Los Angeles Requires Soft-Story Seismic Safety Analysis

By Alfred Fraijo Jr. and Tetlo Emmen on April 25, 2016
Posted in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), New Rules and Legislation

The City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (DBS) has released its list of wood frame soft-story buildings that may be required to undergo mandatory retrofitting.  The list can be obtained by request to DBS, and the LA Times has provided a searchable version of the list here.  The publication of the list follows on the heels of the Los Angeles City Council’s enactment of an ordinance requiring mandatory earthquake retrofitting for non-ductile concrete buildings and wood frame soft-first-story buildings in October of 2015.

The list identifies approximately 13,500 buildings that may potentially require earthquake retrofitting.  Inclusion on the list does not mandate retrofitting; it requires only that building owners within one year of receipt of formal notice from DBS prepare a structural analysis showing whether their buildings meet the earthquake standards promulgated in the ordinance.  Inclusion on this list does not constitute notice; the time periods in the ordinance do not begin until a property owner receives the formal notice from DBS.  Notices are expected to be sent in May on a rolling basis, beginning with the largest buildings (those with more than 16 units will be targeted first, then buildings with three or more floors, followed by the remainder of the list).

If the initial structural analysis indicates that the building does not meet the earthquake standards in the ordinance, the owner must submit plans for retrofitting the building and a structural analysis of those plans that demonstrates compliance with the ordinance.  All permits for retrofitting must be obtained within two years of receipt of a notice, and retrofitting (or demolition) of the building must be completed within seven years.

This list targets soft-story buildings.  It does not identify non-ductile concrete buildings that were also included within the purview of the ordinance and subject to retrofitting requirements.  Further detail on the retrofitting requirements imposed on non-ductile concrete and soft-story buildings is located here.

 

Career Survival: Put Stress In it's Place

The project you are working on is overdue and the boss is starting to ask questions. You are having trouble catching on to the latest computer program you are supposed to be learning. Your child's school just called for a parent-teacher interview and it sounds like there's trouble. You are worried about how you will pay next month's rent. Your head aches, your stomach hurts, and your hand is shaking so hard it's difficult to hold a cup of coffee. Have you ever felt overwhelmed like this?

When you are overloaded with stress, it's hard to focus on working safely. Your inattention may cause you to trip over an unseen obstacle, cut your finger in a paper cutter, or wander into the wrong lane while driving. Whether the stress is job-related or caused by off-the-job responsibilities, the result can be the same - accidents.

 

Look for these signs of stress overload:

• 
  An inability to concentrate on your task, daydreaming, brooding or excessive worrying can all be a sign of too much stress. Forgetfulness and a feeling of worthlessness can also indicate that you should make some changes in your life. 
• Emotional tension is an indicator of stress. For example, feeling anxious and unhappy, having trouble sleeping and being easily startled. Other indications that you are under too much pressure may include feeling overwhelmed by your daily tasks and being unable to separate small difficulties from larger problems. 
• Physical symptoms may include headaches, pounding heart, indigestion, high blood pressure, cold and clammy hands, and trembling. It all adds up to extra wear and tear on your body. 

 

At some point in our lives everyone will experience stress, but it isn't always caused by unhappy events. Weddings, a new baby, a different job or a new home can all contribute to the tension that you experience. By looking after your health and learning to manage your time more effectively, you can reduce the harmful side-effects of stress. Try the following suggestions to reduce your stress and increase your safety:

 

• Practice good health habits. Get enough rest at night and exercise for at least a half-hour several times a week. Eat regular nutritious meals which are high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low in fat, sugar and salt. 
• Avoid drugs, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine which might give temporary relief but eventually only add to your stress load. Instead, learn some relaxation techniques from sources such as books and tapes, recreation centers, self-help programs and therapists. Try to find at least 15 minutes a day to spend on your favorite hobby. 
• Make a few small changes at a time to help you cope. If you are worried about money, organize a goal for saving a small amount each month or set up a family budget. Learn to say "no" to extra social commitments which would increase your stress level. But remember to fit in some activities which you do enjoy. 
• Learn to think positively about life and other people. By looking for the good in every situation, you can teach yourself to cope with the ups and downs of life. 
• Keep your sense of humor. Some of the most stressful experiences can be quite funny when you look back at them. 

 Everyone experiences stress. Learn to manage it so that you can maintain your health and peace of mind - and work effectively and safely. And recognize when you truly can’t cope. If you feel overwhelmed and it’s just too much to handle, see your doctor.

 

 

© 2016 Bongarde

 

 

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service. 

 

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com

Stop Parenting Your Staff

by Beth George

It's a joke in my office.  At least, I hope it's a joke.  I am the office 'mom'. All too often I find myself (or am made aware of) saying 'you need to...', or 'this is what you should...', or any number of 'mom-isms'.   I raised 4 kids and have 4 grandkids. It's ingrained in my soul to be the mom.

While my office-mates know my intentions are the best and I care deeply about them, it's still annoying.  I know this.  And I consciously try to curb the parenting.  With an even slightly different group of people, my intended upside has the potential for a serious downside.  Someone could easily read my 'caring' as:

• A lack of confidence in the decisions other make - as though I don't trust them to do the right thing unless I tell them what that is.
• A lack of respect for the maturity of others - apparently they are not grown-up enough to make their own decisions.
• A commentary on their intelligence - as if they aren't smart enough to know what to do.

None of these things are true about my office-mates, or my staff in other offices. I am blessed to work with, and for, amazing people.  We are family-close.  I'd hate for anyone to take me wrong, so I need to work harder to stop my mothering. 


 


Additionally, the more I tell others what to do, the less they will listen to me when I actually have an important point to make (kind of like kids). 


Do you parent your staff?  What type of reactions do you get?  How did you stop? I'd love to hear your stories!

Beth George is the Director of Business Development for Converse Consultants and has been annoying her co-workers for 19 years.

Converse Consultants is an industry leader in geotechnical engineering, and environmental, groundwater and materials sciences. We are celebrating our 70th year of service.

For more information about Converse please contact Beth George at bgeorge@converseconsultants.com