Lying at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains is the exclusive residential area of Bel Air. Home to Hollywood’s, and the music industries, elite stars and performers. Just off the Sunset Boulevard, are two gated entrances to the ritzy community. The quiet streets are lined with gated entrances and sweeping driveways leading to mansions and million dollar homes.
But no amount of money can save you from the natural disaster of an earthquake. Longtime residents of southern California know that it is only a matter of time until the “Big One” strikes. Will you be prepared? The best way to protect your property and your loved ones, is to have a Bel Air of Los Angeles soft-story retrofit contractor do an assessment of your property. After this has been completed, they will tell you where your property is vulnerable and what can be done to correct it.
How do I know if my building qualifies for a soft-story retrofit?
There are many types of buildings 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.
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 serving Bel Air, 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. Soft story buildings were hit hard in the 1994 earthquake.
Understanding the process.
Like many owners in Bel Air you may have been issued a notice to retrofit your property. The next step is to begin the process. Your professional Retrofitting 360 contractor will help you with the entire process. The date to have the retrofit completed is by 2022. First, an assessment 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 commence.
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. Look to Bel Air Retrofitting Contractors, such as 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 isn’t a question of if it will happen, but when it will happen.
