July 12, 2006

 

Sanix Launches New Earthquake-proofing Retrofit System “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus”

The Home Sanitation Division of Sanix Incoporated (Ticker: 4651, TSE/OSE/FSE, President & CEO: Shin-ichi Munemasa) introduces a new earthquake-proofing retrofit system named “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus” on the market. This system greatly enhances the earthquake resistance of detached wooden houses.
 

1. Trade Name of the Retrofit System

“Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus”

2. Outline of Earthquake-proof Retrofitting
(1) What is earthquake-proof retrofitting?
“Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus”
“Earthquake-proof retrofitting” enhances the earthquake resistance of a wooden house to Grade 1 or higher as stipulated in the Building Standards Law of Japan. To retrofit a house, its anti-seismic test should be performed in advance. A home anti-seismic test includes measuring the ground and foundation strength; determining the number of walls and their arrangement; measuring the roof weight; checking termite depredation, deterioration, and degradation of the house; clarifying structural defects of the house; and other items. Based on the anti-seismic test results, an earthquake-proofing retrofit plan is formulated and the house is reinforced according to the plan.

(2) Sanix's original earthquake-proofing retrofit system
Sanix has developed a unique earthquake-proofing retrofit system, “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus” that enhances the earthquake resistance of detached wooden houses by reinforcing their walls. The “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus” is installed inside the wall to be reinforced. The scope of our earthquake-proof retrofitting work covers a home ant-seismic test, drawing up a retrofit plan, and installing the necessary sets of “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus.”

(3) Earthquake-proofing retrofit procedures
① On-site investigation:
Investigation of the house according to “ordinary anti-seismic test method”* (by a Sanix qualified specialist)
*Note: “The ordinary anti-seismic test method” is described in a book (in Japanese) titled “Anti-Seismic Test and Retrofit of Wooden Houses - Detailed Anti-Seismic Test and Retrofit of Wooden Houses (revised edition)” (published by the Japan Building Disaster Prevention Association under supervision of the Housing Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), the Government of Japan)
② Anti-seismic evaluation:
Evaluating the earthquake resistance of the house based on the anti-seismic test results and under a first-class architect’s supervision
③ Home anti-seismic test report:
Reporting the home anti-seismic test results to the potential customer using the test report
④ Proposal of retrofit method:
Proposing an earthquake resistance enhancement method based on the anti-seismic test results

3. Features of the “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus”
(1) Performance
① Has strength approx. 1.4 times that of structural plywood (according to test results of the Japan Testing Center for Construction Materials)
② Maintains sufficient adhesion performance even after the pillars lean
(2) Warranty
The “Home Anti-Seismic Power Plus” is warranted for 5 years after installation. Such a warranty clause is introduced for the first time in the industry.
① Amount equivalent to installation cost*1 (with 1 million yen as upper limit) will be reimbursed for complete loss*2 of house due to earthquake.
*1: Amount equivalent to installation cost: “Home Anti-Seismic Power Plus” installation cost only (interior reforming cost is not included.)
*2: Complete loss of building: Certification of complete loss by the local government is required.
② 10 million yen will be warranted for death of the contractor due to collapse of his/her building attributable to earthquake or other natural disaster.

4. Selling Prices
(1) Home anti-seismic test
40,000 yen for a new customer; 20,000 yen for an established customer (free of charge for customers who enter into earthquake-proofing retrofit contract with Sanix)
(2) Earthquake-proof retrofitting:
① Preparatory work cost: 80,000 yen
② “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus” installation cost: 180,000 yen (per one set)
③ Interior reforming cost will be additionally charged.
Note: The above costs are subject to change depending on home anti-seismic test result and preservation state of the house. Approximately 1.2 million yen is the estimated total retrofitting cost for an ordinary wooden house (1st floor area: 66 m2; Grade: 0.8 (according to the Building Standards Law); number of walls to be reinforced: 5).

5. Effect of New Product Sales on Sanix's Business Performance
The estimated sales amount of the earthquake proof retrofitting system, “Earthquake-Resistant Power Plus,” has been included in the projected earnings for the fiscal year ending in March 2007 that we announced on May 17, 2006.

 

For more information, please contact:
Kozo Inoue, Managing Director
E-mail: k-inoue@sanix.co.jp