About 30 inspection teams of two inspectors each have conducted at least quick exterior inspections of downtown Napa, Calif., buildings since a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the region. More than 150 buildings in the area have been declared unsafe to occupy.Nonductile concrete buildings and those made of brick or stone appear to have suffered the most damage.
Some city officials said it’s too early to fully determine the effectiveness of years of earthquake preparedness and structural retrofitting. More comprehensive structural inspections have yet to be conducted.
Some reports have indicated that seismic retrofit work did save some buildings, though. One inspector told the local Press Democrat newspaper that about 15 buildings he inspected did have seismic retrofitting and were still standing.
Another inspector said that although retrofitted buildings were damaged, structural steel added to interiors saved some from destruction.
(http://www.pressdemocrat.com/home/2587291-181/teams-of-inspectors-start-assessment)
Related Stories
| Oct 25, 2012
Net Zero buildings will use operating systems like computers to save energy
As buildings become more efficient and begin to use distributed electricity generation, they will need to become “smarter,” using operating systems much as a computer does.
| Oct 18, 2012
Princeton, N.J. residents upset over proposal to exempt colleges from land use laws
Princeton, N.J. residents criticized proposed legislation that would exempt private colleges and universities from following local land use laws for construction projects.
| Oct 18, 2012
Utah contracting firm challenges state immigration law
Universal Contracting LLC of American Fork, Utah, has filed suit challenging the constitutionality of Utah’s 2011 immigration law.
| Oct 18, 2012
More than 65,000 construction, design jobs may be cut if sequestration takes place
About $2 billion worth of construction and design projects would be eliminated if scheduled federal budget cuts, referred to as sequestration, take effect on Jan. 2, 2013.
| Oct 18, 2012
OSHA investigating parking garage collapse that kills four at Doral, Fla. college
OSHA is investigating the collapse of a five-story concrete parking garage under construction at Miami Dade College West Campus in Doral, Fla. that killed four workers and injured several others.
| Oct 18, 2012
EPA commercial building lead paint rule pushed back to 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's inclusion of commercial buildings in a residential lead paint rule is being delayed until 2015.
| Oct 18, 2012
Chicago pushing green roofs to reduce heat island effect
The city of Chicago has mandated that all new buildings that require any public funds must be LEED certified, usually with a green roof.
| Oct 11, 2012
OSHA launches pilot program for alternative dispute resolution on whistleblower complaints
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program.
