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
Codes and Standards | Feb 25, 2020
New ISO standard for optimizing building use and reusing and recycling components released
Aim is to realize full potential value of a building throughout its life cycle.
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2020
Architects push back on proposed uniform design mandate for federal architecture
AIA speaks out against measure.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2020
City-owned buildings to go carbon-free in Los Angeles
Mayor commits to goal for new and extensively renovated structures.
Codes and Standards | Feb 19, 2020
Public is willing to volunteer to maintain green infrastructure
Perceived benefits make residents willing to help public works departments.
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2020
Recent Dept. of Energy grants emphasize grid-interactive building technology
National labs, universities, businesses selected for total of $74 million in funding.
Codes and Standards | Feb 14, 2020
At least 13 states create incentives for utilities to use demand response programs
Practice optimizes power grid, incorporates more renewable power.
Codes and Standards | Feb 13, 2020
Living Future Institute’s JUST program helps measure progress on sustainability, social justice
Functions as a transparency platform for organizations to disclose their operations.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2020
Commercial Building Energy Saver Wins R&D 100 Award
Software toolkit enables access to deep energy retrofit and zero-net energy strategies.
Codes and Standards | Feb 11, 2020
Fenestration Rating Council launches faster energy performance testing system
New windows, doors, and skylights will get to market faster.
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2020
Landlords scramble to comply with the New York City Council’s Climate Mobilization Act (CMA)
Intent is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; improve efficiency for buildings larger than 25,000 sf.