Location connection detail fields
Touchstone validation rules for fields related to connection details for a location.
Our individual risk methodology follows a structured, logical approach that groups building characteristics according to their function to reflect the contribution of each characteristic to overall building performance. For information about the secondary risk characteristics (SRCs) that are supported in a specific model, refer to the "Model in Touchstone” chapter in the model description, which is available on the Client Portal. Documentation for some Verisk models includes a separate document that serves as a guide to the SRCs used in the model.
Click the following links for information about Location Building Detail fields, such as floor of interest and floor area, and about Location Surrounding Detail fields, such as pounding and tree exposure.
| Field | Perils | Description | Validation rules | Default value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Attached Structure |
|
One of the following values to describe mechanical and other equipment on the roof of the building at this location:
Attached structures are often more vulnerable than the main building, especially if there is inadequate anchorage. |
|
Unknown/default (0) |
| Transition in SRC Type | JP EQ |
One of the following values to indicate whether the transition from SRC to RC in columns of SRC construction is a smooth one for the building at this location:
|
Optional | |
| Cold Formed Tube | JP EQ |
One of the following values to indicate whether cold-formed tubes are present in steel structures in the building at this location:
Cold-formed tubes, which are formed via cold processing, can lower building ductility. |
Optional | |
| Column Basement Type | JP EQ |
One of the following values to describe the type of connection between columns and basement for SRC and steel construction for the building at this location:
This field indicates whether basement support columns are embedded. |
Optional | |
| Welding Detail | JP EQ |
One of the following values to describe the quality of the welding in the building at this location:
|
Optional | |
| Foundation Connection |
|
One of the following values to describe the type of connection between the structure and its foundation in the building at this location:
For industrial facilities: One of the following values to describe the anchorage of equipment at the facility:
The building-foundation connection transfers the vertical and lateral loads on the building to the foundation during wind events and is critical in single-family dwellings made of wood-frame and tilt-up construction. Loss of anchorage between building and foundation has been a common type of failure in California earthquakes. |
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| Foundation Type |
|
One of the following values to describe the type of construction used for the foundation of the building at this location:
Special cases:
Single-family dwellings are often built on basements or on shallow foundations. Most mid-rise buildings are built on mat foundations. High-rise buildings tend to be supported on pile foundations. Piles are generally better performers in earthquakes. |
|
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| Internal Partition |
|
One of the following values to describe the materials used for interior partition walls in the building at this location:
Internal partitions, when effective, can protect the interior of the building when the building envelope is breached. The amount of loss caused by damage to internal partition walls depends on the type of materials used to construct them, such as masonry or gypsum board. Heavy, brittle materials, such as unreinforced brick masonry, have been known to experience great damage during an earthquake. |
Optional | |
| Wall Attached Structure |
|
One of the following values to describe structures that are not an integral part of the main building at this location but that are physically attached to it:
Attached structures are often more vulnerable than the main building, especially if there is inadequate anchorage. With respect to seismic performance, unreinforced masonry chimneys, as an example, generally collapse even under moderate levels of shaking. Under significant wind loads, wall attached structures may experience heavier damage than the main structure. They may also become dislodged and create a breach for wind or floodwaters or become flying debris themselves. |
Optional | |
| Appurtenant Structure |
|
One of the following values to describe structures that are not an integral part of the main building at this location and are not physically attached to it:
Appurtenant structures may require a different treatment in analysis from the main building. For example, a masonry boundary wall can collapse under moderate shaking, whereas the wood-frame house it surrounds may remain undamaged. A pool enclosure may provide protection of a recreational pool from everyday wind and sun exposure. However, if winds are high enough to damage the main building, a pool enclosure may become flying debris and increase the amount of damage. |
Optional | |
| Basement Level Count |
|
Number of basement levels in the building at this location A value of 0 represents Unknown/default. If you have specified an occupancy code of 301 - General Residential, 302 - Permanent dwelling: single family, or 303 - Permanent dwelling: multi family, Touchstone supports only one level of basement. In these cases, if you input a larger value, Touchstone overrides this value with 1. If the number of basement levels is greater than one, and if the foundation type is Masonry basement (1), then Touchstone assumes that it is a concrete basement for all further purposes (since a masonry basement is assumed not to have more than one level of basement). |
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| Basement Finish Type |
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One of the following values to indicate whether the basement is unfinished or finished in the building at this location:
Finished basements have interior features, like drywall, plaster, insulation, and flooring. In addition, finished basements are usually equipped with better flood protection systems. However, they also contain more valuable contents than unfinished basements. |
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| Deck (added in June 2024) |
|
Options include:
|
Unknown/Default (0) | |
| Gutter (added in June 2024) |
|
Options include:
|
Gutter - material/cover unkn (0) | |
| Fences Within 5 ft (added in June 2024) |
|
Options include:
|
Unknown (0) |