expensive to unaffordable with huge deductables up to 25% of the policy limit.

And then there are lahars for some of us. I can see two volcanoes from home. When the lava melts the glacier and the flash flood of mud comes down the valleys, and the lahar warning sirens sound, head for the hills (yes, there are lahar warning sirens and signs for lahar evacuation routes). I don't live in a lahar zone...but we are in a tsunami danger zone. Sure is a fine place to live in all other regards, tho...no hurricanes, moderate weather winter and summer, no poisonous snakes or lizards, no 'gators, eagles fly by the windows nearly every day, great folks....ah ain't movin'.

Good advice Marco, the East Bay just got hit with a 4.2 this morning, good reminder that the Hayward fault is due for a big one. They said if the big one does hit, it would be the most disasterous event in US history since the Bay area is now home to several million people who will somehow be affected.

I grew up in Chicago and remember watching the game in '89 when a big one hit SF. I thought, those idiotics, they know that area is earthquake prone, why are they living there? Well here I am in the Bay Area, 10 years of enjoyment, all I can say, this nice weather better be worth it when it hits.

Haven't done anything to secure my gear, I figured it's a good excuse to the wife to get new stuff when it happens.

I'd assume the guy posting does indeed value his life more than the gear, and is simply asking for a better way to secure it. I live in harm's way in Seattle. Retrofitting homes for earthquake protection is no longer just an option, it's mandatory for any new construction and most renovations. The stuff you point to are band-aids compared to the need to retrofit the house itself for protection. If the house falls on your gear, it won't matter whether it's strapped to the wall and didn't move, it'll probably get damaged. Then again, as has been pointed out, so might you. If you do live in an area that is vulnerable, I would check to see if your home is properly retrofitted (is the frame bolted to the foundation for starters). If not, this can be a pretty straightforward, albeit time-consuming and tedious, procedure if your basement is open (unfinished) and your home is small. It is far more messy and time consuming if your basement is finished. The first step would be to bolt the frame of your house to the sill plate. You need access to your sill plate around the entire perimeter of your house. If your house is large you will likely need to add shear protection and or strapping, which is a major retrofit you may not want to take on yourself. The FEMA link suggests hiring a contractor, but if you take your time and learn the procedure, following instructions to the letter, the sill plate bolting is a simple process requiring the use of a good hammerdrill and some messy epoxy (yes, I've done it myself, as well as for a friend). Again, on a major retrofit on larger multi-story houses I would think twice about doing that myself. In the case of multi-story houses you really should get a structural engineer involved. If your house is not bolted to the foundation, one of the worst things that can happen in an earthquake is for it to slide off the foundation. Once that happens it is extremely difficult to remedy (not sure it can be done actually). If that happens your stereo will be the least of your concerns, though there are some folks here with systems that cost more than other's homes. You can buy all the supplies for a sill plate retrofit (or more involved retrofiting) at your local Home Depot or mega-hardware dealer. The stuff I get here in Seattle is made by Simpson Strong-Tie. If you take on the task yourself do make sure to check with your local building code as to standards for seismic retrofitting. There are very specific standards in each city, and they are not always the same. Finally, if you do the work, or have it done, document it while it is still exposed using a video camera, and or have it inspected and documented by a qualified inspector who is familiar with the local building codes. If nothing else it may help sell your house.

Marco

Your life and your ability to hear, listen, apreciate and crave music come first. Gear can be replaced, you on the other hand... Depending of course of the point of view of someone much nearer the scene than me.

If you get hit by a major quake, your audio system will be the least of your concerns. Check to see if your home-owner's or renter's insurance covers damages due to earthquakes.

MOVE before it`s too late!