Risk Management Series

Primer for Design Professionals 
Communicating with Owners and Managers of New Buildings on Earthquake 
Risk 


 
FEMA 389 / January 2004




TABLE OF CONTENTS


1 INTRODUCTION  1-1


1.1	 Impetus for Updating the Prior Documents in the 
FEMA Seismic Considerations Series 1-3

1.2	 Objectives and Scope of this Document    1-5

1.3	 Document Contents and Organization   1-6

1.4  Document Formatting and Icons   1-8





2 SEISMIC RISK MANAGEMENT   2-1


2.1	 Seismic Risk: An Overview   2-1

2.2	 Seismic Risk Management: A Holistic Approach for 
Reducing Earthquake Impacts   2-4

2.3	 Evaluating Seismic Risk Consequences as a Basis for 
Developing a Risk Management Plan    2-6

2.4	 First Cost or Design Strategies   2-9

2.5	 Operating Cost or Business Strategies    2-13

2.6	 Event Response Strategies   2-16

2.7	 Choosing an Optimal Combination of Risk Reduction 
Strategies   2-18

2.8	 Example Implementation of a Risk Management 
Program   2-21

2.9	 Seismic Risk Management Advocacy   2-22





3	IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING EARTHQUAKE-
RELATED HAZARDS   3-1


3.1	 Introduction   3-1

3.2	 Earthquake Ground Shaking Hazard    3-1

3.3	 Collateral Seismic Hazards   3-8

3.4	 Other Collateral Hazards   3-10

3.5	 Guidance for Assessing Earthquake-Related Hazards    3-16

3.6	 References and Further Reading    3-21





4	PERFORMANCE-BASED ENGINEERING:
AN EMERGING CONCEPT IN SEISMIC DESIGN   4-1


4.1	 Seismic Design Provisions in Building Codes   4-1

4.2	 Expected Performance when Designing to Current 
Codes    4-3

4.3	 Current Specifications for Performance-Based 
Seismic Design   4-6

4.4	 Impact of Performance-Based Strategies on
Future Design Codes   4-18

4.5	 Guidance for Design Professionals    4-23

4.6	 References and Further Reading    4-24





5	IMPROVING PERFORMANCE TO REDUCE 
SEISMIC RISK  5-1


5.1	 Introduction   5-1


5.2	 Selection of Structural Materials and Systems  .5-2

5.3	 Selection of the Architectural Configuration  5-5

5.4	 Consideration of Nonstructural Component 
Performance  5-6

5.5	 Quantifying the Benefits of Improved Performance    5-11

5.6	 Costs of Improved Performance    5-19

5.7	 Case Studies of Cost and Performance 
Considerations    5-23

5.8	 Quality Control During the Construction Process    5-30

5.9	 Recommendations for Improving Seismic 
Performance   5-31





6	DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES RELATING
TO COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDINGS    6-1


6.1	 Introduction   6-1

6.2	 Ownership, Financing, and Procurement   6-2

6.3	 Performance of Office Buildings in Past Earthquakes    6-2

6.4	 Performance Expectations and Requirements   6-5

6.5	 Seismic Design Issues    6-5





7	DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES RELATING
TO RETAIL COMMERCIAL FACILITIES  . 7-1


7.1	 Introduction   7-1

7.2	 Ownership, Financing, and Procurement   7-2

7.3	 Performance of Commercial Retail Facilities in 
Past Earthquakes    7-3

7.4	 Performance Expectations and Requirements   7-4

7.5	 Seismic Design Issues    7-4





8	DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES RELATING TO
LIGHT MANUFACTURING FACILITIES   8-1


8.1	 Introduction   8-1

8.2	 Ownership, Financing and Procurement    8-2

8.3	 Performance of light Manufacturing Facilities in 
Past Earthquakes    8-3

8.4	 Performance Expectations and Requirements   8-4

8.5	 Seismic Design Issues    8-4





9	DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES RELATING
TO HEALTHCARE FACILITIES . 9-1


9.1	 Introduction   9-1

9.2	 Ownership, Financing, and Procurement   9-2

9.3	 Performance of Healthcare Facilities in Past 
Earthquakes   9-3

9.4	 Performance Expectations and Requirements   9-5

9.5	 Seismic Design Issues    9-6





10	DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES RELATING
TO LOCAL SCHOOLS (K-12)  10-1


10.1  Introduction   10-1

10.2  Ownership, Financing, and Procurement   10-2

10.3  Performance of Local Schools in Past Earthquakes  10-2

10.4  Performance Expectations and Requirements   10-3

10.5  Seismic Design Issues    10-4





11	DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ISSUES RELATING
TO HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES (UNIVERSITIES)   11-1


11.1  Introduction   11-1

11.2  Ownership, Financing, and Procurement   11-2

11.3  Performance of Higher Education Facilities 
(Universities) in Past Earthquakes  11-2

11.4  Performance Expectations and Requirements   11-4

11.5  Seismic Design Issues    11-5






12	RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS
 WITHIN THE DESIGN TEAM   12-1


12.1  Responsibilities of the Structural Engineer, Architect, 
and MEP Engineer   12-1

12.2  Developing a Unified Approach Within the Design 
Team   12-1

12.3  Engineering Services for Added Value of Risk 
Management   12-2

12.4  Communicating Seismic Considerations Issues to 
the Building Owner    12-2

12.5  Design and Construction Quality Assurance   12-10

 

REFERENCES  13-1



PROJECT PARTICIPANTS   14-1