"Securing Your Space" (buildings) refers to the structure of your home or business. These also refers to elements not part of the structure (floor/ceiling/walls) but are considered part of the building, for instance, electrical systems or mechanical systems such as heating, water, etc. If your building is an older single family home, it likely is not reinforced to withstand significant shaking. These houses are vulnerable due to a variety of issues (ie. the wood frame is not bolted to the concrete foundation, poor foundation, and/or cripple walls are unreinforced).

Since many buildings have weaknesses; the good news is they can be earthquake strengthened. The links below are common building problems and solutions.

Determine your building problem(s), prioritize how and when to fix them, and GET STARTED. Refer to the sources listed each page. Need help? Consult our guide on "How to Hire Someone to Help" such as a qualified professional contractor or engineer.

In addition to securing your building, also consider how to "Secure Your Space" inside these structures.

Common Structural Problems

Houses (Single-family residences and up to 4 units)

• Foundation Issues
• Home Not Bolted (or Not Properly Bolted) to Foundation
• Weak Cripple Walls
• Post-and-Pier Foundations
• Unreinforced Masonry Foundations
• Other Foundation Issues
• Homes Built on Steep Slopes
• Houses with Unreinforced Masonry Walls
• Concrete or Masonry Walls Not Anchored to:
• To Roof or Floor — The Problem
• To Roof or Floor — Solution 1
• To Roof or Floor — Solution 2
• Parapets and Cornices
• Additional Info: Unreinforced Masonry Walls and Parapets: Signage in CA
• Rooms over Garages
• Concrete Tilt-up
• Mobile Homes
• "Soft Story" on First Floor of Multi-Unit Buildings
• Unreinforced Masonry Chimneys
• Homes with Unique Designs

Condos, Apartments, Mobile Homes (Renters may need to consult owners)


• Concrete Tilt-up
• "Soft Story" on First Floor of Multi-Unit Buildings
• Unreinforced Masonry Foundations
• Other Foundation Issues
• Unreinforced Masonry Chimneys
• Concrete or Masonry Walls Not Anchored to:
• To Roof or Floor — The Problem
• To Roof or Floor — Solution 1
• To Roof or Floor — Solution 2
• Parapets and Cornices
• Additional Info: Unreinforced Masonry Walls and Parapets: Signage in CA
• Poorly Reinforced Concrete Walls/Columns
• Strengthening Concrete Walls/Columns
• Mobile Homes
• Other Unusual and Irregular Building Types

Commercial, School, or Multi-Family Buildings


• Examples of Damage to Commercial/Multi-Family Buildings
• Concrete Tilt-up
• "Soft Story" on First Floor of Multi-Unit Buildings
• Unreinforced Masonry Chimneys
• Concrete or Masonry Walls Not Anchored to:
• To Roof or Floor — The Problem
• Parapets and Cornices
• Additional Info: Unreinforced Masonry Walls and Parapets: Signage in CA
• Poorly Reinforced Concrete Walls/Columns
• Strengthening Concrete Walls/Columns
• Steel Frame Building Issues
• Retrofitting Steel Frame Buildings
• Poorly Anchored Exterior Cladding and Signage
• Other Unusual and Irregular Building Types
• Other Vulnerable Features

Vulnerable Non-Structural Components

Houses, Single Condos/Apartments (Renters may need to consult owners)

• Items covered under Secure Your Stuff

Commercial, School, or Multi-Family Buildings


• Also see Secure Your Stuff
• Unattached or Unbraced Building Contents
• Exiting:
• Canopies
• Doors
• Stairwells
• Communications:
• Equipment Racks
• Data Centers and Server Rooms:
• Access Floors
• Computer Equipment:
• Fixed Anchorage
• High Friction Skids
• Motion Isolators
• Electrical Systems:
• Cable Trays
• Emergency Batteries
• Emergency Power System
• Wiring
• Mechanical Systems:
• Filtration Tanks
• HVAC Units
• Rooftop Heating Unit/Duct
• Rooftop Mechanical Units
• Suspended Air Conditioning Units
• Piping
• Overhead Elements:
• Unbraced Ceiling Systems
• Suspended Ceilings
• Ceilings for Concrete and Steel Buildings
• Ceilings for Wood Buildings
• Ceiling-Mounted Lights and Ventilation Grills
• Pendant-Mounted Lights
• Ducts
• Space Heaters
• Glass:
• Windows and Objects
• Large Windows

Much of this content is from the Homeowner's Guide to Earthquake Safety (HOG), 2005 edition — a publication of the California Seismic Safety Commission (CSSC).