Preface

Under its ongoing “Seismic and Multi-Hazard Technical Guidance Development and Support” contract (HSFEHQ-04-D-0621) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Applied Technology Council (ATC) was awarded a task to update the third edition of the FEMA 74 report, Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage – A Practical Guide, issued by FEMA in 1994. This project was designated the ATC-69 project and completed in 2012.

This fourth edition of the FEMA 74 document (renamed FEMA E-74) explains the sources of earthquake damage that can occur in nonstructural components and provides information on effective methods for reducing risk associated with nonstructural earthquake damage. It is intended for use by a nontechnical audience that includes building owners, facility managers, maintenance personnel, store or office managers, corporate or agency department heads, and homeowners. FEMA E-74 updates both the content and the format of the report. A considerable amount of new information now exists as a result of ongoing National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) activities, local and state government programs, private sector initiatives, and academic work focused on reducing the potential for nonstructural earthquake damage. In addition, the document has been redesigned for use on the internet. The new format makes it simple to browse, review focused information, print selected details and download spreadsheets, checklists and other useful tools.