[Zeke]

" * Similarly, there are two ways in which a seismic retrofit can be designed for light wood frame houses.
1. The owner or contractor could hire an architect or an engineer to design the retrofit. There are many houses that have complications that will require an engineer or architect to design the retrofit.

2. Another way to retrofit a house is to use a prescriptive standard. How do we know that the prescriptive standards work?

* Example: In a neighborhood of bungalow houses, a single 1920s bungalow house had been retrofitted prior to the Northridge Earthquake. After the quake, it was the only house left standing; the only damage was a fallen chimney.
* Remember that houses retrofitted incorrectly can be damaged just as much as those that were not retrofitted at all."

source: http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/eqmaps/fixit/ch1/tsld009.htm