Making building codes an effective tool for earthquake hazard mitigation

Abstract

Investigators picking through the debris left by the Northridge earthquake in 1994 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992 found building codes had not provided the degree of protection against damage that many expected. We provide evidence that the problems of code enforcement in the United States that were uncovered for these events are not unique. We show the seismic provisions of codes receive low priority for enforcement by many local building departments, even in areas of moderate to high seismic hazard. Drawing lessons from experience in the United States with programs to foster greater energy efficiency in buildings, we discuss how the federal government and states can make building codes a more effective tool for earthquake hazard mitigation. Although the lessons we draw are specific to the United States, the broader implications of this research concern the role of higher-level governments in motivating local governments to address risks posed by natural hazards.