New Homeowner’s Safety Checklist
ü
Re-key
exterior locks
ü
Change
mailing address
ü
Meet
neighbors and exchange contact details
ü
Install
automatic gas interrupt/shut off valve
ü
Secure
water heaters, cupboards and furniture
ü
Create
fire safety zone around house by cutting back vegetation
ü
Consider
purchasing earthquake insurance
ü
Learn
about Neighborhood Alert & Emergency Prep groups on your block
ü
Get
up to $5,000 reimbursement from
What Does Retrofitting Mean?
While newer homes meet the latest seismic building codes, older homes — particularly pre-1989 Loma Prieta Homes — may be vulnerable in a Magnitude 6.7 or higher earthquake. Retrofitting an older home increases the likelihood that your home will withstand a major earthquake. There are three elements to a retrofit:
1.
Bolt or
anchor mud sill to foundation
2.
Add plywood
panels to the inside of crawl spaces (cripple walls)
3.
Attach first
floor to cripple walls
Location and Soil Conditions Make a Difference
The City of
Depending on your home’s construction, location (hillside or relatively flat surface) and other construction elements, you may be able to use a prescriptive retrofit design, such as Plan Set A, or you may require a custom engineered design. You can download an easy-to-read sample from http://quake.abag.ca.gov/fixit. As standards for other types of structures are developed, the City will accept additional Plan Sets as appropriate.
Check with City Building Officials (238-3891) to determine what your house requires.
How Much Will It Cost?
Actual cost will depend on your individual circumstances.
In
This is a good time to consider investing in a retrofit for your new home. The cost can be incorporated into your mortgage so that you can for it over time, rather than all at once.
Where Can I
Learn More?
The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) has a
useful website that explains what we might expect following a major earthquake
in the Bay Area and offers tips on the many ways you can take proactive steps
to protect your family and your property.
It includes an easy to understand print out of Plan Set A, which meet
the City of
For the full description of the City of
Other Useful
Resources:
American Red Cross, Bay Area Chapter — http://www.redcrossbayarea.org/training/register.htm
Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (C.O.R.E) — http://www.oaklandnet.com/fire/core/about.html
Creating a Disaster Recovery Kit, National Credit Union Association — http://www.ncua.gov/Publications/Index.htm
Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety, California Seismic Safety Commission— http://www.seismic.ca.gov/pub/CSSC_2005-01_HOG.pdf
Oakland Public Library’s Temescal Tool Lending Library,
Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country: Your Handbook for the San
Francisco Bay Region— http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2005/15/gip-15.pdf
72hours.org, City and
Congratulations
on Becoming a New
We know that owning a home is a major commitment, and that you want to do all that you can to protect your newest investment.
That’s why the City of
Here’s
How…
File
an application for a Retrofit Permit —
Within 60 calendar days of
recording transfer of ownership with the Alameda County Clerk, bring the following
to the City of Oakland Building Department, 250,
§
a certified copy of the recorded instrument of
ownership transfer,
§
an approved document establishing the purchase
price of the residential building,
§
photographs of all sides of the house taken from
as far away as possible to show the kind of elevation, size of house, slopes,
type of structure, etc. Also bring
approximate measurements of the house, and
§
a check for $250 for the flat retrofit permit
fee.
Complete
Your Retrofit Plan —
The City must approve your retrofit plan within 180 days from application. If necessary, you can pay a $72.30 extension fee if you need extra time.
Complete
Your Retrofit —
You’ll have one year following approval of the permit to
receive a Certificate of Completion from the City of
Other Tips for
New Homeowners
To
protect your view, take pictures with a date stamp embedded in the photo — and
learn about
Order
your trash pickup and learn about
http://www.oaklandpw.com/Page33.aspx
You
must register your burglar alarm system with the City of
Contact Oakland Homeowners Loans & Grants for home
repair and improvement — (510) 238-3909 or
http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/hcd/loansgrants/rehab.html
Join
your local Neighborhood Watch (238-3091) or CORE (Citizens of Oakland Respond
to Emergencies) group (238-6351) — it’s a quick way to become part of your
local community.
Visit
the City website at http://www.oaklandnet.com
for additional city resources.
Information
provided by
Jean Quan
www.jeanquan.org