Is it possible that a building could be uninhabitable after an earthquake, even with no structural damage?
ANSWER:
The heating and air conditioning system equipment are considered to be non-structural components of the building. If the building has little or no structural damage but the water piping or air conditioning systems have torn loose or broken down, the building may still be unoccupiable. And the resultant loss of revenue could do more damage to your business than the earthquake did. It is important to have a member of the Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Manufacturer’s Association (VISCMA) design and/or review the anchorage of your systems.