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Architecture<br />

- Building should not be situated on<br />

liquefaction susceptible soil, steep<br />

and rock fall areas, fault rupture<br />

surfaces and soil filled areas<br />

- Non-structural elements should be<br />

restraint properly<br />

The key factor to survive the building is<br />

symmetry, ductility and redundancy.<br />

Decrease Existing Risk<br />

The main seismic vulnerability is due<br />

to the present building stock. Hence<br />

reducing the heightened risk is a main<br />

challenging task and is utmost important<br />

at the present context of Nepal.<br />

Various alternatives have been developed<br />

for retrofitting of the buildings.<br />

Retrofit strategy refers to any option<br />

of increasing the strength, stiffness<br />

and ductility of the members or of the<br />

whole building. The possible intervention<br />

options need to be selected based on<br />

the building typology and the expected<br />

performance of the building after retrofitting.<br />

Following considerations ought to<br />

be additionally made while selecting<br />

probable intervention options:<br />

(i). Requirements to complies to the<br />

Building Code for design, materials<br />

and construction<br />

(ii). Compatibility of the solution with<br />

the functional requirements of the<br />

structure<br />

(iii). Possible cost implication<br />

(iv). Indirect cost of retrofitting such as<br />

relocation cost<br />

(v). Availability of construction technique<br />

(materials, equipments and workmanship)<br />

in construction industry<br />

(vi). Enhancement of the safety of the<br />

building after intervention of the<br />

selected option<br />

(vii). Aesthetic view of the building<br />

Once these considerations are made,<br />

different options of modifying the building<br />

to reduce the risk of damage should be<br />

studied. The corrective measures include<br />

stiffening or strengthening the structure,<br />

adding local elements to eliminate irregularities<br />

or tie the structure together,<br />

reducing the demand on the structure<br />

through the use of seismic isolation or<br />

energy dissipation devices, and reducing<br />

the height or mass of the structure.<br />

Prepare for Possible<br />

consequences<br />

Preparedness can reduce the impact<br />

of disaster and sometimes avoid the<br />

danger completely. The citizens should<br />

learn how to protect themselves<br />

and their families against all types of<br />

hazards. Various manuals are available<br />

on this issue. The focus is on how to<br />

develop, practice, and maintain emergency<br />

plans that reflect what must be<br />

done before, during, and after a disaster<br />

to protect people and their property.<br />

Also included is information on how to<br />

assemble a disaster supplies kit that<br />

contains the food, water, and other supplies<br />

in sufficient quantity for individuals<br />

and their families to survive following a<br />

disaster in the event they must rely on<br />

their own resources.<br />

Preparation before an<br />

Earthquake Strikes<br />

Prepare your family by creating a family<br />

disaster plan. You can begin this process<br />

by gathering family members and<br />

reviewing the information such as hazards,<br />

evacuation routes and community<br />

and other plans) and discussing with<br />

them what you would do. Additionally,<br />

your family plan should address the<br />

following:<br />

• Escape routes.<br />

• Family communications.<br />

• Utility shut-off and safety.<br />

• Vital records.<br />

• Special needs.<br />

• Caring for animals.<br />

Safety skills<br />

It is important that family members<br />

know how to administer first aid and<br />

CPR and how to use a fire extinguisher.<br />

Prepare Emergency Kit - go<br />

bag<br />

You may need to survive on your own<br />

after a disaster. This means having your<br />

own food, water, and other supplies<br />

in sufficient quantity to last for at least<br />

three days. Local officials and relief<br />

workers will be on the scene after a<br />

disaster, but they cannot reach everyone<br />

immediately. You could get help<br />

in hours, or it might take days. Basic<br />

services such as electricity, gas, water,<br />

sewage treatment, and telephones may<br />

be cut off for days, or even a week or<br />

longer. Or, you may have to evacuate at<br />

a moment’s notice and take essentials<br />

with you. You probably will not have the<br />

opportunity to search for the supplies<br />

you need.<br />

A disaster supplies kit is a collection of<br />

basic items that members of a household<br />

may need in the event of a disaster.<br />

Coping with an earthquake<br />

An earthquake does not cause death or<br />

injury by itself. People are hurt by falling<br />

objects and collapsing walls. Collapsing<br />

buildings and vibrations can cause short<br />

circuits and electric fires. Lighted gas<br />

or stoves may also cause fires. All this<br />

leads to panic and confusion. With some<br />

precautions it is possible to avoid such<br />

confusion.<br />

If you are caught indoors at the time of<br />

an earthquake,<br />

• Keep calm.<br />

• Move to pre-identified safe areas<br />

inside the building.<br />

• Stay away from glass windows,<br />

june <strong>2014</strong> / 41

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