Establishing a Federal Earthquake Risk Management Standard
Headline: Federal Government Ordered to Strengthen Earthquake Resilience of Buildings
What it does: Agencies must ensure federal buildings meet updated earthquake-resistant codes, adopt seismic standards, designate coordinators, and report progress.
- Changes design and construction requirements for new federal buildings.
- Adds retrofit and safety standards for existing federal buildings.
- Requires agencies to name coordinators and file progress reports.
Summary
This order requires federal departments and agencies to strengthen earthquake resilience for buildings the government owns, leases, finances, or regulates. New and altered buildings must follow updated earthquake-resistant building codes, and existing buildings must meet adopted seismic safety Standards.
Agencies must designate Seismic Safety Coordinators, follow implementing guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and submit progress reports on implementation. The order applies only within the United States and revokes prior federal seismic safety orders.
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