Buildings all up to quake code

By Jesus Diaz and Jack Wagner

In light of the earthquakes that have been rocking Santa Clara, Eureka, and most powerfully, Haiti, many students have asked how safe and prepared Santa Clara is for a major earthquake.

The major Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti and the smaller earthquakes in California served as a chilling reminder that the university is not immune to a similar quake.

Although no structural damage occurred in the Bay Area Jan. 7 earthquake, many students began to question their safety at the university -- especially in older buildings, which include St. Joseph's Hall, built in 1911, O'Connor Hall, built in 1912, and Kenna Hall, built in 1924.

Junior Sameer Syed was in class on the third floor of Kenna Hall during the earthquake.

"The whole building was shaking," he said. "A couple people freaked out."

Some students worry and feel that the ages of these buildings are unsafe for earthquakes.

"The building seemed kind of old and therefore dangerous," said freshman Max Herrmannsfeldt, who was in class on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building during the earthquake. He said he never thought the building was going to fall down.

Assistant Vice President of University Operations Joe Sugg wants to quell such concerns.

"We're in pretty good shape when it comes to reinforced buildings," Sugg said.

According to Sugg, the university proved itself to be a safe place during an earthquake by surviving the 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989; the earthquake in Haiti was a 7.0.

"1989 is a really good test on our ability to survive," Sugg said. "Both of those buildings (O'Connor & Benson Memorial Center) that are old survived very well in the 1989 earthquake."

The quake, with an epicenter near Loma Prieta peak in the Santa Cruz mountains, caused minor cosmetic damages such as cracks and window shatters in some older campus buildings. All damages were fixed.

Sugg pointed out that the university underwent a campus-wide building assessment four years ago, the previous occurring eleven years prior. These assessments are done by a civil engineering firm that Santa Clara hires.

These building assessments take place when University Operations deems them necessary and are made to ensure that the buildings are in accordance with the California Building Code. They are considered preventative measures. University Operations said that all the buildings on campus are in accordance and meet the code of buildings.

Other tests in the university's arsenal are not just preventative.

Following a major earthquake, the Facilities Department checks buildings for failed points in the structures of the buildings.

"Before it falls down, it is going to fail in a non-destructive way," Sugg said.

All of the buildings on campus have been updated and reinforced, an exception being the Donohoe Alumni House, which is constructed out of unreinforced brick. Renovations to the alumni building are scheduled for the near future.

The chances of a building falling down are unlikely, but should it occur, University Operations has two buildings designated as shelters. Pat Malley Fitness & Recreation Center and Leavey Event Center would be used in the event of the destruction of other buildings. If these two buildings suffer damages that deemed them inhabitable, other strong buildings such as the Leavey School of Business would be considered for shelter.

After the students are taken into shelters, they would find support from people who have had proper training. According to Mike Taheney, emergency planning manager, Shelter Operation classes are being taught to the facilities staff by the American Red Cross in order to operate sheltering facilities better in the event of serious disasters.

"We have people who go to shelter training," said Joe Sugg.

According to Sugg, the university has food reserves and emergency supplies that would last for up to 72 hours. These are in undisclosed, safe areas around campus and would be brought to the assigned shelter building.

Facilities recommends students should have enough essentials for a three-day period including food, water, necessary medications and a coping device.

"We are not nearly as concerned for saving our buildings as we are for saving lives," Sugg said. "I think we are very prepared, in terms of building assessments and our responses."

Contact Jesus Diaz and Jack Wagner at news@thesantaclara.com or (408) 554-4546.