The Seismic Safety Paradox: Why "Meeting the Code" Is No Longer Enough for Your Investment
In the world of construction and real estate development, there is a common but dangerous belief: "If it meets the code, my investment is 100% protected."
The reality is quite different. We call this The Seismic Safety Paradox.
The Myth of "Minimum Code" The traditional philosophy of building codes (even modern ones) has one absolute priority: Life Safety. This means that in the event of a major earthquake, the goal is for the building not to collapse so that occupants can evacuate safely.
However, the code tolerates severe damage. A building can be perfectly legally compliant yet remain structurally compromised and unusable after a seismic event.
The Hidden Risk to Your Capital For an investor or owner, life safety is non-negotiable, but it is not the only variable.
Downtime: If your industrial plant, hospital, or corporate headquarters must close for 6 months for structural repairs, how much revenue will your business lose?
Asset Loss: In many cases, repairing a building designed to "minimum standards" is more expensive than demolishing it.
The Riera Engineering Vision: Resilience and ASCE 7-22 The paradigm has shifted. Advanced standards like ASCE 7-22 and Performance-Based Design approaches allow us to go further.
At Riera Engineering, we don't just design for the building to stay standing; we design for Resilience. This implies:
Operational Continuity: Structures that allow for a quick resumption of activities after an earthquake.
Investment Protection: Minimization of both structural and non-structural damage.
Long-Term Value: A resilient asset maintains its value over time.
Conclusion: Meeting the code is a legal obligation; designing for resilience is a strategic business decision.
Is your project truly insured against hidden seismic risks? Don't let "minimum design" compromise your company's future. Contact Riera Engineering today for a strategic assessment of your assets.
