Identification and Reduction of Nonstructural Earthquake Hazards in California Schools.

It is necessary to identify nonstructural hazards at the school site to reduce the possibly of injury in the event of an earthquake. Nonstructural hazards can occur in every part of a building and all of its contents with the exception of structure. In other words, nonstructural elements are everything but the columns, beams, floors, load-bearing walls, and foundations. Common nonstructural items include ceilings, lights, windows, office equipment, computers, files, and anything stored on shelves or hung on walls. In an earthquake, nonstructural elements may become unhooked, dislodged, thrown about, and tipped over; this can cause injury and loss of life, extensive damage, and interruption of operations. Ever since the Field Act of 1933, public school buildings in California have been constructed to meet stringent seismic design codes; however, attention was not given to nonstructural hazards until relatively recently. Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations now prescribes some nonstructural seismic safety elements for new construction in public schools, but many nonstructural hazards are still not covered. A checklist gives the nonstructural hazards known to be dangerous or problematic in earthquakes. Illustrations contain the specifications necessary to correct the particular nonstructural hazard. (Author/KDP)