How we can prevent devastating earthquake damage
Below is a brief table on earthquake mitigation.
Four main things that a person can to to reduce the damage of an earthquake (the mitigation of an earth quake) are secure items, build in a safe and structurally stable way, forming a well designed warning procedure and preparing themselves, family and friends.
Securing Items:
Securing items to be prepared for an earth quake is almost as important as the structural preparation. securing items such as cupboards, shelves, photo frames, clocks, fridges, cabinets and much more. This helps to prevent these items from falling during the earthquake and landing on the people or just damaging the house and all the personal belongings.
Structures:
When building a house in a zone that has and can be effected by earthquakes it is essential to build accordingly, to help make a building, structure or house suitable for the dangers that may occur a few of the following things may help. For a building to be earthquake resistant the building needs to be able to hold heavy sideways loads, have a light structure, strong connections between the walls and frames and the floor and the frames. Whilst an earthquake is occurring the house is expected to move or shake, this is why having walls that are strong enough to hold heavy sideways loads are a good idea as they minimise the rate of the walls cracking or falling down. The walls and floors need to be connected to the frames so that the movement doesn't create a slipping motion and pull the two parts away from each other, later causing issues with pipping and connections and the safety of the building.
Well Designed Warning System:
There is a warning system in place at a few locations that helps tell those there that there is an earthquake in progress and that they should stay in a safe place to prevent injuries and deaths. The warning systems consist of accerlerometers, communication, computers and alarms.
Being Prepared:
This point ties in with all of the other points, being prepared for an earthquake means securing items, building strong structures and having a warning system. But it is also about knowing where you and your family is at all times, or making sure that there is an international family member that can be contacted by everyone in cause of a devastating earthquake. Another way to prevent devastating deaths and injuries is to educate everyone possible so that most people know how to react in the event of an earthquake and how to be safe.
Securing Items:
Securing items to be prepared for an earth quake is almost as important as the structural preparation. securing items such as cupboards, shelves, photo frames, clocks, fridges, cabinets and much more. This helps to prevent these items from falling during the earthquake and landing on the people or just damaging the house and all the personal belongings.
Structures:
When building a house in a zone that has and can be effected by earthquakes it is essential to build accordingly, to help make a building, structure or house suitable for the dangers that may occur a few of the following things may help. For a building to be earthquake resistant the building needs to be able to hold heavy sideways loads, have a light structure, strong connections between the walls and frames and the floor and the frames. Whilst an earthquake is occurring the house is expected to move or shake, this is why having walls that are strong enough to hold heavy sideways loads are a good idea as they minimise the rate of the walls cracking or falling down. The walls and floors need to be connected to the frames so that the movement doesn't create a slipping motion and pull the two parts away from each other, later causing issues with pipping and connections and the safety of the building.
Well Designed Warning System:
There is a warning system in place at a few locations that helps tell those there that there is an earthquake in progress and that they should stay in a safe place to prevent injuries and deaths. The warning systems consist of accerlerometers, communication, computers and alarms.
Being Prepared:
This point ties in with all of the other points, being prepared for an earthquake means securing items, building strong structures and having a warning system. But it is also about knowing where you and your family is at all times, or making sure that there is an international family member that can be contacted by everyone in cause of a devastating earthquake. Another way to prevent devastating deaths and injuries is to educate everyone possible so that most people know how to react in the event of an earthquake and how to be safe.