Life-Safety Risks to Schools from Nonstructural Earthquake & Tornado Damage AMERICAN RED CROSS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACADEMY 2013 Presented by Michael J. Griffin, P.E. Principal CCS Group, Inc.
Presentation Outline Natural hazards affecting the Central US tornados and earthquakes Life-safety risks Building structure Nonstructural components? Historical performance Benefits of mitigation Questions and answers
Natural Hazards Affecting Central US
Tornado Hazard
Tuscaloosa, Alabama April 27, 2011 243 Fatalities University Place Elementary School School canceled for the day 1997 Vintage 2-story wings - roof damaged & interior walls collapsed Gymnasium - roof and exterior walls completely removed. Ref. Prevatt, et. al. Damage Study and Future Direction for Structural Design Following the Tuscaloosa Tornado of 2011 Tornado Damage
Tornado Damage Joplin, MO May 25, 2011 - EF-5-200+ mph winds 161 fatalities, 1,150 injured Joplin Hope High School 7 Students & 1 Educator 10 Bldgs. damaged $150 Million in damage Photos courtesy of Ted Preuss
Tornado Risk Excellent meteorological prediction and tracking tools available Dissemination of risk and warning information through media outlets mature Ample warning through tornado warning siren system Greatest challenge for schools where is a safe place for students, teachers and staff?
Tornado Safety - School Safe Room
Earthquake Hazard Shaking Intensity Minimal Low Moderate High
Central US Earthquake History 1811-1812: M7.7+, New Madrid, MO 1843: M6.0, Marked Tree, AR 1865: M5.0, Memphis, TN 1895: M6.6, Charleston, MO 1941: <M5.0, Covington, TN 1952: <M5.0, Dyersburg, TN 1956: <M5.0, Covington, TN 2008: M5.4, Mt Carmel, IN Little bldg damage has occurred Sparsely populated (early 1800s) Chimneys, windows, contents
Earthquake Damage Mineral, VA: M5.8 (2011) Even small EQs can be damaging
Tornado / Earthquake Comparison Awareness High Region Affected Local Resources Available locally & regionally Warning 10 s mins to hrs Awareness Low Region Affected Large geographic areas impacted Resources Limited due to large geographic impact Warning ESSENTIALLY NONE
Life-Safety Risks
Structural Components Structural components resist gravity loads, lateral loads (wind & earthquake), and other types of loads Structural components include: Roof Floors Beams Columns Braces Concrete / masonry walls (Load bearing only) Foundation
Nonstructural Components Nonstructural components include all portions of the facility that are not load-carrying / structural components Roof Beam Floor Slab-on-grade Column Footing Ref. FEMA E-74
Categories of Nonstructural Components Architectural Components Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Components & Process Equipment Furniture, Fixtures, and Contents
Architectural Components Parapets Partition walls Screen walls Ceilings Glazing Cladding Veneers Chimneys Stairs Interior contents and ceiling damage
Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Fire Protection Equipment Generators Chillers & boilers Distribution panels Transformers Fans & heaters Air handling units Ductwork & conduit Piping & plumbing Diesel emergency generator (unanchored)
Furniture, Fixtures, & Contents Desks & chairs Bookcases & file cabinets Storage cabinets & racks Furniture Computers Smart boards Projection equipment Lakeside School Library Kern County Earthquake - 1952 Photo Credit M. Knox
Structural & Nonstructural Components Structural building systems Designed by civil or structural engineer Structural elements are shown on the construction drawings including the seismic lateral force resisting systems Construction oversight to ensure bldg conforms to design drawings Nonstructural components & systems Specified by design team (architect, mechanical / electrical engineer, interior designer, IT engineer, fire protection engineer, etc.) Seismic design is via performance specifications TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE RESPECTIVE CONSTRUCTION TRADES Performance specifications provide limited guidance on seismic design for contractor implementation Little inspection or oversight to ensure proper installation
Nonstructural Component EQ Performance
Historic Performance
Earthquake Damage Concerns Life Safety Paramount: Children & Staff Could anyone be hurt by this building or component in an earthquake? Property Loss Could a large property loss result? Functional Loss Community Shelter Could the loss of this building or component result in an outage, interruption or loss of use?
