Episode 9 – What’s the Earthquake Hazard at your address? Find your Seismic Design Category
This podcast looks at how you can use seismic design category maps for International Residential Code to gain some insight into the earthquake hazard at your address so you can make informed decisions about retrofitting, earthquake insurance, and other preparedness actions. Dr. Mike Tong, a senior physical scientist at FEMA, and Kelly Cobeen, a registered civil and structural engineer, will explain what seismic design categories are, how you can find your category, and what you can learn from it.
Mai (Mike) Tong
Dr. Mai (Mike) Tong is a senior physical scientist at FEMA, where he oversees FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program projects that produce technical guidance and code resources for new buildings. He served as the FEMA project officer on the development team that produced the seismic design category maps for 2024 International Residential Code and International Building Code.
Kelly Cobeen
Kelly Cobeen is a registered civil and structural engineer and Principal of Wiss Janney Elstner Associates in their San Francisco area office. Her interests include the earthquake resistance of both new and retrofitted light-frame construction. Among her many code development, research, and educational activities, she participated in the development of the seismic design category maps and their adoption into the International Residential Code and International Building Code. (link to bio)
Episode 9 Transcript Link
Show Notes
- 2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions: Seismic Design Category Maps for 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) | FEMA P-2192-4, April 2023 (link to PDF)
- How to find and understand your seismic design category (webpage): crew.org/whats-the-earthquake-hazard-at-your-address/
- Webinar: “Introduction to 2024 Edition of the IRC/IBC Seismic Design Category Maps and FEMA’s Building Code Strategy Implementation to Advance National Building Code Adoption” | National Institute of Building Sciences (nibs.org): View the webinar recording
- FEMA NEHRP Fact Sheet: Seismic Building Code Provisions for New Buildings to Create Safer Communities (fema.gov)
- Earthquake Resistant Design Concepts: An Introduction to Seismic Provisions for New Buildings, 2nd Edition | FEMA P-749, September 2022 (link to PDF)
- International Code Council (ICC) Code Adoption by State, I-Code, or Country: Map
- Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (USGS Earthquake Hazards Program)
Learn how to prepare your home or business:
- Listen to Ready to Recover podcast #10 on earthquake retrofitting (link to webpage)
- Earthquake Country Alliance: Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety
- Seismic Home Hazard Hunt, FEMA 528, 2014
- Earthquake Safety at Home FEMA P-530, March 2020
- Earthquake Safety Checklist FEMA B-526, October 2023
- American Red Cross tips for making a family disaster preparedness plan
Hazus Estimated Annualized Earthquake Losses for the United States | FEMA P-366, April 2023