Destruction begets pessimism. More so if it happens to be a calamity as natural as an earthquake. The quakes in a couple of parts of Asia last year has resulted in builders and property developers to go for a quick review of their assets and projects. For a prospective home buyer, it is of utmost necessity to introspect as to how worthy is the idea of investing his hard-earned money on a property which is not earthquake compliant and may fall flat any moment. After last year’s earthquake in Japan, a kind of fear-psychosis had gripped people living in Asia, with prospective buyers shelving plans for a second thought at a later time to acquire their new property.
So it becomes imperative that a prospective home buyer does not leave anything to chance – even a natural calamity like an earthquake. All architects agree that it is not an earthquake that kills people, it is the collapsing buildings that do. And preparedness can ensure safety up to cent per cent in such an event.
The buyer of a home must understand that every nation and city has its own code for earthquake-resistant buildings based on the location in the seismic map. So when you are shortlisting your homes in a location try to speak to the architect who had built the property and find out whether the property is earthquake compliant or not. If you are constructing a house from the scratch, make sure that that you spend some time with the architect in designing an earthquake resistant home. Lay stress in using lightweight construction materials wherever you can without of course compromising with the design and finish of the house.
For prospective buyers, it is important for him to know the history of the plot of land or to ensure that the construction he is planning to buy has necessary certification about safety norms from a reputed firm.
Among other things, it is also important to for you as the buyer to know certain basic things about quake-resistant building structures.
- Ensure that the design made has good structural rigidity all the while having flexibility to move with the earthquake.
- For high-rises steel crossbeams are the latest technique. A solid concrete core – such as the lift-shaft in the center – and sheer concrete walls, along with crossbeams, are extremely earthquake resistant.
While nobody can control nature’s fury, what you as a buyer can do is to follow established and time-tested safety norms. Most established architects and developers do follow safety norms when designing and building properties. Having said that, as a buyer you should always remember that nothing can match consciousness. It’s a good trend to be conscious and aware. Awareness is the best solution when it comes to choosing your home which is earthquake resistant.
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