Preparing For An Earthquake 
Are you ready?

Everyone needs to know where and how to turn off all utilities to your home. We will often see these shutoff locations inaccessible, never block a gas meter shutoff valve, water shutoff or breaker panel! In an emergency you must be able to shut these off or risk your life, fire, explosion, electrocution or serious water damage.

The main shutoff for most homes are sometimes hard to find. Since there these valves are rarely used the will often leak when you turn them off. For these reasons, we recommend that you locate your main shutoff at your water meter. This valve is usually under a cover near the sidewalk or at the edge of the road. Open this cover and look for the valve, you will need a tool to turn this off. There are a couple types of valves, so it is important to look at yours and make sure you have the proper tool to turn off the water. Most of then can be turned with an adjustable wrench, similar to the valve on a gas line. Others may require a special tool available at your local hardware store. If you are on a well, familiarize yourself with the equipment in your pump house so you know how to turn off the pump and water valves.

Natural Gas -

These shutoffs are located at the meter, It is best to have a wrench that tethered to the meter, so you know it is there when you need it. If you Propane tanks have shut off valves at the lines connecting them to the home or appliance. If you ever smell a strong odor of gas (rotten egg smell) shut off the gas immediately, turn off the electricity (this can prevent explosions or fire) and open all the doors and windows. Call 911 for the fire department and the gas company to locate and isolate the gas leak.

Electricity -

You should know how to turn off the power to your home, usually there is a main shutoff in the breaker panel or at the power meter. Occasionally there is no single main shutoff, in this case, turn off every breaker in the panel. If you home has a fuse box there will sometimes be a shut off at above or beside the box. If there is no shut off, then unscrew each fuse and lay them out in the same pattern as they were in the box. This is so you can replace each fuses in the proper location and not mix up the amperages of the circuits. Most older home also have 2 or more pull out fuse holders, so remove these also.

Hot Water Heaters -

When there are earthquakes, water heaters well often fall over. All water heaters should be anchored to walls. These straps should be heavy steel, not flimsy 'plumbing straps". A standard water heater can easily weigh over 400 pounds and plumbing straps are inadiquate. Most people only worry about gas powered heaters, but we are concerned with all of them. An electric heater that falls over will cause a huge leaking mess not to mention the power connected is typically 20 amps 240 volts! This can easily kill anyone that comes in contact with an electrified puddle

Many home suffer significant damage when they shift off their foundations or the walls that attach the home to the foundations buckle. While it is no guarantee, proper anchor bolts, shear walls, and positive post to beam connections make a home much more resistant to the movement during and earthquake.

Anchor bolts -

Most modern homes have these installed when the concrete is poured. They also can be retrofitted after construction.

Another option is to have seismic anchors attached to the sill plates and bolted into the foundation. This type of retrofit can not only strengthen the home, buy may make you eligible for reduction in homeowners earthquake insurance rates.

Pony Walls -

Also known as cripple walls are susceptible to collapse in an earthquake. The lateral movement when the earth starts moving can cause this kind of failure.

Most homes only have diagonal wood bracing, and this is often not strong enough to resist collapse. Shear walls have plywood nailed to them as in the diagram below.

Post to Beam Connections, Joist Hangers -

A positive connection where post meet beams and where beam meet each other is usually a very simple step, cheap and all connections should have them. Many structures and decks are lacking joist hangers, again, a simple and cheap fix that can save your life and help your home survive and earthquake.

More Information -

See this pamphlet provided by the city of San Leandro for more expert information on earthquake retrofits

These videos have some great tips on earthquake preparedness and survival.

Preparing For An Earthquake

Also see videos on:
Surviving an Earthquake 
Earthquake Kits

Professional Affiliations

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