The Dangerous Misconceptions About Earthquake Preparedness

Many people hold onto one of two significant misconceptions when it comes to earthquake experience and building code.

First: “I have been through a large earthquake (Insert Loma Prieta, Sylmar or Northridge) and came through it just fine. I really don’t need to do anything to prepare for an earthquake. It may be bad but in the end we will be okay.”

Why This Is a Misconception:

Earthquake experience, and the damage resulting from shaking and other factors, changes not only from earthquake to earthquake, but from foot to foot inside a room. Not only are there variations based on location from any specific earthquake, but there are also variations based on latitude and longitude, what type of building you are in, and other factors such as soil conditions. And, if you are in California and were around during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, you probably have not experienced a truly horrendous earthquake. But it really doesn’t matter.

Consider this: a 5.5 magnitude does not sound too bad, but if it shuts down your business it is bad to you!

Statistics show that if any business closes its doors following any type of disaster, its chances of reopening are about 50–50. Do you want to take that chance?

Second:

“The building code will protect me. Everything will be just fine.”

Why this is a misconception: The fact is that building codes change following a disaster, not before. The stated, published intent of the California Building Code (and all others for that matter) is to preserve life safety, NOT business continuity. Read that sentence again.

Welding was going on at the construction of the Getty Center when the 1994 Northridge earthquake struck. Many welds failed. The code had to be changed.

A water line connected broke, twice, at a new hospital tower in the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake. After that, the code changed.

Additionally, fire safety codes are not designed to keep you open. Consider the picture below, it is a small file cabinet next to a doorway.

Most companies have something similar to this in one or more locations, and most companies wouldn’t think twice about its relevance to earthquake safety. But the fire code would have you either fasten the unit to the wall or move it to another location. Why? To keep you open? To protect your people? No, it is an item that could block egress if it fell or moved in an earthquake.

Think nighttime and no power and the place is on fire. The fallen object could potentially delay a first responder from coming or going. Hence it must be secured or moved.

Disregard your previous experience. Think outside the building code relevant to your area. There are no building code police anyway, and unless you are conducting new construction nobody is going to tell you to act. But if you want to stay open following an earthquake, start acting today.

Want more information?

Check out earthquakeconsulting.com