Below are publications and tools made available by FEMA for self-study and instruction in how to reduce the seismic vulnerability of new and existing buildings and their contents.
Looking for additional publications? Visit the Index of Earthquake Publications. For instructor-led training courses, visit the National Earthquake Technical Assistance Program (NETAP).
Residential
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Homebuilders’ Guide to Earthquake Resistant Design and Construction Presents seismic design and construction guidance for one- and two-family light-frame residential structures, including information that supplements the 2003 edition of the International Residential Code. Can be used by homebuilders, homeowners, and other non-engineers. (2006, 226 p) Available online and in print through the FEMA Library. (Note: Complementary training materials are under development.) | FEMA 232 |
| Seismic Rehabilitation Training for One- and Two-Family Dwellings: Program and Slide Presentations PowerPoint slides describe the effects of earthquakes on wood-frame dwellings, common seismic vulnerabilities, rehabilitation approaches, and available guidelines. Includes instructor’s guide and supporting materials in addition to annotated PowerPoint presentations. (2010). Available online and on CD through the FEMA Library. (Note: An instructor-led FEMA P-593 training course is available through NETAP.) | FEMA P-593 |
New Buildings
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Earthquake-Resistant Design Concepts: An Introduction to the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures Written for nontechnical audiences, this publication provides a readily understandable explanation of the intent and requirements of seismic design in general and the Provisions in particular. (2010, 110 p). Available online and in print through the FEMA Library. | FEMA P-749 |
| NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures. 2009 Edition 2009 edition of the Provisions adopts the ASCE/SEI 7-05 standard by reference and is organized as one volume with three parts. The Part 2 Commentary is an excellent training guide that explains seismic design using the ASCE 7 standard. Part 1 contains the actual design criteria and Part 3 a series of papers on emerging seismic design concepts. The CD-ROM version contains the Provisions, design maps, and supporting materials. (2010, 406 p). Available online, in print, and on CD through the FEMA Library. | FEMA P-750 |
| NEHRP Recommended Provisions: Design Examples Provides design examples for different construction materials and building configurations that demonstrate the design procedures used in the 2003 edition of the Provisions. (2006, 860 p). Available online and on CD through the FEMA Library. (Note: An updated version based on the 2009 Provisions is under development.) | FEMA 451 |
| NEHRP Recommended Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures: Training and Instructional Materials PowerPoint slides present earthquake engineering training based on the 2003 edition of the Provisions. Can be presented to engineers or architects by a qualified speaker, used by individuals for self-study, or incorporated into classroom instruction on earthquake-resistant design. (2007). Available on CD through the FEMA Library. (Note: An updated version based on the 2009 Provisions is under development.) | FEMA 451B |
Existing Buildings
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Earthquake Safety and Mitigation for Schools Attendees learn how to assess and analyze seismic risks; how to develop actionable plans for reducing and managing these risks; how to secure nonstructural elements of school facilities; and how to use “incremental seismic rehabilitation” as an affordable approach for protecting existing buildings and ensuring occupant safety. (2011, 1 hr). Available online as a recorded webinar, Earthquake Safety and Mitigation for School Buildings. | FEMA 395 Webinar |
| Incremental Seismic Rehabilitation of School Buildings (K–12) Provides school administrators and board members with information needed to assess seismic vulnerability of existing school buildings and implement incremental seismic rehabilitation programs. (2003, 76 p). Available online and in print through the FEMA Library. | FEMA 395 |
| Rapid Observation of Vulnerability and Estimation of Risk Smart-phone application enables use of RVS procedure (FEMA 154) and procedure for post-earthquake safety evaluation of buildings (ATC 20) on handheld devices. Available only through NETAP. | ROVER |
| Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings for Potential Seismic Hazards: A Handbook. Second Edition For use by trained personnel to identify potentially hazardous buildings before an earthquake. Rapid visual screening (RVS) procedure identifies, inventories, and ranks buildings according to their expected safety and usability after earthquakes. The CD-ROM version includes training resources (PowerPoint slides, student manual, sample forms). (2002, 164 p). Available online, in print, and on CD through the FEMA Library. (Note: An instructor-led FEMA 154 training course is available through NETAP.) | FEMA 154 |
| Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage—A Practical Guide, Fourth Edition Describes sources of nonstructural earthquake damage and provides specific guidance on methods to reduce associated risks. Updated fourth edition with many new elements. (2011). Available online and through the FEMA Library. (Note: A complementary training webinar is under development, and an instructor-led FEMA E-74 training course is available through NETAP.) | FEMA E-74 |
| Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings Describes a wide range of seismic retrofitting techniques used for standard building types. (2007, 571 p). Available online, in print, and on CD through the FEMA Library. | FEMA 547 |
| Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings Videos Series of training videos, each covering selected portions of FEMA 547, consisting of PowerPoint slides and accompanying audio narration. (2010). Available for purchase from the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. | FEMA 547 Videos |
Special Topics
| Title | Number |
|---|---|
| Designing for Earthquakes: A Manual for Architects Explains the principles of seismic design for architects without technical backgrounds in engineering and seismology. Each chapter is authored by an expert in the field. (2006). Available online through the FEMA Library. | FEMA 454 |
| Earthquake Mitigation for Hospitals PowerPoint slides describe cost-effective seismic mitigation techniques for securing nonstructural components in hospitals, including medical equipment, shelving, files, parapets, computer systems, infrastructure systems, and more. Enables hospitals to reduce losses and maintain operations during and after earthquakes. Available on CD from the FEMA Publication Warehouse at (800) 480-2520. (Note: An instructor-led FEMA P-767 training course is available through NETAP.) | FEMA P-767 |
Last Updated:
08/18/2016 - 08:28