Simple Tips to Buy Earthquake Proof Flat

Earthquakes are considered to be the most dangerous natural disaster that causes mass destruction. In the past, we have seen many countries committing suicide due to this natural disaster as a massive death as well as mass destruction of properties. To protect your family from such devastating situations, you should buy an earthquake resistant apartment or house.

You will be surprised to know that earthquakes are the most vulnerable buildings in our country. In December 2014, the Supreme Court of India passed clear instructions on earthquake safety through a PIL. It states that all multi-storied buildings over five storey's should have an engraved metal plate mentioning the building's anti-earthquake range. But despite this, real estate developers have failed to maintain a high level of transparency in this regard.

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

Check the location - About 54 percent of the land in India is at high risk of earthquake. The National Center for Seismology has divided the entire country into five zones, namely, zones 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. While Zone 5 areas are susceptible to high-intensity earthquakes, areas under Zone 1 are the safest. The entire northeastern region, the Himalayan region and the eastern and western parts of India are located in a high seismic zone. Therefore, if you live in these areas, make sure that your house or apartment is designed to withstand earthquakes with a minimum force of 7.

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

Look for an earthquake-resistant foundation - An anti-earthquake house is one that has a solid foundation. Ideally, the foundation of the building should be raised above the earth to resist ground forces. The foundation must include a bolt. And, the foundation should be built on a flexible pad made of steel, rubber and lead. This ensures that during an earthquake, isolators vibrate while the structure remains stable.

Find out if the house is made of earthquake-resistant material or not — usually houses are made of stacked bricks that are laid with mortar. But such construction does not ensure earthquake protection. Civil engineering experts suggest that the most dangerous structures are constructions with concrete blocks or unconfined bricks. Ideally, if your area is prone to earthquakes, the walls of your house should be made of concrete and wood. And, if your area is at high risk of earthquake, make sure the walls of your future house are reinforced through additional concrete or steel slabs.