Improving Hospital Safety: Earthquakes, Floods and Wind

Course Description:

The objective of this course is to inform and assist design professionals, hospital administrators, and facility managers in implementing sound mitigation measures that will decrease the vulnerability of hospitals to disruptions caused by natural hazard events. The intent of the course is to provide its audience with state-of-the-art knowledge on the variety of vulnerabilities faced by hospitals exposed to earthquakes, flooding, and high-winds risks, as well as the best ways to mitigate the risk of damage and disruption of hospital operations caused by these events.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principle considerations determining hospital design, from standard industry requirements to new developments that are transforming both hospital operations and organization of the physical environment.
• Learn about potential earthquake damage to hospitals, and how hospital facilities can most efficiently improve their performance.
• Understand the nature of flood forces and their effects on building.
• Understand the effects of wind forces on hospitals' structural and nonstructural building components.