Data processing facilities are highly vulnerable to earthquake damage. Effective steps can be taken to mitigate earthquake damage, but no guidelines, standards, or recommended procedures exist which can be used by those who operate or procure computer services. The absence of such information limits assurance that such facilities can and will remain functional during and after an earthquake. This project will develop seismic design guidelines for data processing facilities. The guidelines will be suitable for use in several circumstances: to assist the owner and designer in selecting the level of performance that is required; to provide criteria and specifications to govern the design and procurement of new or strengthened facilities; to provide guidance to the engineers or systems analysts in selecting approaches to meet performance requirements; to provide minimum evaluation standards; and to guide computer industry manufacturers in the design of their equipment. Other equipment and processes of the banking and insurance industries will also be considered in this research project.
