A.5.3.1.1 General

A. To improve seismic safety in older buildings and to preserve existing housing, project applications for substantial rehabilitation and refinance/acquisition must comply with the relevant standards published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and its affiliate, the Structural Engineering Institute (ASCE/SEI). The relevant standard is ASCE 41-13 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings.

B. For all applications, the Earthquake Spectral Response Acceleration Parameters SXS and SX1 values for hazard level BSE-1E must be entered in the CNA e-Tool. The values for SXS and SX1 may be obtained from a Seismic Design Map obtained from tools available online. The US Geological Survey website lists thirdparty Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) available to use: https://www.usgs.gov/naturalhazards/earthquake-hazards/design-ground-motions

C. The values generated should be entered in the identified spaces for SXS and SX1 in the CNA e-Tool and a report printout in “.pdf” file format should be attached and uploaded in the e-Tool. The following are the

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Appendix 5 Architectural and Construction Analysis A.5.3 Seismic Resistance and Fire Protection

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parameters for generating the SXS and SX1 values that will be used for determining whether a seismic evaluation will be required:

1. Building Code Reference Document, which must be “ASCE 41-13”.

2. Earthquake Hazard Level analysis procedure, which should be “BSE-1E,” whereas the hazard level applied in the seismic analysis shall be per ASCE 41-13 requirements.

3. Site Soil Classification, which should be entered as one of the five International Building Code defined possibilities (1-hard rock, 2-rock, 3-very dense soil and soft rock, 4-stiff soil, 5-soft clay), which may be obtained from the relevant local building code official with jurisdiction.

4. Latitude & Longitude (or site address) of the property.

D. A seismic hazard and building performance analysis report (Seismic Report) must be submitted with the loan application unless the property is exempt as described in Appendix 5, Section A.5.3.1.2 below.

1. The Seismic Report should include an examination of the structure for continuity, ductility, and resistance to lateral forces.

2. The analysis shall assume a building performance objective of “life safety” as defined by ASCE 41-13.

3. Mitigation must be provided to meet minimum life safety requirements. In general, this means that for a design earthquake (i.e. a measure of the anticipated event), the building may be expected to avoid partial or total structural collapse, or damage to nonstructural components which damage would be life threatening, e.g., damage leading to fire, blocked egress, release of hazardous materials, etc.

E. Section 223(a)(7) applications. A new Seismic Report is not required if such study was done as part of the original insurance application. A new report must be submitted with the application if the property site’s Design Earthquake Spectral Response Acceleration Parameters exceeds the threshold for exempt buildings as defined below in Appendix 5, Section A.5.3.1.2 and no Report was completed previously.