Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Goodbye El Niño, hello La Niña ... Tied Oregon primary race decided by rolling dice ... Two drivers die in single-vehicle crashes ... Goodbye El Niño, hello La Niña ... Tied Oregon primary race decided by rolling dice ... Two drivers die in single-vehicle crashes ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Big-box stores are earthquake resistant Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 5, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 7, 2016 at 2:23 PM Posted Jun. 5, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 7, 2016 at 2:23 PM » Social News Are all these big-box, concrete block stores being built around town earthquake proof? — Bill M., Medford "Earthquake proof" is a pretty tall order, Bill. We checked in with Chris Reising, Medford’s deputy city manager, and he said, “I don’t think anybody can say anything is truly earthquake proof.” Instead, the city and most engineers prefer to say earthquake resistant. Different buildings have different standards that can make them more or less earthquake resistant than another building. There are four different rankings for buildings, depending on what kind of service they offer. For instance, the new Medford police station is being built to the highest ranking and should be able to survive a major earthquake and continue operations. Likewise, new fire stations, hospitals and shelters are all built to this high level of earthquake resistance. Reising said the engineering of the building looks at the type of soil to estimate how the earthquake might shake the building both horizontally and up and down. Schools and nursing homes are one step down at Category 3, so they should survive a strong earthquake but aren’t built to resist as strong an earthquake as a Category 4 building. As to your question, Bill, big-box stores and many buildings are designed to stay standing after an earthquake so that people inside aren’t injured. They are built according to Category 2 standards. “The idea is that the building won’t collapse,” Reising said. City Hall was retroffited to Category 2 standards However, the building may not be able to be occupied after the quake. Category 1 buildings, which have fewer earthquake-resistant features, include storage units and agricultural buildings. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 5, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 7, 2016 at 2:23 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501