Contractors Wanted: Earthquake Brace + Bolt Expands in 2015
Residential seismic retrofit program improves foundation safety for homes constructed before 1940
Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB), an earthquake retrofit program that provides a financial incentive for homes built before 1940, will be available in January 2015 in 26 California ZIP codes. EBB will offer homeowners up to $3,000 to retrofit, thereby reducing the potential for homes to slide or topple off of their foundations during an earthquake.
The seismic retrofit includes a process to add anchor bolts and bracing in the crawl space ("cripple wall") to improve the connection between the wooden framing and concrete foundation. Contractors experienced in seismic retrofitting, specifically with California Existing Building Code (CEBC) Chapter A3, 2010 Edition, are sought after for this work.
Contractors can participate in the program at no charge and be added to a searchable contractor list by completing the online FEMA education training.
EBB's 2015 program will be offered in the following ZIP codes:
Contractors who want to participate should register and take the FEMA training as soon as possible so they are on the program's list of contractors when homeowner registration opens; homeowner registration takes place from January 15 to February 15, 2015.
The program is offered by the California Residential Mitigation Program, a joint powers agency of the California Earthquake Authority and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
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