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Earthquake-Resistant Home

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Technical Description

Structural strapping and bracing similar to what’s recommended in high-wind areas also helps to make homes more earthquake resistant. In high-risk earthquake areas, foundations should be designed by structural engineers and homes should include hold-down straps to keep walls from shifting. Water heaters and other mechanical equipment must be attached to structural members. All glazing should be tempered glass or have an interior safety film. Gas and propane lines should have flexible connectors and automatic shut off valves. Masonry chimneys should be carefully connected to structural members and should not extend more than 24 inches above the roofline. Simple house shapes perform the best.

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This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.