Los Angeles Building Code — LAMC Chapter IX Div. 88 (CA)

EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS

(Division 88 Added by Ord. No. 159,068, Eff. 7/29/84, Oper. 1/29/85.)

Section
91.8801	Purpose.
91.8802	Scope.
91.8803	Definitions.
91.8804	Rating Classifications.
91.8805	General Requirements.
91.8806	Administration.
91.8807	Historical Buildings.
91.8808	Analysis and Design.
91.8809	Materials of Construction.
91.8810	Information Required on Plans.
91.8811	Design Check – Compatibility of Roof Diaphragm Stiffness to Unreinforced Masonry Wall Out-of-plane Stability.
91.8812	Violations.
91.8813	Special Requirements for Vacant Buildings.

SEC. 91.8801. PURPOSE.

(Amended by Ord. No. 171,939, Eff. 4/15/98.)

The purpose of this division is to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings constructed before 1934. Such buildings have been widely recognized for their sustaining of life hazardous damage as a result of partial or complete collapse during past moderate to strong earthquakes.

The provisions of this division are minimum standards for structural seismic resistance established primarily to reduce the risk of loss of life or injury and will not necessarily prevent loss of life or injury or prevent earthquake damage to an existing building which complies with these standards. This division shall not require existing electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire-safety systems to be altered unless they constitute a hazard to life or property.

This division provides systematic procedures and standards for identification and classification of unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings based on their current use. Priorities, time periods and standards are also established under which these buildings are required to be structurally analyzed and anchored. Where the analysis determines deficiencies, this division requires the building to be strengthened or demolished.