Is your apartment earthquake safe ?

INDIA has been classified into different zones indicating the intensity of frequency of occurrence of earthquake.

These zoning maps indicate broadly the seismic coefficient that could generally be adopted for design of buildings in different parts of the country.

These maps are based on subjective estimates of intensity from available information on earthquake occurrence, geology and tectonics of the country

Delhi / NCR are located in zone IV which has fairly high seismicity where the general occurrence of earthquakes is of 5-6 magnitude, a few of magnitude 6-7 and occasionally of 7-8 magnitude. Delhi / NCR thus lie among the high-risk areas. So in these areas buildings must be designed in such a manner that they can bear earthquake of 4.5 magnitudes on Richter scale.

Multistory flats

In case of a multistory flat you don’t have a chance to check whether the building is earthquake resistant or not. The only left options are that you should rely on the builder.  According to experts, for each and every flat we cannot test if it is earthquake resistant or not rather the whole building is tested. The structural design of the building can be taken from the developer and get checked from the experts.

Houses built on plots

If you are going to build a house on the plot, so you can have a chance to make it earthquake resistant. Soil testing is the most important task, it shows how much weight can the soil bear and this directly means the number of floors that can be built on the land. In technical terms, this means the soil's weight bearing capacity. Nowadays the earth quake resistant houses are built on the frame structure instead of load bearing structure, in which the whole building is based on a column. Columns are placed two to two and a half meters below the ground level. It is necessary to insert bend (beam) in floor level, lintel level, semi-permanent level (top) and side level (doors – side windows). Now the question arises:

Who will test the soil?

Several Semi Government and the private agencies are there to test the soil. There are certain Independent Insurance Surveyors also that perform this task. A certificate is issued after an investigation.

What are the outcomes of investigation?

·        How much load per square centimeter the soil can afford?

·        Whether the soil is ok for construction?

·         What is the water level in the area?

·         What is the correct ratio of water level and bearing capacity?

·        Is the soil hard or soft?

Who is responsible in case of damage?

After testing the Surveyor and Building Design Structural Engineer issue a certificate. In case of any damage to the building they can be held accountable.

What is safe?

·        Bars used in the column must be at least 12 mm thick.

·         Foundation should be at least 900 by 900.

·        At least 12 mm thick steel bars should be used in the Lintel beam (beam above the door) and in putting.

·         Depending on the thickness of the concrete, thickness of steel can be varied.

·         Higher quality steel should be used. High elasticity steel strengthens the building.

·        Use of good quality construction material.

Consider the above points before purchasing a flat or constructing a plot, and have HAPPY LIVING in your dream home.