The Oregon legislature has repealed a ban on construction of new critical facilities in tsunami inundation zones.
The action now allows fire stations, police stations, and schools to be built where tidal waves caused by offshore earthquakes could strike the coast.
An Oregon State University professor and an earthquake geologist argued that building in a tsunami zone is a foolhardy strategy with the potential for waves to reach seven stories in height.
But officials in coastal communities countered that placing an outright ban on new facilities creates a hardship that could stifle development.
A new facility being built by the University of Oregon in a tsunami zone demonstrates the lengths designers have to go to in order to make buildings able to withstand strong earthquakes and the biggest tsunamis. The building will feature a rooftop evacuation site that can accommodate more than 900 people.
The neighboring states of Washington and California have beefed up building codes in recent years to address the threat of tsunamis. Washington requires municipalities and counties to establish rules to limit development in areas that are frequently flooded or could be hit by tsunamis. California does not restrict development in tsunami zones, but it recently amended its building code to require that certain types of buildings be constructed to withstand tsunamis.
Related Stories
| Feb 17, 2012
Comment period opens March 1 for LEED 2012 update
USGBC says that LEED's strength comes from its continuous evolution.
| Feb 17, 2012
OSHA training videos on proper respirator use available online
17 short videos to help workers learn about the proper use of respirators on the job.
| Feb 17, 2012
Union/employer collaboration on the rise aimed at exceeding OSHA safety standards
Unions have learned to help employers win contracts with bids made competitive through good safety practices.
| Feb 16, 2012
Gain greater agility and profitability with ArchiCAD BIM software
White paper was written with the sole purpose of providing accurate, reliable information about critical issues related to BIM and what ArchiCAD with advanced technology such as the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server provide as an answer to address these issues.
| Feb 9, 2012
Initiative to sell off under-used federal property gaining momentum
The bill is similar to a White House planto cut $8 billion worth of building costs by the end of the 2012 fiscal year, and to establish a panel to identify other sites worth selling or donating to nonprofits or state and local governments.
| Feb 9, 2012
Computer tool helps engineers design roof cladding using Canada's building code
Easier to design roof cladding that can withstand winds in a given area.
| Feb 9, 2012
Webinar focuses on lessons learned from LEED-certified industrial project
This case study will focus on strategies used to save the client money, achieve certification, and effectively market success once the project was complete.
| Feb 9, 2012
Rapid growth of zero energy buildings expected
Much of that growth will be in the European Union, where near-zero energy buildings are mandated by 2019 for public buildings, and by 2021 for all construction.
| Feb 9, 2012
Stiffer OSHA fines put strain on Kansas contractors
A fine for a violation that once cost between $750 and $1,200 now runs $7,000 or more per incident, according to a state industry association official.
