by Brianna Crandall — November 13, 2013—In support of the Great ShakeOut, called “the world’s largest annual earthquake drill,” the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has issued a list of essential tips for earthquake preparedness that commercial real estate property professionals can share with tenants and personnel along with conducting an earthquake drill:
- If indoors in the event of an earthquake, stay there. Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture or counter, or brace yourself against an inside corner. Protect your head, face and neck.
- If outdoors, move into the open, away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.
- After an earthquake, stay away from windows, skylights and items that could fall. Do not use the elevators.
- Designate an area in your office space away from exterior walls and windows where occupants should gather after an earthquake if an evacuation is not necessary.
- Use stairways to leave the building if it is determined that a building evacuation is necessary.
- If damage or injury has occurred, the proper authorities should be notified.
Property professionals can find more in-depth information about what to do before, during and after an earthquake and other disasters in BOMA International’s Emergency Preparedness Guidebook, available via BOMA’s Online Bookstore.
The goal of the annual Great ShakeOut event in October is to provide businesses, organizations, communities and families the opportunity to review their earthquake preparedness and response plans to prevent an earthquake from becoming a catastrophe. Millions of people around the globe participated in the event this year.
BOMA International is a federation of 93 BOMA U.S. associations, BOMA Canada and its 11 regional associations, and 13 BOMA international affiliates. Founded in 1907, BOMA represents the owners and managers of all commercial property types, including nearly 10 billion square feet of U.S. office space. Its mission is to advance the interests of the entire commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information.
