Expert: commercial buildings should reduce bomb risks.While tougher building codes may help new construction withstand bomb attacks, existing buildings also can take steps to lessen the damage of potential bombs, said Darrell Barker, vice president of extreme loads and structural risks for ABS Consulting in San Antonio San Antonio (săn ăntō`nēō, əntōn`), city (1990 pop. 935,933), seat of Bexar co., S central Tex., at the source of the San Antonio River; inc. 1837. . After the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City Downtown Oklahoma City is located near the geographic center of Oklahoma City and is the main business district of the city. Downtown OKC also is the economic, financial, and entertainment center of the state of Oklahoma. in 1995, the federal government changed requirements for its new construction, Barker said. For instance, it required windows to be glazed to prevent shattering, as well as requiring improved wall construction and the structural integrity of buildings. "In Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (1990 pop. 444,719), state capital, and seat of Oklahoma co., central Okla., on the North Canadian River; inc. 1890. The state's largest city, it is an important livestock market, a wholesale, distribution, industrial, and financial center, and a farm , an external column failed and a large girder girder In building construction, a large main supporting beam, commonly of steel or reinforced concrete, that carries a heavy transverse (crosswise) load. In a floor system, beams and joists transfer their loads to the girders, which in turn frame into the columns. on the outside failed, and the building collapsed into itself. So now they've put more continuity into the structure, so if they lose a column, it doesn't bring the rest of the building down," Barker said. The federal government also evaluated its existing buildings, and began to systematically retrofit them to become more resistant to bombs. Barker said he expects to see commercial building codes--especially those for multistory mul·ti·sto·ry also mul·ti·sto·ried adj. Having several stories: a multistory hotel. Adj. 1. buildings--also strengthened. There are a number of steps companies are already taking to make their buildings more resistant to bombs. For instance, putting a film over windows to help prevent the glass from shattering, which can serve double-duty in that it also helps the building become more energy efficient, Barker said. Installing safety film on glass is one of the cheapest ways to mitigate damage from a bomb, he said. It costs $5 to $10 per square foot of glass, as compared to $50 per square foot to replace windows with laminated glass Noun 1. laminated glass - glass made with plates of plastic or resin or other material between two sheets of glass to prevent shattering safety glass, shatterproof glass glass - a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure . It's also a good idea to have a strong and very visible security force that patrols outside of the building, as well as inside, Barker said. Also, companies can defend their perimeter by installing concrete barriers, such as large planters Planters is an American snack food company under Kraft Foods manufacturing, best known for its nuts and the Mr. Peanut icon that symbolizes them. Started by Italian immigrants Amedeo Obici and Mario Peruzzi in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1906, it was incorporated in 1908 , so vehicles can't get too close to the building. That can cost about $100 per foot, Barker said. |
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