Tag Archives: older homes

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEISMIC RETROFITTING (GUEST POST)

For owners of older houses and buildings that are on the Pacific Coast, an important consideration they must take into account is the need for seismic refitting. This method of refitting older buildings to make them safer from earthquakes is an important part of being a responsible citizen. Not only is it the owner’s duty, but there can also be financial penalties for building owners who do not comply.

When an earthquake occurs, the shaking ground moves buildings in a side-to side manner that causes them to shake and shimmy. When this occurs, the most vulnerable parts of the house are the cripple walls. The cripple walls are the walls found along the perimeter of the home. These are the walls that are under the most stress when an earthquake happens, and it is these walls that will first collapse from the stress of a seismic tremor.

Therefore, the first step in seismic refitting is…

1. Secure the cripple walls

The cripple walls are braced with plywood that will give them added strength to resist the violent movement they experience during an earthquake.

2. Bolt the cripple walls to the foundation

Once the cripple walls are reinforced, they will not be easy to break. However, now the house itself will be in danger of sliding off the foundation during an earthquake. In order to prevent this, the next step in seismic refitting is to bolt that cripple walls to the foundation. When this is done, the home will stay securely attached to the foundation during the violent side-to-side movement of the earth’s surface that occurs during earthquakes and their aftershocks.

3. Bolt the floors to the cripple walls

The next important step in the seismic refitting process is to bolt the floors of the house to the cripple walls. If this is not accomplished, then the other procedures will mean little. The house will simply shake back and forth until it tips over due to the outstanding force involved. Nailing the floor to the cripple walls will prevent this.

The floor will be attached to the sturdy cripple walls, which are in turn attached to the even sturdier foundation. These structures reinforce each other so that the building is now a secure structure that will be able to withstand the force of all but the most violent temblors.

Prepare your staff

If you own an office building, seismic retrofitting is only part of earthquake preparedness. Be sure that have an emergency plan in place, and ensure that all of your employees are adequately prepared to reach safely in the event of an earthquake.

Also, whether you’re protecting an office or your home, be sure to secure anything that could cause injury or death if it were to fall or move. This may include attaching large pieces of furniture to the wall, and ensuring that everything at risk is properly braced or secured.

Protect your building
The key to making your home or business safe from the ravage of earthquakes is in following these three steps to seismically refit them, and taking all the necessary precautions. These methods have been proven to strengthen even the oldest home, bringing them up to code. Doing this will not only keep your buildings safe, but it will provide your family with a secure structure that they can weather the violent motion of an earthquake in. This is a great feeling of peace of  mind when you have a safe zone like this.

If you fail to take these steps, you may be liable for financial penalties depending upon your jurisdiction. You also could face a lawsuit if anyone was hurt in your home during an earthquake. Do the right thing. Get a seismic refitting done on your old building today.

Jason Kane firmly believes that workplace safety should always be the number one priority in any workplace. He is a blogger for Federal Steel Supply, Inc.

Note: This is not a DIY project, but one for professionals, who have the training to undertake such an important task.  These workers should be equipped with hardhats, gloves, safety glasses, and other personal protective equipment.  pb

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Respiratory Safety

Five Serious Issues To Be Aware Of In Older Homes (Guest Post)

1 Comment
Sent to us courtesy of Cormac Reynolds.
 
Older homes come with a lot of character, especially when compared to the relatively dull designs of the modern day. However, whether you want a Victorian house in Brighton or a classical abode in Devon, there are a number of issues that continuingly rear their heads with old homes.
 
However, don’t let the thought of this put you off your dream – just make sure that the house is checked out before you purchase it. So, what are the issues to watch out for?
 
Piping and Wiring
 
One of the most common problems found with older homes comes in the shape of the pipes and wires used to bring utilities into the home. Lead pipes are very common in older homes that were built before the 1940s, however in some cases lead was used to join copper pipes until the 1980s. A filtration system is the best way to take care of issues caused by these pipes. A full refit will demand parts of the home to be destroyed and also costs significant amounts of money.
 
Old wiring can also be a serious issue in older homes and in many cases it is not grounded. This can be seen if the home has two prongs instead of three. Many parts of these older homes also didn’t come with ground fault interrupters in areas with water. This means that the power would not be cut off completely if it comes in touch with water. Building surveys can help with this sort of cable avoidance.
 
Cesspools and Septic Tanks
 
Many older homes that now run on the mains originally had wells or septic tanks on the property. This can cause all sorts of problems if a contractor unearths one unknowingly. They may need to be removed if you are intending on extending to a new area and it’s always best to have an underground utility detection survey before building onto any area of an old home.
 
Radon Gas
 
Considered to be a leading cause of lung cancer, radon gas enters the home through cracks in the floor. In the USA the Environmental Protection Agency estimates around 5 per cent of homes have Radon gas issues and advise a building survey to be done by contractors or home inspectors before moving in.
 
Asbestos
 
This material has been used since ancient times as an insulator and causes all sorts of problems. The material is often safe depending on the context it is used in. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and get it checked out. Asbestos was used for furnaces and boiler insulation and also for water pipes. If it needs to be removed a professional is required to do so.
 
Lead Paint
 
Another common problem from days of yore is the use of lead paint in homes, though is not harmful unless it is ingested. However, if you have small children around the home they tend to nibble on things such as work surfaces and this has been known to cause issues.  Exterior lead paint is also known to flake and end up becoming airborne and landing in vegetable patches, causing issues for plants and food stuffs.
 
If you are looking into purchasing an old home ensuring a good survey is done can help prevent any surprises or issues and ensure you home is perfect to live in.
 
Cormac Reynolds works for Sumo Services a UK company that provides underground survey and services all over the UK.
 
 For those folks who want to do certain repair jobs on their older home, there are all types of home safety PPEthat will be a good investment, such as gloves, goggles, and respirators.  In buildings with asbestos, one can never be too careful.