USRC launches earthquake rating system

by Katie Daniel | December 11, 2015 12:17 pm

117171_73_MCWI_N8 — The U.S. Resiliency Council (USRC) has launched a new rating program that provides building owners with a building’s earthquake performance level. Photo courtesy SGH

The U.S. Resiliency Council [2](USRC) recently introduced its Earthquake Building Rating System, which tells building owners the performance level of a building during an earthquake.

“The Earthquake Building Rating System is an important new and consistent way for owners, residents, users, and other key stakeholders to understand and compare seismic risk,” said Glenn Bell, CEO of engineering firm, Simpson Gumpertz and Heger (SGH), a founding member of USRC. “By providing a reliable and transparent way to assess a building’s expected performance during an earthquake, the system helps users make informed decisions.”

USRC intends to expand its resiliency ratings to include other natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.

The council has 64 founding members from professional organizations, including earthquake and structural engineering firms, architects, contractors, and hardware and software suppliers. It was co-founded by Ron Mayes, a staff consultant at SGH.

Endnotes:

[Image]: http://www.constructionspecifier.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/117171_73_MCWI_N8.jpg
U.S. Resiliency Council : http://www.usrc.org/

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/usrc-launches-earthquake-rating-system/