Can your Home Withstand an Earthquake? 5 Questions to Ask

Being reactive and resilient when disaster strikes is in the Pinoy blood, but with these disasters getting more dangerous and devastating year after year, it’s better to be prepared before disaster strikes.
     
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) recently released “How Safe is My House?”, a 12-point checklist  that can help a homeowner determine how safe his house is against an earthquake. In it, you'll find questions such as: “Was my house built by a licensed civil engineer?”, “Is my house regularly shaped?”, “Has my house been subject to renovation?”, “Is my house free of unsupported walls?”, and “Is the soil condition under my house made of rock or stiff soil?” Each answer has corresponding points, and the higher the total score, the higher the probability that the house can withstand an earthquake.

Aside from the checklist, here are other questions you should ask to check if your house can withstand an earthquake:
 
1. How near is my home to a fault line?
According to architect Kaydee Marie O. Velasco, U.A.P, C.B.P., CEO of KMV Architechtural Design Creations who specializes in master planning, architecture, and sustainable practices, the first thing you check when buying a home or moving into one is how close you are to a fault line. “Avoid areas where fault lines are located, since this is where most of the damage will be inflicted during an earthquake. If it’s unavoidable ? due to old family properties, for example ? you should build at least 25 meters away from a fault line, even if 10 meters is the allowed buildable ground from a fault line.”

2. What intensity/magnitude of earthquake can the building withstand?
Ask the architect or structural engineer who designed your house or your condominium building. “For new buildings in Makati, for example, they are required to withstand at least a 6.5-magnitude earthquake," says Velasco. If you’re hunting for a new home or moving into a new one, look for home and buildings that are “earthquake-safe.” Buildings built before 1992 usually do not have earthquake precautions, so go for the newer ones if possible.
 
3. Are there cracks on your columns?
Cracks on your columns mean that the structure is not stable or safe against earthquakes due to the foundation of the building. If you’re living in a condo, Velasco explains, “The most structurally stable location is near the elevator or elevator shaft, since the foundation there is strongest. But the safest place for evacuation purposes is near the exterior of the building.”

4. Inside my home, which fixtures can easily shatter or break?
Cabinets, mirrors, any glass material or furniture that can easily break should be avoided. “There is a 100-pecent chance that these things can inflict damage or injure you during an earthquake,” Velasco stresses.
 
5. Where can I evacuate?
“It’s best to be in an open space rather than inside a building when an earthquake strikes,” says Velasco. Scout for open spaces near your home, such as a village park or parking lot if you’re in the city.

[previous|page|next]

Prepare your home
As soon as you've identified the unsafe areas in your home, lessen the damage an earthquake could do to your house and, most importantly, to your family by doing the following:
 
• Replace or repair broken mirrors, light bulbs, floor and wall tiles, cabinets, shelves, loose bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and ceiling boards. Avoid using furniture and fixtures that easily break or shatter.

• Rearrange your interiors. Secure tall cabinets and shelves onto the walls to keep them stationary. Store heavy objects on lower shelves. Non-slip mats for ornaments and small objects are effective in keeping them from falling off. Organize your wires, too, to avoid tripping on them.

• Reinforce roofs, walls, and windows. A glass film can be installed on glass windows and walls to hold broken glass fragments together in case there’s an earthquake. Make sure you secure your doors, but they should also be easy to open if and when you need to evacuate.

• Retrofit cracked columns and divided floorings. You will need a structural engineer to check how your house can be retrofitted to make it sturdier. Weigh your options; it might be best to just move to a new house or building if it is an available option.

Prepare your family
In the event of an earthquake, the first safety procedure should be to get out of the house or building, says Velasco, so it’s best to have a quick-exit route and an open area where you can evacuate.
    
If you cannot evacuate in time, then look for a sturdy table capable of protecting you from heavy things that can fall on you. Stay clear from furniture and things that can easily shatter or break. “Avoid the electrically-lighted part of the house when earthquake strikes during nighttime. There is a high chance that ground movement may interfere with the ground wires and the electrical components of a building,” she adds.    
    
You can also stay in spaces protected by a low but massive pieces of furniture—this is called an "object-safe zone" or the "triangle." Velasco explains: “The triangle can be easily identified by analyzing the furniture in the area. A triangle has three corners. Imagine that the first corner as a cabinet (Corner 1), the second as a mirror, (Corner 2) the third as a bed (Corner 3). You know for sure that the cabinet might fall and the mirror might break. But the chance of the bed breaking is minimal, depending on the sturdiness of the material used. The bed can possibly protect you from shattered furniture or from Corners 1 and 2. Just make sure you are lying down flat beside the edge of the bed farthest from the objects that might break.” Remember to evacuate the building as soon as the shaking has stabilized, in case there are aftershocks.

According to the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), an integrated and accredited professional organization of architects, the question is not whether a disaster will hit the country, but rather, are we prepared?

UAP Convention Exhibition (ConEx) Director Architect Topy Vasquez adds that adaptability to climate change, resiliency in construction and retrofitting should be done by homeowners as much as possible, as he sees the urgent need for disaster-resilient homes in Metro Manila.

On April 10-12, 2014, the UAP will showcase ‘resilient housing’ in its annual Convention Exhibition 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, which aims to “provide concrete programs for the government to consider as it strengthens its disaster-resiliency efforts. With a significant portion of the population living in makeshift structures, the need for disaster-resilient homes is urgent,” according to the media brief.

Planning to build your home? Get expert advice! For more information about the exhibition, visit www.uap-architects.org.

Next story: The Importance of Breastfeeding During Emergencies

Image from telegraph.co.uk