Building standards, often called building codes, provide the first line of defense against potential earthquake damage and help to ensure safety in buildings designed and constructed in conformance with the codes. It is important to find out if the local building regulations provide for earthquake protection in the project location. If they do, then comply with the regulating provisions with respect to planning, design and construction, including typology of construction and quality materials for use in areas of seismic hazard.
Reviewing local building regulations is essential for setting the standards for planning, design and construction. Similarly, it is necessary to analyze if these regulations take into consideration the low earthquake hazard in the region and provide sufficient protection. This can be understood in discussions with the local engineering community, especially those serving with the local government. It is equally important to understand how often and when these standards were last revised. Earthquake information and engineering developments are rapid, and standards that have not been revised for more than five years may not meet requirements for project design. In such cases, more stringent design standards may have to be followed.
According to the building standards in some countries, the design will be influenced by how important the building is (depending upon the functional use of the building, the hazardous consequences of its failure, its post-earthquake functional needs, historical value, occupancy or economic importance). If the local building codes do not reflect the seismicity of the area, consider adopting and complying with building standards from other regions sharing similar geological conditions and earthquake hazards. In many countries, seismic hazard is not considered in building standards either because these are rare events or because the earthquake history is incomplete. However, it should be remembered that rare events can happen within the lifespan of the building and result in large losses.
More Information:
The Importance of Building Codes in Earthquake-Prone Communities: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1410554614185-e0da148255b25cd17a5510a80b0d9f48/Building%20Code%20Fact%20Sheet%20Revised%20August%202014.pdf