Protect Your Property: Restrain Desktop Computers and Appliances
What You Can Do
Earthquake protection can involve a variety of changes to your house and
property -- changes that can vary in complexity and cost. You may be able to
make some types of changes yourself. But compli-cated or large-scale changes
and those that affect the structure of your house or its electrical wiring and
plumbing should be carried out only by a professional contractor licensed to
work in your state, county, or city. One example of earthquake protection is
restraining personal computers and other small desktop appliances. This is
something that many homeowners can probably do on their own.
Restrain Desktop Computers and Appliances
The tremors caused by even minor earthquakes can easily move personal computer
systems, stereo systems, television sets, and other small appliances that
typically sit on desks, tables, and countertops. If they fall, they can be
damaged beyond repair.
As shown in the figure, you can protect desktop computers and other small
appliances by restraining them in a variety of ways. Some methods, such as
using hook-and-loop material (Velcro for example), require no tools. Others,
which include using chain, cables, or elastic cord ("bungee" cords for
example), will usually require simple hand tools.
Tips
Keep these points in mind when you restrain desktop computers and appliances:
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Make sure that the desk or table the appliance sits on is not so light that it
can be easily over-turned. If it is, and you can't move the appliance to
another location, consider anchoring the desk or table to the floor or wall.
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You can anchor the ends of chains, cables, or elastic cords to either the wall
or the surface of the desk, table, or counter using eye-hooks, rings, screws
and washers, or other types of mounts.
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If you want to use a wall-anchored chain, cable, or cord, attach it to a closed
eye-hook screwed into the wall or to a wall mount (such as a ring or plate)
attached with screws. Make sure the eye-hook or screws are long enough to
penetrate not just the wall but the studs behind it as well.
Estimated Cost
Restraining a single desktop computer or appliance with one of the methods
described will cost you about $2 to $10, depending on the amount of hardware
required. Using hook-and-loop material will be the cheapest method. Using chain
or cable will be the most expensive method but may be necessary for heavy
items.
Other Sources of Information
Seismic Retrofit Training for Building Contractors and Building Inspectors:
Participant Handbook, FEMA, 1995
Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide,
FEMA-74, 1994
Protecting Your Home and Business from Nonstructural Earthquake Damage, FEMA,
1994