Building or Bridge Collapse *

Description:

Loss of structural integrity of buildings and bridges resulting in significant personal injury or economic loss.

Secondary Effects:

Normal routes of travel would be interrupted causing substantial inconvenience. Functional purpose of the structure/building would be terminated. Personal injury may occur in the collapse.

Vulnerability:

There are many buildings owned by the State of Maine which are very old or which may become hazardous in the event of an earthquake or high winds. All bridges are vulnerable to the effects of the elements and the natural deterioration which results. Increases in the amount and weight of traffic they are expected to support increases their vulnerability to failure. Bridges and building may be the focus of a terroist attack.

Mitigation:

The Maine Department of Transportation is responsible for the inspection, repair and/or replacement of bridges in the major route systems in the State of Maine. Through their efforts, the danger of bridge collapse has been minimized in the absence of earthquake or other natural or man-made catastrophe. Building inspections on local levels address safety requirements. The Bureau of Public Improvements of the Department of Administration is responsible for State-owned facilities. If substandard conditions are found, they are corrected if continued use of the building is planned.

* An occurrence of this hazard could possibly be initiated by a deliberate act.

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MAINE PREPARES

Building or Bridge Collapse *

Description:

Secondary Effects:

Vulnerability:

Mitigation:

MAINE HAZARDS