(Added by Ord. No. 171,261, Eff. 8/30/96.)
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 reinforced concrete and masonry wall buildings with flexible diaphragms designed under the building codes in effect prior to January 1, 1995. These buildings are potentially hazardous and prone to significant damage, including possible collapse, in a moderate to major earthquake. These structures typically shelter large numbers of persons and property for retail, food markets, food distribution centers, warehousing, aerospace, industrial/manufacturing and general business and office use. Their continued use after an earthquake is also essential to the local economy and its post-earthquake recovery.
The provisions of this division are minimum standards for structural seismic resistance established primarily to reduce the risk of loss of life or injury on both subject and adjacent properties and will not necessarily prevent all 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 voluntary retrofit standards for deficient wall anchorage systems on structures that are not subject to the mandatory provisions of Division 91, Article 1, Chapter IX of the LAMC. When fully followed, these standards will strengthen the portion of the structure that is most vulnerable to earthquake damage. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)