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Mitigation
Information for Businesses
What
are earthquakes and what causes them?
Regional
information about earthquakes for the Cascadia Region
Business
mitigation information
Information about ash fallout from volcanic eruptions
Business
mitigation information
The internet
provides many resources for business owners who want to minimize
the effect of an earthquake on their business operation. The links
below are a compilation of some of the most pertinent information.
Siting
your Business
Mitigation Measures for Existing Buildings
Mitigation Publications
Business Mitigation Slide Presentations
Building Occupancy Resumption Program (BORP)
Steps
to Make Your Business Earthquake Resistant
Siting
Your Business
1.
Evaluate potential site for hazards, such as risk of liquefaction
and proximity to faults
Free
FEMA publications about seismic safety of new and existing buildings
Liquefaction
hazards
The
Soil Liquefaction Web Site from the University of Washington
2.
Locate near lifelines (such as transportation, power, and water)
3.
Build to earthquake codes
Information
on seismic building codes
A
map of seismic zones in the US
Publications
about seismic safety, design and costs from FEMA
Mitigation
Measures For Existing Buildings
Comprehensive
overview information about mitigation:
Reducing
the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide.
Third Edition from FEMA
Emergency
Management Guide For Business & Industry
A
useful guide to actions businesses can take to mitigate damage,
from the Association of Bay Area Governments
A Disaster Planning Toolkit for the Small Business Owner
Information
about typical costs for seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings
Specific
steps you can take:
1.
Conduct an audit of general earthquake vulnerability, as well as
a natural hazards risk assessment
FEMA's
Emergency Management Guide For Business & Industry
2.
Seismically retrofit buildings
Retrofitting
of buildings
Response
of buried pipelines subject to earthquake effects
3.
Reduce the risks of nonstructural damage by fastening down fixtures
and furniture
Protecting
your property from earthquakes
Steps
you can take to reduce the risks of nonstructural damage
4.
Purchase earthquake insurance
5.
Create a business continuity plan
This
document from the University of Michigan explains the steps necessary
to make a business plan
Most companies elect to hire their own business contingency
planner or hire a consulting firm to help with this part of the
process.
6.
Train employees to be ready for an earthquake. This should include
making sure employees are certified in first aid, CPR, and fire
safety
Red
Cross workplace training programs in CPR and First Aid (available
from local chapters)
Information
can also be found in the following publication:
Employee Earthquake
Preparedness for the Workplace and Home. American Red Cross,
1988. 12 pp. ($1.00 from you local Red Cross Office or by mail
from Red Cross Disaster Services, 1550 Sutter Street, San Francisco,
CA 94109)
7.
Hold regular drills to make sure employees know what to do in case
of an earthquake
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A
bibliography prepared by Marsha Flett for the MCEER Information
Service news
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Information about the Commercial
Property Owner's Guide to Earthquake Safety from the California
Seismic Safety Commission
- is available on-line.
This publication costs $5.00.
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