Provides engineers involved with the seismic evaluation of existing buildings with guidance concerning the potential earthquake related risk to human life posed by a building or building component.

Provides the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Mitigation Directorate with 25 recommended tasks that should be undertaken through the agency's Existing Buildings Program (EBP) in the coming years. The EBP's expanded but continuing mission in seismic rehabilitation is to limit fatalities, life-threatening injuries, & property & economic losses from earthquakes by increasing the number of seismically resistant buildings in all areas of identified earthquake risk. Identifies 4 objectives & 25 tasks to help make our building stock less vulnerable to earthquake damage. Seeks to provide the continuity necessary for an effective Existing Buildings Program.

Provides a process for seismic evaluation of existing buildings in any region of seismicity. Buildings are evaluated to either the Life Safety or Immediate Occupancy Performance Level. Provides instruction to the evaluating design professional on how to determine if a building is adequately designed and constructed to resist seismic forces. All aspects of building performances are considered in terms of foundation/geologic, structural, hazard, nonstructural issues. Reflects advancements in technology; incorporates design professional experience; incorporates lessons learned during recent earthquakes; and much more.

This document from the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) was prepared for the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It provides commentary on the NEHRP Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings. It contains systematic guidance enabling design professionals to formulate effective & reliable rehabilitation approaches that will limit the expected earthquake damage to a specified range for a specified level of ground shaking. This kind of guidance applicable to all types of existing buildings & in all parts of the country has never existed before. Illustrated.