Ryan Vytlacil, P.E., is the founder of Seattle Seismic and a licensed Professional Engineer. He started the company in 2016 to bring engineering-led seismic retrofitting to commercial property owners across Washington and Oregon. Before founding Seattle Seismic, Ryan worked as an engineer at Boeing.
Seattle Seismic is the only seismic retrofitting company in the region owned and operated by a licensed P.E., a distinction that shapes how every project is scoped, engineered, and executed. Ryan and his team are trusted by owners of warehouse and unreinforced masonry (URM) portfolios, including enterprise clients with billion-dollar holdings.
Ryan and the Seattle Seismic team hold memberships with WABO, MBAKS, ACI, BOMA, and EERI.
Seattle’s proximity to major fault lines, including the notorious Cascadia Subduction Zone, poses a significant seismic risk. As a result, commercial seismic retrofitting plays a crucial role in ensuring the...
Image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Source:www.usgs.gov If you’re in Seattle or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, this week’s cluster of earthquakes under Mount Rainier should be on...
Natural disasters have always posed significant risks to property owners, but recent years have highlighted their interconnected and unpredictable nature. While California has faced devastating wildfires for years, Washington state...
Retrofitting a building is a necessary step to enhance its safety, energy efficiency, and overall functionality. However, the process can become complex when tenants are already occupying the space. Balancing...
Unreinforced masonry (URM) refers to a construction technique that utilizes load-bearing walls made of brick, stone, or concrete blocks without any reinforcement, such as steel bars or mesh. While this...
When it comes to seismic retrofitting, hardware is a key component in ensuring a structure is strengthened and able to withstand the force of an earthquake. There are several different...
Seismic retrofitting is a complicated process that should be completed by an expert in order to help protect homes and buildings from the destruction caused by earthquakes. This process involves...
When a natural disaster strikes, the most important thing to do is to be prepared. It is essential to have an emergency earthquake kit in your building or workplace that...
Small earthquakes can be an indication of a larger one to come, but they don’t always mean that a larger earthquake is imminent. Small earthquakes, also known as foreshocks, can...
Seattle is relatively well prepared for an earthquake. The city has undertaken extensive preventive action to both protect its residents and infrastructure from the effects of an earthquake. In this...
While large earthquakes can be incredibly destructive, did you know that the aftershocks can actually end up causing more damage and destruction? Though the initial earthquake is usually more powerful...
A seismic retrofit is an important process that can help protect a home or building from the damage caused by an earthquake. Seismic retrofitting involves strengthening the structure of a...
The Pacific Northwest region of the United States is one of the most seismically active areas in the world. This region, which includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Montana...
When it comes to seismic retrofitting, one of the most important steps is to secure your building with the right type of braces. These braces are designed to help keep...
The largest earthquake ever recorded happened on May 22nd, 1960 near Valdivia, Chile. The earthquake measured an incredible 9.5 on the Richter scale, making it the largest ever recorded. It...
The Richter Scale is a measurement of the magnitude of an earthquake and is used to determine the intensity and destruction of an earthquake. Developed in the 1930s by Dr....
Earthquakes can cause significant damage to buildings, bridges, and other structures. Much of the damage is caused by ground shaking, which can cause structures to vibrate, sway, and twist, leading...
Image Source: USGS The Pacific Northwest has seen a surge in seismic activity in recent years, with Seattle at the center of it all. Since the beginning of 2020, the...
Earthquakes are natural disasters that can cause incredible destruction, and there are a variety of types that can occur. Depending on the type of earthquake, they can cause different levels...
The Pacific Northwest is no stranger to earthquakes. The region has seen some of the most powerful earthquakes in the United States, many of which have caused significant damage and...
If you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes, such as Seattle, you should consider having a seismic retrofit done. Seismic retrofitting is a process of strengthening a...
Source: Washington Emergency Management Division Earthquakes in Seattle, Washington can be a major source of concern for residents in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, like many major cities in this region,...
When it comes to preparing for a major earthquake, seismic retrofitting is an important part of the equation. Commercial seismic retrofitting is the process of strengthening existing structures to make...
It’s disheartening to find major problems during an inspection. We never want to be the bearer of bad news but we often find things the homeowner had no idea about....
Image Source: USGS The Seattle area is located on top of several fault lines, making it a geologically active region. The most significant of these fault lines is the Seattle...
A seismic retrofit is the process where a building is upgraded structurally to better withstand the seismic forces it might experience from an earthquake. Reinforcement and additional connections are made...
It is essential to know whether or not your building’s foundation is at risk. A damaged foundation can cause serious, costly damage to your building. It is important to be...
If you’re planning a commercial project and need to hire a contractor, it’s important to make sure you’re hiring the right one. Here are five things to consider when researching...