1933 Long Beach, CA Earthquake Moderate Magnitude 6.3M URM buildings heavily damaged Property damage estimated at $40 million 115 fatalities Jefferson Junior H.S. Photo Credit EERC 120 schools damaged 70 schools destroyed John Muir School Photo Credit Unknown
California s Response 1933 Long Beach Earthquake 1 month later California adopted the Field Act All school design, plans and construction authorized and supervised by the California State Department of Works Division of Architecture 6 years later Garrison Act enacted to regulate all school construction in the state Jefferson Junior H.S. Photo Credit TJ Maher
Sichuan, China Earthquake 2008 Magnitude Mw 7.9 6,900 school rooms collapsed 9,000 students & teachers perished More than 1,000 students along perished at the Beichuan Middle School in Mianyang
Mineral, VA Earthquake M5.8 Small magnitude event Region of infrequent activity for moderate and large events No fatalities 6 schools 2 lost (EL & HS) 40% of classroom space lost Estimated losses $200-$300 million Nonstructural damage to Louisa County High School
Louisa County High School
Primary Contributors to Nonstructural Damage 1. Code Design Philosophy Life safety performance Nonstructural Design Importance Factor: - Life safety system - Contains or transports hazardous materials - Required to operate/function following an earthquake event
Primary Contributors to Nonstructural Damage 1. Code Design Philosophy 2. Not all components governed by code - Bookcases - Screen - Projector - Desks
Primary Contributors to Nonstructural Damage 1. Code Design Philosophy 2. Not all components governed by code 3. Design Professional Knowledge of seismic design & responsibility
Knowledge & Responsibility? Engineers Structural Mechanical Plumbing Fire protection Electrical Telecom Architects Building Officials Owners General Contractor Subcontractors Fire Protection Cladding Mechanical Plumbing Electrical Drywall Ceiling Telecom Installers Equipment vendors Inspectors Tenants Facility Managers Office Manager
Responsibility?
Primary Contributors to Nonstructural Damage 1. Code Design Philosophy 2. Not all components governed by code 3. Design Professional Knowledge of seismic design & responsibility 4. Construction quality & enforcement
Benefits of Mitigation
Benefits of Mitigation - Nonstructural Costs Majority of facility cost
Benefits of Nonstructural Mitigation 1. Life-safety risks significantly reduced and controlled - Students - Staff - Visitors
Benefits of Nonstructural Mitigation 1. Life-safety risks significantly reduced and controlled 2. Repair & recovery costs significantly reduced - Average: $1 mitigation cost saves $9 repair & recovery costs 3. Availability as a community shelter in time of need 4. Greatest cost-benefits achieved - FEMA National Average: $1 cost achieves $4 benefit 5. Many mitigation measures are easily implemented by staff 6. Largest financial investment in your school
Mitigation Measures Implement good housekeeping policies and implementation measures Relocate contents to lower risk Egress routes Restrain contents Cabinets Library shelving TV s / Smart Boards Install equipment anchorage properly
Summary Benefits of Nonstructural Mitigation 1. Life-safety risks significantly reduced and controlled 2. Repair & recovery costs significantly reduced - Average: $1 mitigation cost saves $9 in repair & recovery costs 3. Availability as a community shelter in time of need 4. Greatest cost-benefits achieved - FEMA National Average: $1 mitigation cost achieves $4 in benefit 5. Many mitigation measures are easily implemented by staff 6. Largest financial investment in your school AND 7. Life-safety risks are significantly reduced and controlled
Nonstructural Mitigation Resources FEMA E-74 http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/earthquake/fema74/ FEMA 412 Installing Seismic Restraints for Mechanical Equipment FEMA 413 Installing Seismic Restraints for Electrical Equipment FEMA 414 Installing Seismic Restraints for Duct & Pipe FEMA 395: Incremental Seismic Rehabilitation of School Buildings (K-12) ASCE Earthquake Protection of Building Equipment and Systems, by Gatscher, McGavin & Caldwell
Tornado Resources Prepare, Plan & Stay Informed: http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes FEMA 361 Design and Construction Guidance for Community Shelters FEMA 320 Taking Shelter from the Storm
Conclusions Tornado: Monitor weather Practice drills Respond to tornado sirens Consider having a risk assessment performed to determine: - Vulnerability of your existing building stock, and - Identify the safest locations in your existing buildings as safe areas Consider the design & construction of interior safe rooms within your schools (FEMA grant money potentially available)
Conclusions Earthquakes: NO WARNING! Practice, practice & practice Drop, Cover & Hold-on Consider performing a risk assessment to identify vulnerable building stock and interior nonstructural component life-safety risks Consider implementing a nonstructural component life-safety risk reduction program State and Federal grants potentially available for mitigation projects
Final Thoughts Ensure Design Professionals incorporate seismic design provisions for ANYTHING NEW going forward. Perform construction inspection to verify seismic provisions have been installed correctly anchorage, bracing, etc. Incorporate and implement a housekeeping policy to reduce the life-safety risks reduce clutter. Review and properly anchor existing equipment when the opportunity is available maintenance activities, equipment replacements, relocated equipment and furnishings, etc.
Questions? IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ME AT: MIKE GRIFFIN, P.E. (636) 532-2100 EXT. 105 MIKE.GRIFFIN@CCSGROUPSTL.COM