by Brianna Crandall — August 26, 2011—The earthquake felt all along the East Coast on August 23 has many people who never before experienced an earthquake wondering what to do when an earthquake occurs and how to prepare for the next one. Facilities managers need to be prepared with the knowledge of how to direct employees during and after an earthquake, what type of damage to keep a look out for in their buildings after an earthquake, and how to protect their own homes and families.
The National Institute of Building Sciences, whose Building Seismic Safety Council develops the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), offers the following suggestions.
During an earthquake, evacuating the building is not necessarily the best option. Falling debris outside is more likely to cause injury. Instead, “Stop, Drop and Hold.” Stay inside. Move away from windows that could shatter and heavy furniture, such as bookcases, that could fall over. Get under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a desk or table, that will protect against falling debris, and hold on until the trembling ceases. If already outside, stay clear of buildings, trees, telephone poles or overhead structures, such as overpasses, that could potentially collapse. Instead stand in an open area.
“Many people thought first about a terrorist event during the first few seconds of [the August 23] earthquake and instinctively evacuated their buildings,” said Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA, President of the National Institute of Building Sciences. “This put them at risk from falling hazards, especially since many stood on the sidewalks just outside. When evacuating, people need to stand clear of buildings and other potential falling objects.”
Once the earthquake is over and employees are either reentering the building or returning home, facilities managers can encourage them to act upon the following advice from NIBS:
- Take a look at the building, house or apartment building. Look for cracks in the foundation, walls, chimneys and fireplaces. Look at porches and balconies to see if they have become detached from the main structure. If problems exist, contact a licensed professional.
- Smell for potential gas leaks. If detected, leave the premises immediately and call the gas company.
- Look for any signs of water leaks near pipes and plumbing fixtures. If found, turn off the water until the problem is corrected.
- Photograph any damage and contact your insurance company before cleaning up, but be aware that homeowners’ insurance may not cover earthquake-caused damage.
- Be sure to address any damage before using fireplaces, gas appliances and plumbing.
- Smell for potential gas leaks. If detected, leave the premises immediately and call the gas company.
NIBS notes that unresolved structural damage can cause serious problems later if not repaired properly, such as carbon dioxide poisoning from cracked chimneys, explosions from gas leaks, or mold from water infiltration. NIBS also says to keep in mind that outdoor propane tanks can topple over and rupture.
NIBS says to check for damage that could breach the building at corners or intersections of a wall and roof area. It may not be an imminent structural threat, but people should be looking at their buildings to assess if movements may have damaged these areas to allow leaks and long-term moisture-related damage to occur. Brick veneers may not have peeled off, but moved enough to allow water leaks around windows or doors.
Once immediate risks have been addressed, and especially with the threat of Hurricane Irene on the way, it is important to prepare for a future event:
- Establish a family emergency plan so people know where to go and who to contact in case of an event.
- Prepare a disaster kit with necessary supplies.
- For older homes, consider retrofitting unreinforced brick walls and chimneys. Hurricane winds can cause damage similar to that of an earthquake.
- Fix any cracks in foundations and walls where hurricane winds can cause water to seep in.
- Prepare a disaster kit with necessary supplies.
Facilities managers could post this notice from NIBS along with the URLs for additional literature found below.
NIBS and FEMA has a number of resources to help prepare for earthquakes:
NIBS’s “Building Resilience” Web page offers the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures (FEMA P-750) mentioned above; Earthquake-Resistant Design Concepts: An Introduction to the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions (FEMA P-749); the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities’ Earthquakes and Schools publication; and NIBS’s Whole Building Design Guide page “Resist Natural Hazards” as well as the continuing education course WBDG 10: Seismic Design Basics.
The Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners (FEMA Report 530) briefly describes the most common weaknesses in houses exploited by earthquake ground shaking, and what a homeowner can do about them.
The Homebuilders’ Guide to Earthquake-Resistant Design and Construction (FEMA Report 232) explains earthquake-resistant building code requirements designed to protect life by preventing collapse. It also includes a series of “above-code recommendations” and low-cost measures that can improve the performance of a house and help keep it functional after an earthquake.
The “What to Do During an Earthquake” page on the FEMA Web site is an easy primer for what to do when the earth starts to tremble.
The “What to Do Before an Earthquake” FEMA Web page addresses emergency communication plans, disaster supply kits, and steps to take to prepare for an earthquake.
