Updated February 2008

Earthquake Loses Can Be Minimized

Businesses face substantial losses when an earthquake happens. But there are steps that can be taken to significantly prevent or reduce damage.

In the event of an earthquake, how you prepare can mean the difference between it being a distraction or a catastrophic occurrence. For those of you in historically active earthquake zones, it is critical to identify the risks and effectively address them.

Although structural damage to buildings may be the first thing someone thinks about, fires caused by damaged gas lines and the inability of broken sprinkler systems to control those fires, pose the greatest threat immediately following an earthquake.

Property damage caused by earthquakes and ensuing fires can be prevented or minimized by following a comprehensive emergency plan before and after an earthquake. To reduce the potential of business interruption, business owners should consider taking the following measures:

General Preparation:

Establish a comprehensive emergency action plan to control hazards;

Determine if secondary hazards from an earthquake exist as a result of a facility's location, such as a landslide, flooding or tsunami;

Establish and train an Emergency Response Team (ERT) covering all shifts to implement the emergency action plan, and stockpile emergency supplies that may be needed to support the ERT;

To prevent sliding of production equipment and utilities, such as boilers, generators and transformers, anchor items to the floor or to an adjacent wall; for shelved items, install restraining devices at the edges to prevent items from falling;

To prevent swinging of suspended ceilings, piping and ducts, brace items to the structure from which they are suspended;

Stock up on fire extinguishers and maintain an onsite hose with heavy water pressure.

To Prevent Fire:

Install seismic gas shutoff valves on the main service lines to each building and install automatic shutoff valves for flammable liquid and gas distribution systems;

To safeguard fire protection systems, brace sprinkler piping at regular lengths and at changes of direction, install flexibility for piping that spans joints or buildings, provide sufficient clearance of sprinkler heads and anchor water supply equipment;

To prevent overturning of materials and equipment that might result in fire, anchor items to the floor, adjacent walls or to each other in groups.

After an Earthquake Strikes:

Survey facilities for combustibles in contact with ignition sources with awareness that fire danger is greatest shortly after an earthquake;

Take inventory of damage in and around the facility and begin salvaging items as soon as possible to prevent further damage;
If sprinkler piping is damaged, empower ERT members to maintain as much fire protection in service as possible, bypass problem areas and provide alternate water supplies where possible;

Make certain that all sprinkler water supply valves are open and the water supply is freely flowing;

Check gas, water and electrical services for damage and shut off as necessary;

Repair any damaged fire protection systems immediately to prepare for aftershocks.

Your approach to earthquake loss prevention should be as a long-term investment rather than a short-term expense.