(A) The purpose of this subchapter is to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of earthquakes on unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings constructed before 1934. Such buildings have been widely recognized for their sustaining of life hazardous damage as a result of partial or complete collapse during past moderate to strong earthquakes.
(B) The provisions of this subchapter are minimum standards for structural seismic resistance, established primarily to reduce the risk of life loss or injury, and will not necessarily prevent loss of life or injury or prevent earthquake damage to an existing building which complies with these standards. This subchapter shall not require existing electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire safety systems to be altered unless they constitute a hazard to life or property.
(C) This subchapter provides systematic procedures and standards for identification and classification of unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings based on their present use. Priorities, time periods and standards are also established under which these buildings are required to be structurally analyzed and anchored. Where the analysis determines deficiencies, this subchapter requires the building to be strengthened or demolished.
(D) Qualified historical buildings shall comply with the requirements of the State Historical Building Code (SHBC) established under Cal. Administrative Code, Part 8, Title 24.
('65 Code, § 8-15.01) (Ord. 321-C.S., passed - - )