CREW developed the Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building Survey Workflow Guidebook to help local jurisdictions in any state plan and implement surveys of unreinforced masonry buildings in their communities.
The goal of conducting a URM-building survey is to create an inventory of buildings that are vulnerable to severe earthquake damage. The inventory can be used for a number of purposes, including to:
- Help communities and building owners understand their risk.
- Show local jurisdictions what to prioritize and where to focus mitigation resources.
- Provide vital information for emergency response and recovery planning.
The workflow outlined in the guidebook makes it possible for the survey to be carried out by trained volunteers, so it is both feasible and affordable for small jurisdictions.
This guidebook reflects the experience of those who have organized and implemented local URM building surveys. Among others, CREW would like to acknowledge the contributions of the City of Tacoma in Washington State, the Washington State Emergency Management Division, and the Building Department of Clark County, Nevada.
Funding for this project was provided by an FY2024 grant from FEMA National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.