Safety Assessment Program Evaluator Student Manual

CA Emergency Mgmt. Agency Safety Assessment Program Evaluator Manual April 2011Photo courtesy Cal EMAFigure 5-12 – Freeway overpass column collapse, 1994 Northridge Earthquakeconditions that need to be monitored and the criteria. Also, if another action must be taken whena threshold is reached during the monitoring, that must be noted as well. For the otherrecommendations, add information in the Comments section when appropriate. If the “shore andbrace” circle is checked, add the location for this action in the Comments section.Comments – This section is used to provide explanations regarding any part of the evaluationthat the SAP team believes requires an explanation. When a bridge will be identified forRESTRICTED USE, the evaluator would note the restrictions if they are not checked off in theRecommendations section. If the bridge is to be posted UNSAFE, the reasons for that postingare provided here. If there is not enough room for all the comments, simply note “Over” at thebottom of the form and continue on the back side.Bridge Description – In this section of the form, the evaluator will describe the structural systemof the bridge, its configuration, and the description of the foundation system. Dimensions askedfor on the form should be either estimated or paced off; the evaluator should not take the time totape measure or chain all the dimensions requested on the form.Damage Observed - The damage observed scale runs from 0 to 6, and is used to rate the damagesthat are found. Damage rates run from 0=None, to 3=Moderate, to 6=Total. This scale gives theevaluator and the jurisdiction a toll to indicate the level of damage. However, the evaluator‟s useof the scales is based strictly on their professional judgment.Sections E through L – These sections are for the individual components of the bridge structure.For each component, the evaluator must estimate the level of damage using the damage scale.For areas not seen, write in NO (Not Observed). Remember, as with buildings, do not performdestructive investigation. The SAP team must evaluate based on what they see by walking149