Earthquakes and Schools

The Importance of Damage Prevention and Earthquake Education in Schools

By Stephanie Perkins

Topics for Discussion

Explain the effects of a damaging earthquake on a school

Examples of major earthquakes that have had a serious impact on schools

Steps that can be taken to mitigate damage and injury

Effects of a Damaging Earthquake

Primary concern about buildings surviving an earthquake is structural integrityBuildings that are not sturdy enough to

withstand the shaking are in danger of collapse.

Effects of a Damaging Earthquake

Effects of a Damaging Earthquake

Effects of a Damaging Earthquake

Other earthquake dangersFalling Objects

Light fixtures, ceiling fansBookshelves

Broken GlassBroken gas lines, electric lines, water

mains etc.

Examples of Earthquake Damage in Schools

12 May 2008: Sichuan, China

6 April 2009: L’Aquila, Italy

Sichuan, China

12 May 2008, 2:28 pm

7.9 MW

Important Statistics:>69,000 deaths>18,000 missing>370,000 injured$20 billion in damages

Sichuan Earthquake

Major impact on schools 11,687 schools need to be rebuilt 2,000 + other schools in need of serious repair

Impact felt throughout society Chinese “one-child” law Example of Beichuan Township

Two school buildings collapsed, killing 1,300 students and 40 teachersover 40% of the town’s population

What went wrong in China

Shoddy construction Poor materials Lack of proper

reinforcement

Delay in dispatching relief efforts

Sichuan Earthquake

Propaganda Machine at work

9-year-old Lin Hao pulled two of his classmates out of the rubble Rewarded by leading the

Chinese delegation in the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Lessons from Sichuan Earthquake

Necessity of good construction materials, not just good design

Necessity of quick response

L’Aquila, Italy

6 April 2009, 3:32 am

6.3 MW

Important Statistics>260 Deaths>1000 Injured$530 million in damage

Several schools among collapsed buildings

L’Aquila Earthquake

Many schools among collapsed buildingsLater discovered that 22,000 public schools in Italy were considered unsafe based on construction regulations.Days after earthquake, schools reopened in tents

Lessons from L’Aquila Earthquake

Necessity of inspection and action

Importance of routine

Reopening schools in tents as soon as possible

Why is this Important?

Minimize loss of life and injury

Minimize psychological effects on children

Emotionally, children’s lives are especially valued

Prevention

First: Structurally sound buildings “Because schools are

funded with public money, schools house the children of the electorate, [and] legislative statutes require children to attend schools…it was believed that the legislators…would support legislation requiring public school buildings to be constructed earthquake resistive.”

Prevention

California Field Act First passed in 1933 following the Long Beach

Earthquake All schools replacing those damaged in the

earthquake must now be earthquake resistant Amended to include retrofitting existing structures

Later additions and modifications now apply to all schools, kindergarten through community college level

Prevention

Preparation is a key to preventing injury Safety Drills Discussion about

what to expect during and after an earthquake

What Have We Learned?

Earthquakes can seriously damage schools structurally and have an affect those inside the building.It is fairly simple to take steps that will have a major impact after an earthquake.Schools must be a priority in disaster planning.

Questions?