Earthquake is considered as the most dangerous natural calamity that causes massive destruction. In the past, we have witnessed many countries succumbing to this natural calamity in the form of a heavy death toll as well as massive destruction of properties. To protect your family from such disastrous situations, you should buy an earthquake-resistant apartment or house.

You would be surprised to know that our country has the maximum number of earthquake unsafe buildings. In December 2014, the Supreme Court of India passed explicit instructions on earthquake safety through public interest litigation. It states that all multi-storey buildings with more than five storeys, should have an engraved metal plate mentioning the earthquake-resistant category of the building. But despite this, real estate developers fail to maintain a higher level of transparency in this regard.

Therefore, if you want to buy an earthquake-resistant flat, you need to remain cautious. In this regard, here, we have shared some useful tips.

Check the location- Almost 54 percent of land in India is under high risk of Earthquakes. The National center for seismology has divided the entire country into five zones i.e., zone 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. While zone 5 areas are most susceptible to high-intensity earthquakes, localities under zone 1 are the safest. The entire Northeastern region, Himalayan region, and the Eastern and Western parts of India lie in the high seismic zone. So, if you live in these areas, ensure that your House or apartment is designed to withstand earthquakes with a minimal force of 7.

Inspect the structure of the house- Despite strict provisions by the government to build earthquake-resistant homes, the majority of buildings in India do not follow the prescribed techniques for earthquake-resistant construction. To find out whether your house is earthquake resistant or not, it is best to hire a civil engineer.

Look for earthquake-resistant foundation- An earthquake-resistant house is the one that comprises a solid foundation. Ideally to resist the ground force, the building’s foundation should be lifted above the earth. The foundation should comprise bolts. And, the foundation should be constructed on top of flexible pads made of steel, rubber, and lead. This ensures that during earthquakes, the isolators vibrate while the structure remains steady.

Find out whether the house is made from earthquake-resistant material- Generally houses are made up of stacked bricks that are held together with mortar. But such a construction does not ensure safety from earthquakes. Civil engineering experts suggest that the most dangerous structures are the constructions with concrete block or unreinforced bricks. Ideally, if your area is prone to earthquakes, then your house’s walls should be made from concrete and wood. And, if your area is under high risk of earthquake, then ensure that the walls of your future house are reinforced through additional concrete or steel slabs.

Conclusion:– With the above-mentioned tips in hand, we can ensure that our future house is adept with all the retrofits and seismic improvements. Before buying a house, you must check the risk of earthquakes in your area. If your city is under high damage risk zone, then you should ensure that your future house is 100 percent earthquake resistant. To ensure this, you must scrutinize the structural design and materials used for construction. If you lack knowledge and experience to check this on your own, then it’s best to hire a civil engineer.

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