The Oregon legislature has repealed a ban on construction of new critical facilities in tsunami inundation zones.
The action now allows fire stations, police stations, and schools to be built where tidal waves caused by offshore earthquakes could strike the coast.
An Oregon State University professor and an earthquake geologist argued that building in a tsunami zone is a foolhardy strategy with the potential for waves to reach seven stories in height.
But officials in coastal communities countered that placing an outright ban on new facilities creates a hardship that could stifle development.
A new facility being built by the University of Oregon in a tsunami zone demonstrates the lengths designers have to go to in order to make buildings able to withstand strong earthquakes and the biggest tsunamis. The building will feature a rooftop evacuation site that can accommodate more than 900 people.
The neighboring states of Washington and California have beefed up building codes in recent years to address the threat of tsunamis. Washington requires municipalities and counties to establish rules to limit development in areas that are frequently flooded or could be hit by tsunamis. California does not restrict development in tsunami zones, but it recently amended its building code to require that certain types of buildings be constructed to withstand tsunamis.
Related Stories
| May 10, 2012
Chapter 6 Energy Codes + Reconstructed Buildings: 2012 and Beyond
Our experts analyze the next generation of energy and green building codes and how they impact reconstruction.
| May 10, 2012
Resilience should be considered a sustainability factor
Since a sustainable building is one you don't have to rebuild, some building sustainability experts believe adding points for "resilience" to storms and earthquakes to the LEED sustainability rating tool makes sense.
| May 10, 2012
University of Michigan research project pushes envelope on green design
A research project underway at the University of Michigan will test the potential of intelligent building envelopes that are capable of monitoring weather, daylight, and occupant use to manage heating, cooling, and lighting.
| May 10, 2012
Fire suppression agents go greener
Environmental sensitivity is helping to drive adoption of new fire suppression agents.
| May 10, 2012
Industry groups urge Congress to leave contracting decisions to agencies
An organization of several industry groups urged Congress to leave many contracting decisions to the discretion of individual agencies by avoiding blanket mandates.
| May 10, 2012
OSHA proposes new rule to have employers find and fix hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a new regulation, Injury and Illness Prevention Program, or I2P2, which would compel employers to find and fix safety hazards.
| May 3, 2012
Stay current on green codes at AGC Environmental Conference
Keep abreast of market trends such as 2012 changes to green standards and codes at the AGC Contractors Environmental Conference, June 7-8, 2012 in Arlington, Va.
| May 3, 2012
OSHA reduces fines in Cincinnati casino collapse
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has reduced the number of violations from four to two against four firms it cited earlier this month in the collapse of a casino under construction in Cincinnati.
| May 3, 2012
New York City implements controversial crane licensing requirements
New York City officials announced strict new licensing and testing requirements for all crane operators in New York City to raise safety standards.
