In an earthquake, items such as bookcases can topple over and cause injury or damage to other items in the room.
To secure wooden bookcases to a wall:
- Choose between using L-brackets or Z-brackets to secure the bookcase.
- Make sure that the location you have chosen to attach the bracket to the bookcase is strong enough to resist the significant force.
- Bracket to bookcase
- Pre-drill holes for No. 8 or larger woodscrews.
- The screw should be long enough to secure the bracket to the shelf without punching through.
- Bracket to wall
- For wood stud walls:
- Use 3-inch No. 8 wood screws to attach each bracket to the wall.
- Locate the stud and attach the screws to ensure secure fastening.
- For stone or masonry walls:
- Place plastic anchors in the pre-drilled holes
- Screw in 3-inch No. 8 or larger screws or consider using 3/16-inch diameter or larger masonry screws.
- For wood stud walls:
- For a bookcase with a solid back:
- Pass screws directly through the back into the wall.
- Use washers to spread contact over a larger area between the screw and the bookcase.
- Make sure that the back of the bookcase is attached to the shelves securely.
To secure bookcases not against a wall:
- Place bookcases back-to-back
- Attach them with No. 8 or larger machine screws, oversize washers, and nuts
- Make sure the screws go through the frame.
- Place the screws no more than 12 inches apart.
To secure items on shelves:
- Create ledge barriers made from strips of wood, metal or plastic.
- Cut the materials to fit the shelf
- Attach with glue or mechanical fasteners.
- Finish the barriers to match the shelves.
- Affix large, heavy items and breakables directly to the shelf.
- Apply a hook and loop material (such as Velcro®) to the shelf and item or
- Use museum gel or museum wax to secure the bottom of items to the top of the shelf.
