David Baldwin's Trauma Information Pages

Reducing Building Safety Fears

by Dan Friedman, American Society of Home Inspectors

You can reduce your clients' fear concerning buildings which have been declared safe for entry. Just saying that a building is safe does little to reduce the fear that occupants feel when they see interior cracks or doors that stick. Explain HOW the inspector determines that a building is safe.

Understanding reduces fear.

1. Explain: The damage assessment worker checks the building for --

• Evidence of serious damage to the structure
• Evidence of other unsafe conditions, such as gas leaks or damaged electrical service
• Unsanitary conditions such as no working plumbing

2. Explain: When a building has "passed" such an inspection that means that experts have determined that the items just listed are OK.

3. Explain that --

• There will be cosmetic cracks in interior and exterior walls.
• Cosmetic cracks in plaster or stucco happen at even the slightest amount of movement.
• These cracks do NOT mean that the building is in danger of collapse -- there has not been enough movement to pull apart fraring connections or other fasteners

When a building is green-tagged as safe for entry, the building inspector has determined that the building is safe to enter.

4. Explain: In any building, inspected or not, occupants should watch for other conditions which, while they do not threaten collapse, can still be dangerous -- independent of the current disaster/recovery situation.

• Very loose ceiling or wall plaster can fall -- remove it.
• Loose or damaged steps and rally are a trlp/fall hazard
• Damaged or loose electrical wiring, outlets, lights should be repaired
• If you smell gas, leave the building
• If occupants observe changes in cracks, then the building should be examined further

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