Section 501B — PURPOSE

The purpose of this chapter is to promote public safety and welfare by reducing the risk of death or injury that may result from the effects of an earthquake on existing unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings.

The provisions of this chapter are intended as minimum standards for structural seismic resistance for earthquake ground shaking and are established primarily to reduce the risk of life loss or injury. Compliance with these provisions will not necessarily prevent loss of life or injury, or prevent earthquake damage to rehabilitated structures, or protect against the release of hazardous materials, or protect the function of essential facilities. These provisions are not intended to mitigate ground failure hazards such as liquefaction. The Community Safety Element of the General Plan of the City and County of San Francisco should be consulted for areas most susceptible to ground failure.

Time limits are given for owners of unreinforced masonry bearing wall buildings to submit an inventory of each building and an evaluation of the degree of risk presented by the building. Priorities and time limits are established for work to be completed.

Requirements for seismic strengthening of unreinforced buildings are contained in Chapter 5C.