From my perspective it seems that nature is conspiring against us. I guess I’m being a little dramatic, but you have to admit that the term “Snowmegeddon” doesn’t exude warm fuzzy feelings. And in Vancouver, where it should be really cold – it is presently a balmy 48 degrees. On a more serious note, the earthquake in Haiti is still a concern that has the global community actively engaged on many fronts.
According to the Unites States Geological Survey (USGS) there have been close to 200 earthquakes worldwide with magnitudes greater than 2.5 in the last seven days. And in the Unites States during the same time period there have been more than 800 earthquakes (granted most of them go unnoticed) with the highest concentration being in Alaska, California, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. However, we know from the recent 3.8 shake up near Chicago that earthquakes are unpredictable.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a list of ways people can prepare their homes for an earthquake including fastening shelves to walls, bracing overhead light fixtures, securing heavy items such as bookcases to walls and repairing any structural defects such as creaks in ceilings and foundations.
I own a home as do many of my friends and I can’t recall anyone saying, “I think I’ll spend this Saturday preparing my house for an earthquake.” (Note: I don’t live in California, Alaska or Puerto Rico.) I think most of us feel like our odds are pretty good that we won’t experience an earthquake and if we do surely the damage would be minimal.
On the other hand, if I am responsible for technology resources that are extremely expensive and sustain important information and software for organizations including financial and health institutions, I may take my earthquake preparedness more seriously. Data centers located in zones where seismic activity is most likely to occur are mandated to adhere to various building codes that require a certain level of earthquake preparation. Several of the requirements are somewhat similar to the ones mentioned above for your home including fastening racks to walls and floors, keeping a certain amount of distance between racks and using products that meet the requirements for zone 4 seismic events such as CPI’s Seismic Frame® Two-Post Rack, with the highest load rating in the industry. Watch a video of the seismic test.
In California, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) works closely with major hospitals to ensure they can withstand major earthquakes and other disasters. Products with OSHPD OPA numbers have been reviewed and certified by structural engineers. See a list of CPI’s OSHPD products.
For more information about earthquake preparedness read “Specifying Equipment Racks for Seismic Environments” by Alan, Taft, CPI Senior Product Manager. Additional sources for information include: Section 4.4, “Earthquake, Office Vibration and Transportation Vibration” of Telcordia Technologies, Inc. GR-63-CORE Network Equipment Building Systems (NEBS) requirements, Uniform Building Code (UBC) and the International Building Code (IBC).
Please leave any comments you may have, or contact us for assistance with your seismic requirements. Kim Ream, Sr. eCommerce Specialist