Industrial & Commercial Seismic Retrofitting
Strengthen your building against earthquake risk.
Protect your industrial, commercial, or multi-family building from earthquake damage with seismic retrofit solutions designed for your unique needs.
At Saunders Seismic, we help make your industrial or commercial building safer and stronger. A seismic retrofit lowers earthquake risk, protects lives and property, and helps you meet lender, insurance, and code requirements.
If your building was built before 1997, it may not meet current safety standards—making an upgrade essential to prevent damage or collapse and protect
its value.
Retrofit Solutions Customized to Your Building
We tailor every project to your building’s use, occupants, and structural needs. Working from engineering plans, we deliver upgrades that meet insurance and lender requirements, including SUL targets below 20.
Our crews focus on safety, work efficiently, and minimize disruptions so you can complete your retrofit with confidence.
What you can expect:
Specialized Expertise
Decades of commercial and industrial retrofit experience across multiple building types.
Custom Solutions
Minimal Tenant Disruption
1. Initial Consultation
We review your building type, usage, and project goals to determine the best retrofit approach.
2. Engineer Coordination
If you don’t have an engineer, we’ll connect you with one experienced in commercial and industrial retrofits. Choosing the right engineer is critical, as design decisions set the tone for the entire project and directly impact cost, constructability, and schedule.
3. Plan Review
We assess engineering designs for constructability, cost efficiency, and compliance before submission to the city.
4. Construction Execution
Our in-house crews handle all retrofit phases with careful attention to safety, quality, and schedule.
5. Final Inspection and Handover
We ensure your retrofit meets all standards and provide documentation for lenders, insurers, and city records.
How Our Industrial & Commercial Seismic Retrofitting Work
Our process is designed to deliver a retrofit that meets safety standards, fits your budget, and protects your operations:
Our process is designed to deliver a retrofit that meets safety standards, fits your budget, and protects your operations:
1. Initial Consultation
We review your building type, usage, and project goals to determine the best retrofit approach.
2. Engineer Coordination
If you don’t have an engineer, we’ll connect you with one experienced in commercial and industrial retrofits. Choosing the right engineer is critical, as design decisions set the tone for the entire project and directly impact cost, constructability, and schedule.
3. Plan Review
We assess engineering designs for constructability, cost efficiency, and compliance before submission to the city.
4. Construction Execution
Our in-house crews handle all retrofit phases with careful attention to safety, quality, and schedule.
5. Final Inspection and Handover
We ensure your retrofit meets all standards and provide documentation for lenders, insurers, and city records.
Types of Buildings We Retrofit
Tilt-Up Concrete
Strengthen wall-to-roof connections.
Non-Ductile Concrete
Improve flexibility to absorb seismic forces.
Steel Frame
Enhance stability and connection strength.
Unreinforced Masonry (URM)
Reinforce walls to prevent collapse.
Soft-Story Buildings
Strengthen vulnerable lower levels.
What our clients have to say
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“In order to be effective in the event of an earthquake, a seismic retrofit needs to be completed with good craftsmanship and according to plan.
With this in mind, I will continue to seek Saunders’ expertise for future seismic retrofit projects; because I know the work will be done right and without any hiccups.”
Peter Lineweaver
LEGACY PARTNERS
FAQ
How do I know if my building needs a retrofit?
If your building was constructed before 1997 in an earthquake-prone area, it may not meet modern seismic codes. Beyond safety concerns, lenders, insurers, and even some city mandates may also require retrofitting. We can arrange an inspection to confirm your building’s condition and help you understand the requirements that apply.
Timelines vary depending on building size, complexity, and occupancy needs, but most retrofits take several weeks to a few months. We’ll give you a realistic schedule up front.
Most retrofit work is focused on structural elements and is minimally visible once complete. If exterior changes are needed, we’ll review them with you before work begins.
Yes – this is one of our specialties! We plan projects to minimize disruption, often working in phases or off-hours to keep tenants safe and business operations running smoothly.
In some areas, yes—certain building types fall under local retrofit ordinances. Even if it’s not required now, voluntary retrofitting can prevent future compliance issues and improve safety.