7. July 2014
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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 />
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