Seismic Information - Frequently Asked Questions

Situations Requiring Seismic Evaluation & Mitigation

At a minimum, a building should be evaluated and unacceptable risk mitigated when any one of the following occurs:

1. A change in building's function which results in a significant increase in building's level of use, importance, or occupancy,
2. A project is planned which significantly extends building's useful life through alteration or repairs that total more than 50% of the replacement value of the facility,
3. The building or part of the building has been damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or any other cause to the extent that structural degradation of building's vertical or lateral carrying systems has occurred,
4. Seismic study of the building has found the building to be an exceptionally high risk to occupants or the public at large, or
5. The building is added to VA inventory through purchase or donation after the adoption of H-08-8 (now designated H-18-8), Seismic Design Requirements.

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