iMod Modular Classrooms

Advanced Steel-Framed Future Proof Classrooms Rated to Withstand Most Severe Earthquakes & Recover Operations Within Days

iMod Structures (IMS), makers of ‘Future Proof’ modular classrooms, announced that the company’s high performance buildings have received the US Resiliency Council’s (USRC) Platinum Earthquake Rating, making them the first educational facilities in the country to achieve USRC’s highest earthquake performance rating.

The USRC created its Earthquake Building Rating System to provide building owners and facilities managers at schools, hospitals, businesses and other organizations with a reliable, consistent, scientific-based system for gauging a building’s expected performance during an earthquake, including how soon a building will return to operations after a seismic event. This first-of-its kind performance rating is based on decades of earthquake engineering research and observations of earthquake damage by leading engineering practitioners, and seismic experts at major universities and government organizations.

Based on the USRC’s review of the structural design, iMod Structures’ single-story moment-frame buildings were given a Platinum rating across all geographic regions of California, the most seismically active state in the US. The company’s two-story classrooms received a Platinum rating in approximately 95% of the state, and a Gold Rating in the remaining 5%.

“There is no question of whether there will be another major earthquake in California,” said Craig Severance, Co-Founder of iMod Structures. “The only questions are when, where and how big! Given that inevitability, schools and universities need to ask themselves whether they have adequately factored resiliency into their facility plans. Optimally, they’ll work to ensure their buildings are USRC Platinum rated. We are thrilled that iMod Structures is leading the way in this initiative and actively advocating for safer schools for our state’s students, teachers and administrators.”

Researchers at the United States Geologic Survey predict that there is a 99% chance an earthquake of a 6.7 magnitude or higher will strike in California before 2030. Though it’s impossible to predict the exact timing or magnitude of an earthquake, researchers encourage residents and local officials throughout California to prepare now and retrofit structures to withstand seismic force before the next significant quake occurs.

“We applaud iMod Structures for joining us in highlighting the need for resilient buildings and classrooms that will withstand the most severe seismic events while keeping their occupants safe,” said Evan Reis, Executive Director and Co-Founder, USRC. “Modern building codes are designed to ensure that in a natural disaster buildings are safe and people can get out. But in typical cities around 90% of existing buildings, including many schools, were not built to modern codes. USRC is working with iMod Structures to ensure that 21st century California classrooms are not just built to code, but also are resilient!”

IMS is shifting the way the world designs, builds and delivers high performance classrooms. Flexibility to accommodate changing technologies and a transportable new moment-frame structural system are the backbone for iMod’s High Performance Buildings. iMod now builds the only Future Proof classrooms that are relocatable, reconfigurable, resilient, sustainable and long lasting. These steel-frame classrooms have been awarded Pre-Check approval by the California Division of the State Architect (DSA).

Available in single and two-story configurations, these classrooms are pre-fabricated in the iMod factory in Vallejo, CA, an hour north of San Francisco. As needed, a second-story can be added to an existing IMS building in the future, conserving open space on a campus. As student populations ebb and flow, the second story can be removed and relocated to become the first story of a new classroom. Each classroom is delivered to schools fully assembled, ready for utility hook up and occupancy within days. Standard classrooms are delivered within six months of a school entering into a contact with IMS.

About iMod Structures

iMod Structures is transforming classrooms and how they are built. IMS is designing, manufacturing and installing DSA approved pre-fabricated, Future Proof classrooms that are healthy, resilient and sustainable 21st century learning environments. Based on Mare Island in Vallejo, Calif., the company is funded by private investors and major financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs. For more information about iMod Structures please visit imodstructures.com.