Educational Facilities – Disaster Risk Reduction Quick Notes

Risk Reduction in New School Facilities

  • Verified procedures ensure seismic performance of buildings & contents
  • Key components:
    • Determine seismic hazards; create hazard maps
    • Develop performance criteria & culturally/economically suitable codes recognizing schools’ critical role
    • Issue simple, best‐practice regulations for low-cost rural schools
    • Train professionals, technicians, construction workforce
    • Set target dates for new standards matching each country’s current practice level
    • Enforce effective building codes & regulations rigorously

Flood Safety in Schools

  • Floods = nation’s most common natural disaster
  • Possible damages:
    • Site erosion
    • Structural & non-structural building damage
    • Utility & mechanical impairment
    • Contents loss
    • Health threats from contaminated water
    • Temporary or permanent school closure

Roles of School Administrators (Pre-Flood)

  • Improve site drainage (re-grading, larger storm drains/culverts, retention areas)
  • Provide fail-safe backup power for pumps
  • Install/maintain sewer-line check valves
  • Store electronic records off-site
  • Elevate or flood-proof new mechanical/electrical equipment
  • Relocate library/media center to upper floor in multi-storey buildings

Structural & Site Mitigation Measures

  • Lateral improvements: storm drains, drainage mains, open canals, ditches
  • Tributary upgrades along river branches
  • River protections: revetments, spur dikes, cut-off channels, groundsills
  • Sabo works, channel excavation, dredging for unobstructed flow
  • Building flood-proofing:
    • High‐floor construction
    • Impervious wall materials
    • Seal low-level windows & openings

Post-Flood Recovery Actions

  • Turn off main natural-gas valve; avoid open flames until leaks ruled out
  • If standing water/electrical damage: keep out & call power company
  • For structural distress: obtain professional assessment
  • Pump flooded basements gradually to prevent wall collapse/floor buckling
  • Disconnect damp office equipment; have technician inspect
  • Verify community water safety; shut main water valve if pipes damaged; avoid toilets
  • Clean & disinfect all wet items; discard food touched by floodwater