The potential for a mega-earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone is high, according to scientists, and that has provoked debate over the seismic resilience of Oregon schools.
Parents have concerns about the safety of the buildings in a major earthquake, and advocates for more resilient buildings also point out that schools are well suited for the role of disaster shelters if they are strong enough to withstand temblors. Schools tend to be evenly distributed throughout neighborhoods, and they often have large, open spaces like cafeterias and gymnasiums that easily can be converted to sleeping areas.
The school district in Beaverton, Ore., is using a $680 million bond to design its new schools to double as emergency shelters and be functional shortly after an earthquake. Its new $98 million high school is designed with an emergency generator, and plumbing and electric wiring constructed with emergency services in mind. These features cost the district $900,000.
A structural engineer that wrote a paper on Beaverton’s resilient school designs says that communities should have conversations about school resilience before putting bond measures to vote.
Related Stories
| May 3, 2012
OSHA reduces fines in Cincinnati casino collapse
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has reduced the number of violations from four to two against four firms it cited earlier this month in the collapse of a casino under construction in Cincinnati.
| May 3, 2012
New York City implements controversial crane licensing requirements
New York City officials announced strict new licensing and testing requirements for all crane operators in New York City to raise safety standards.
| May 3, 2012
Green-roof requirement now includes industrial facilities in Toronto
A mandate that requires installation of green roofs on new commercial and residential buildings in Toronto has been expanded to include industrial facilities.
| May 3, 2012
Innovative wastewater treatment helps achieve LEED rating
LEED for New Construction, Neighborhood Development and the LEED Volume Program offer some ways to achieve LEED points when dealing with wastewater treatment.
| Apr 26, 2012
Lack of bolts on steel support caused collapse at Cincinnati casino
Too few bolts connecting horizontal steel support beams with vertical steel columns was the cause of January’s construction accident at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, according to the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
| Apr 26, 2012
OSHA criticized for taking too long to roll out safety rules
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes far too long to adopt new safety regulations compared to other agencies’ development of rules, safety experts said during a Senate hearing.
| Apr 26, 2012
Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts
In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.
| Apr 26, 2012
Developers can use LEED wastewater credits to help gain approvals in environmentally sensitive locales
Those wanting to pursue development in heavily regulated and environmentally sensitive areas are benefiting by designing projects that qualify for LEED points, even if the project as a whole does not achieve certification.
| Apr 26, 2012
New York City Council moves to license elevator mechanics
New York’s City Council introduced a measure last week that would require the city’s 7,000 elevator mechanics to meet national standards and be licensed by the city.