Hazards
The impact on schools
Flood: Flood and heavy rains can damage school supplies, books
and furniture. Fast-moving water erodes soil and undermines
building foundations. Floodwaters seep into walls, weakening them
and potentially leading to collapse.
Landslides: Landslides can crush and bury schools and
people. Pressure from rocks, snow or soil can damage walls and
foundations and break underground utilities near or in the school.
SCHOOL
SECTION III: PLANNING
SCHOOL
Earthquakes: Earthquake shaking can collapse weak school
buildings or cause enough heavy damage so that the building is
not safe to be occupied. In small earthquakes, shaking can cause
non-structural damage – large furniture can topple, cleaning and
chemistry supplies can spill, electronic equipment can slide off
desks and window glass can shatter. These damages can injure
students.
High winds: High winds can cause the complete collapse of weak
schools. Even without collapse, winds can rip roofing off, blow out
glass windows and carry debris through the air at speeds that can
pierce school walls. When accompanied by rain, the wind and rain
can seep in through poorly constructed buildings – ruining books,
equipment and other building contents.
Tsunami and flash floods: Rushing water can destroy building
exteriors, pile up toxic debris in and around schools sites, and
cause water damage to the interior of schools. High inundation can
sweep facilities off their foundations and destroy them. Students
and staff caught in the waters can drown or be crushed by debris.
Extreme temperatures: Extreme temperatures within school
buildings can make learning impossible. These conditions can
also be physically unsafe for students traveling to and from school.
School designs that incorporate ventilation, insulation, building
material and orientation relative to the sun can increase student
comfort inside classrooms and enhance their ability to learn.
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