Seismic Safety Guide:

Essential Steps for Earthquake Preparedness

Earthquakes pose a significant threat to businesses. Their sudden and unpredictable nature can lead to extensive damage to physical infrastructure, disruption of supply chains, and a halt of operations, resulting in substantial financial losses.

Taking proactive steps to prepare for and mitigate earthquake risk is crucial for maintaining business continuity and safeguarding assets and human capital.

This comprehensive earthquake preparedness checklist is designed to help your organization mitigate risks associated with earthquakes. To assess your exposures and develop a suitable emergency response and business continuity plan, contact your insurance broker.

Before An Event

Active protection from an earthquake happens prior to an event ever occurring.

1. Install An Automatic Seismic Gas Shutoff Valve (SGSV)

• Automatically shut off the flow of flammable gas or liquid to locations throughout the building during a seismic event. This limits the opportunity for a broken pipe of flammable gas (i.e., natural gas) or liquid to be discharged into an area. A spark from a loose electrical connection or wire can cause a secondary fire event following an earthquake. Shutting off the flow of the flammable material reduces the exposure to the building.

2. Install Seismic Bracing/Retrofitting Of the Protection System

• Installing seismic bracing of the fire protection system allows for coordinated movement with the building during a seismic event. The sprinkler system and the building move in the same direction during an event, protecting the system from damage. Seismic bracing is an engineered system that requires the determination of forces on the sprinkler system and the associated load on the specific brace. Bracing is typically provided at the top of each sprinkler riser, feed mains, cross mains, and branch lines 2.5 inches or greater in diameter.
• Bracing ensures proper clearance for movement of the piping in all directions when piping is passing through walls or openings.

3. Provide Flexible Piping For Ignitable Liquids

• Flexible piping for ignitable liquids can allow for some movement within the piping system without breaking.
• Providing an automatic shutoff valve, similar to an SGSV, stops the flow of liquid in a seismic event.

4. Plan For Business Contingency

• Public water sources, gas servicing, fire response, local law enforcement, and other public services are likely to be significantly delayed after a seismic event. Planning ahead of time for how to restore operations is key to reducing business interruption. Discussing alternative options, such as a water supply, backup power, independent fire protection supply, security, and more, can speed up the recovery process if restoration companies are on retainer or if these resources are already on hand.
• Run through tabletop scenarios utilizing computer software or modeling for the most effective emergency response possible.

Earthquakes are uncontrollable natural hazards that can strike at any time. Understanding and preparing your facility before a seismic event can significantly reduce loss or damage associated with the earthquake.

Similarly, a timely, effective response after an event can greatly help to reduce risk damage.

After An Event

1. Check Utilities/Systems

• When safe to do so, an extensive analysis of the building is critical to ensuring and understanding if it is safe to turn on electricity or gas within the building. It is possible that a piece of equipment that is minimally used or is placed out of service for an extended period may have a leak, but still has utilities running to it.

2. Check System Connections and Natural Gas

• Safely check all connections to determine if slight cracks or loose connections are apparent within any part of the system.
• Controlling any gas leaks prior to the restoration of the fire protection reduces the opportunity for a secondary fire situation (after the event fire)

3. Check Domestic and Fire Protection Lines

• Check the public water supply to determine if it can adequately provide the flow and pressure needed to control a fire sufficiently.
• If a fire pump is utilized to boost the public water supply, contact the water authorities to determine if it is okay to have the fire pump on in the event there are leaks within the underground system.

4. Prohibit Or Eliminate Hot Work Until Fire Protection is Fully Restored

• Deploy and empower the emergency response team to investigate within their area of expertise or responsibility. This likely includes facility managers, electricians, plumbers, and third-party contractors/responders who are familiar with the site from effective business contingency planning and pre-earthquake planning.
• Work with the local authorities to determine when it is safe to return to the facility to ensure employees are safe to perform inspections of the building(s).

Conclusion

Ensuring your business is prepared for an earthquake is essential for minimizing damage, protecting lives, and ensuring continuity of operations. By implementing proactive measures, such as installing seismic shutoff valves and bracing systems and having a robust plan for post-earthquake inspections, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with seismic events. Use this seismic safety guide as a starting point to enhance your earthquake preparedness and consult your insurance broker for expert guidance in developing a tailored emergency response and business continuity plan.