Pakistan

Averting Disaster: Building code crucial in seismic zones

The only way to avoid loss of life and infrastructure is to strictly follow earthquake-resistant building codes.

News Desk April 18, 2013

“One of the main reasons for widespread devastation and loss of life during the 2005 earthquake was the lack of earthquake-resistant structural design and construction," says Hussain. PHOTO: FILE

The 7.9 earthquake on Tuesday has reignited the debate on the importance of following earthquake-resistant building codes.

“One of the main reasons for widespread devastation and loss of life during the 2005 earthquake was the lack of earthquake-resistant structural design and construction, said Saif Hussain, chief of party for USAID’s Pakistan Reconstruction Program (PRP).

He was leading an awareness discussion at the project office, according to a press release. There is no early warning system for earthquakes. The only way to avoid loss of life and infrastructure is to strictly follow earthquake-resistant building codes such as the 1997 Uniform Building Code (UBC), Saif added.

Concrete walls, columns and beams must be reinforced with steel to withstand movement caused by the earthquake and floors and roofs must be properly anchored to the walls, beams and columns to prevent collapsing onto occupants during an earthquake.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2013.