ATC-20 Placard System

The ATC-20 procedures formalized a three-placard system based on the original placards developed by SEAOC and OES in the late 1980’s. Colored placards posted on the building inform the owner and tenants about the condition of the building for continued occupancy. Evaluators identify an appropriate placard during a rapid or detailed evaluation.

Evaluations are not sufficient to recommend repair strategies.

Evaluations are sufficient to assess the feasibility of continued occupancy.

Recognizable colors help the public easily identify the general meaning of each placard: INSPECTED is green, RESTRICTED USE is yellow, and UNSAFE is red.

Downloadable Placards and Forms*

After the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, federal funding made it possible for the ATC to revise original procedures and placards based on lessons learned. Results of the revision are documented in:

ATC-20-2 Addendum to the ATC-20 Postearthquake Building Safety Evaluation Procedures was published in 1995

New placards provide a clearer explanation of the condition of a building for continued occupancy

New evaluation forms provide better information to justify which placard is appropriate for posting.

Because very few if any jurisdictions use the older placards and forms, this course will focus only on the use of the new placards and forms.

Click the images below to take a closer look at each placard and its use:

*The placards and forms are available in the English and Turkish languages. The files were made avaliable in Turkish due to a request from the Turkish Government.