How safe is a 3-story condo complex built in 1970 from earthquake? (San Diego: apartments, houses)

[justsomeguy]

I live in a large condominimum complex, 3 stories high, built around 1970. I live on the 3rd floor. Any idea how safe it would be in event of an earthquake? Was it built up to earthquake code being so long ago? Looks to be adobe.

[bloom]

Also these old type craftsman homes?

[kettlepot]

California's first set of seismic building codes were put into place after the 1933 LA earthquake. The codes were upgraded after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. They were probably upgraded again either after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake or the 1994 Northridge quake.

On the negative side, this building has missed out on the last two seismic code upgrades. If there was a 7 or greater earthquake you might be at some risk. However, on the positive side, in recorded memory San Diego has never had a 7 or greater earthquake.

If you want to take extra care, I would suggest observing whether the the apartment is built on top of solid mesa land, or on sandy canyon land. The latter might be subject to liquefaction which wasn't understood in 1933 or 1971.

Update:

In regards to liquefaction from another thread today:

Originally Posted by mricu

Everyone in our three story building here in Mission Valley evacuated. Things fell out of cupboards and bookcases. I swear that I saw the floors themselves shaking .. but it could be just me. Pretty damn scary considering we just moved to California and never felt an earthquake before.

Mission Valley is sandy river bottom land. Apparently, the quake was felt pretty strongly there. I live nearby, but on a mesa top, and didn't feel effects anywhere near that severe. No cupboards or bookcases spilling out contents, just rolling and creaking of the floor joists.

[Boose]

I also noticed more reports from Mission Valley of fallen items and cracks. We live on the second story of a 1967 Huffman hovel in Hillcrest, and I didn't even lose one tiny knickknack from my shadowbox (hung on just two nails).
As far as one-story bungalows go... I've read that the most common problem that occurs during MAJOR quakes is that the house can slide sideways off the foundation if it has not been bolted to it. But I don't have any professional knowledge of this.

[oddstray]

Another problem during major quakes is structures that are build half on rock and half on fill. And in a hilly area like San Diego, that's not uncommon. It tends to result in more building damage.

[thepinksquid]

I live in Mission Valley, and was here during the quake earlier. I live in a house built in the early 2000s, and although everything definitely shook quite a bit there was no damage/nothing fell or broke.

[bloom]

What's an Hoffman hovel?

[Gentoo]

I also noticed more reports from Mission Valley

the shaking was probably a bit worse here in MV as it's built on river sediment.

[RD5050]

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

I live in a large condominimum complex, 3 stories high, built around 1970. I live on the 3rd floor. Any idea how safe it would be in event of an earthquake? Was it built up to earthquake code being so long ago? Looks to be adobe.

Well ... today was a good test for it.

Is it still standing? Any damage?

That would be your answer.

[Boose]

Originally Posted by bloom

What's an Hoffman hovel?

From a 2008 kettlepot post about City Heights:
"The original salt boxes were small, but they had their appeal. Now the majority of the buildings are 6 pack and 8 pack apartments, built along the Huffman Hovel model, with paved in front yards for parking that still isn't adequate."

Ray Huffman was a developer who constructed a lot of the Mid-City apartment houses of the '60s and '70s - the stucco boxes with sliding windows and varying style treatments applied to the facades. His name is usually on a metal plaque set into the front walkway. Ours is a 9-pack faced with lava rock and wrought iron latticework - the ugliest place on the street, but also the most affordable.