Seismic Assessments

The assessment will be performed in accordance with CalARP Regulations and Best Practices. The purpose of the CalARP seismic assessment is to reduce the likelihood of release of the regulated substance in the event of a strong earthquake ground motion.

The assessment will cover the structural support and anchor systems in place for the equipment and piping that store or move the regulated substances. A report will be provided that summarizes the assessment results and provide recommendations, where necessary, for actions to be taken to mitigate any deficiencies observed.

The assessment will be based on: 1) A physical inspection of the seismic load resisting elements of the supports in order to identify any deficiency or potential areas of weakness in design, construction, and/or due to deterioration or damage. 2) Sample calculations will be performed, as necessary, for components that appear questionable in the engineer’s opinion.

Any deficiencies noted in the assessment based on the physical inspection and the engineering judgment or analysis will result in a recommendation. When required, detailed evaluations will be noted as a recommended action item in the report.

Task 1: Physical Inspection
The review will include a systematic walkdown of the equipment and associated piping containing the regulated substance to look for potential seismic vulnerabilities.  A special emphasis will be placed on details that may have been designed without consideration of seismic loads or have experienced some physical damage or deterioration.

The walkdown review will also be used to identify whether or not analytical evaluations are necessary, and for what items.  Typically, visual assessments together with the engineers experience with seismic assessments provide an adequate means of qualifying the components at such facilities.

Task 2: Analytical Evaluation
Ground motion for the assessments shall be based on the local seismic hazards. Equipment that is deemed to require additional or detailed evaluations will be noted and recommended. The CalARP Program mandates that engineering calculations be performed by a qualified engineer. 

Task 3: Deliverables
A report will be provided which documents the work.  Our reports are cost effective and have always been successfully accepted by the Administering Agency as part of the CalARP submittal.