ARE YOU AT RISK? 

 

If you aren’t sure whether your business is at risk from earthquakes, check with your local building 
official, city engineer, or planning and zoning administrator. They can tell you whether you are in an 
earthquake hazard area. Also, they usually can tell you how to protect your business from earthquakes. 

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO 

 

Protecting your business from earthquakes can involve a variety of actions, from inspecting and 
maintaining your buildings to installing protective devices. Most of these actions, especially those that 
affect the structure of your buildings or their utility systems, should be carried out by qualified 
maintenance staff or professional contractors licensed to work in your state, county, or city. One 
example of earthquake protection is properly anchoring heavy equipment. 

 

 

ANCHOR EQUIPMENT PROPERLY 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To control the vibrations created by heavy 
equipment, many businesses install such 
equipment on spring-loaded platforms or mounts, 
known as vibration isolators. Isolators are 
designed to absorb the vibrations created by the 
normal operation of the equipment, but not the 
excessive movement that can occur during an 
earthquake. Earthquake forces, coupled with the 
weight of the equipment, can stretch the isolator 
springs beyond their ability to rebound. As a 
result, the isolators can fail, equipment can be 
overturned, utility line connections can be broken, 
and workers may be injured. 

 

In earthquake hazard areas, anchoring equipment 
directly to the floor or another suitable part of the 
building is preferable to mounting equipment on 
vibration isolators. If isolators are used, they 
should be securely anchored and they should be 
equipped with snubbers. Snubbers allow small 
motions resulting from normal operation of the 
equipment but prevent the equipment from moving 
beyond the limits of the springs during 
earthquakes. 

Text Box: VIBRATION ISOLATOR MOUNT EQUIPPED WITH SNUBBER FOR USE IN EARTHQUAKE HAZARD AREAText Box: MOUNTING BRACKETText Box: VIBRATION ISOLATOR ASSEMBLY FOR NORMAL OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT, NOT FOR EARTHQUAKE PROTECTIONText Box: SNUBBER LIMITS MOTION OF EQUIPMENT DURING EARTHQUAKEText Box: ANCHOR BOLTS IN CONCRETE FLOORText Box: EQUIPMENT MOUNTED ON ISOLATOR PLATFORM
TIPS 

 

Keep these points in mind when you anchor heavy equipment: 

 

.. The multipurpose isolator system shown on the front of this sheet is designed to absorb 
equipment vibrations resulting from normal operations and to prevent excessive motion during 
an earthquake. Systems of this type can be used for newly installed equipment and as 
replacements for existing isolator systems that do not include snubbers or other restraints. 



.. Equipment mounted on vibration isolators must be able to move freely. Be sure to use flexible 
connections wherever utility lines, piping, and ductwork are attached to the equipment. 



.. Before anchoring equipment to floors or walls, make sure they are strong enough to resist 
earthquake forces. 



.. Tall pieces of equipment with narrow bases are more likely to overturn during earthquakes and 
will therefore need additional anchoring. 



.. Equipment suspended from the ceiling must also be braced to resist earthquake forces. 



.. The equipment manufacturer or dealer may be able to provide or recommend mounting 
methods and hardware for use in earthquake hazard areas. 





ESTIMATED COST 

 

The cost of anchoring a piece of heavy equipment will depend on its size, weight, location, and 
operation; the type and number of utility lines connected to it; and the anchoring method used – rigid 
connectors or vibration isolators. 

 

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION 

 

Seismic Retrofit Training for Building Contractors and Building Inspectors: Participant Handbook, 
FEMA, 1995 

 

Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide, FEMA-74, 1994 

 

Protecting Your Home and Business from Nonstructural Earthquake Damage, FEMA, 1994 

 

National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Handbook for the Seismic Evaluation of Existing 
Buildings, FEMA 178, 1992 

 

National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Handbook for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing 
Buildings, FEMA 172, 1992 

 

To obtain copies of FEMA documents, call FEMA Publications at 1-800-480-2520. Information is also available on 
the World Wide Web at http//:www.fema.gov.