Some 4,000 Buildings In SF Could Collapse In A Big Earthquake: Report

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — San Francisco estimates that nearly 4,000 buildings could fall if a major earthquake strikes, though the city's list is preliminary and includes some inaccuracies.

On the heels of a large earthquake that rattled much of Southern California on Monday, San Francisco officials are moving forward this week with a sweeping plan to evaluate the seismic safety of thousands of concrete buildings, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

On Wednesday, the city's Building Inspection Commission is set to vote on an ordinance that would require owners of concrete buildings to hire an engineer to complete a seismic safety screening form. It could cost between $300 and $3,200 per building, the newspaper reports.

If the ordinance passes, the city believes it will have a much more accurate list of which buildings are actually vulnerable to hopefully sway property owners to seismically retrofit them.

“Ensuring that San Franciscans and visitors can trust in the safety of our built environment is crucial for our City,” said Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who introduced the measure. “This legislation will give us the information we need to better prepare for when the ‘Big One’ comes.”

The measure does not mandate retrofits, but it establishes a framework for identifying hazards and sets standards for voluntary upgrades. Officials say the effort is especially critical in downtown neighborhoods like South of Market and the Tenderloin, where many of these buildings are concentrated.

Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle: S.F. fears nearly 4,000 buildings could be at risk in an earthquake. It could soon know for sure