Earthquake Myths – Doorways Are Not Safer

1. 
   2008 September 20

   RM permalink

   I have heard that *under* a table isn’t the safest place–it is possible for parts of the building to fall upon the table, causing the legs to give way, crushing anyone underneath with the combined weight.

   Instead, the safer spot is on the floor *next to* a large, solid piece of furniture, so that if the walls or ceiling (and anything above it) fall, they land in such a way as to create a small triangle with one end of the down wall/roof propped up a bit by the large object (even if it partially collapses). If the large object is large enough, a human can survive, uncrushed, in that small space even though the building has largely collapsed around them.

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2. 
   2008 September 20

   Dave Schumaker permalink

   Ah yes, you’re talking about something known as the “triangle of life” and survivable void space.

   The USGS has a frequently asked question that links to Snopes, disputing the triangle of life claims.

   We can’t say that every single point mentioned in the above article about earthquake safety by controversial “rescue expert” Doug Copp is wrong or bad advice, but there are some pretty substantial reasons why readers might want to take the article (particularly its advice that everyone who uses the “duck and cover” technique in an earthquake ends up crushed to death) with some very large grains of salt:

   * Disaster preparedness experts with the American Red Cross dispute that findings based on earthquake experiences in other countries (e.g., Turkey) are applicable to the U.S., where building codes are substantially different.

   * The scientific validity of the conclusions expressed in the article has been questioned by others.

   The American Red Cross also has a response about this claim:

   We at the American Red Cross have studied the research on the topic of earthquake safety for many years. We have benefited from extensive research done by the California Office of Emergency Services, California Seismic Safety Commission, professional and academic research organizations, and emergency management agencies, who have also studied the recommendation to “drop, cover, and hold on!” during the shaking of an earthquake. Personally, I have also benefited from those who preceded me in doing earthquake education in California since the Field Act was passed in 1933.

   What the claims made by Mr. Copp of ARTI, Inc., does not seem to distinguish is that the recommendation to “drop, cover, and hold on!” is a U.S.-based recommendation based on U.S. Building Codes and construction standards. Much research in the United States has confirmed that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!” has saved lives in the United States. Engineering researchers have demonstrated that very few buildings collapse or “pancake” in the U.S. as they might do in other countries. Using a web site to show one picture of one U.S. building that had a partial collapse after a major quake in an area with thousands of buildings that did not collapse during the same quake is inappropriate and misleading.

   [...]

   We contend that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” indeed SAVED lives, not killed people. Because the research continues to demonstrate that, in the U.S., “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!” works, the American Red Cross remains behind that recommendation. It is the simplest, reliable, and easiest method to teach people, including children.

   The American Red Cross has not recommended use of a doorway for earthquake protection for more than a decade. The problem is that many doorways are not built into the structural integrity of a building, and may not offer protection. Also, simply put, doorways are not suitable for more than one person at a time.

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3. 
   2008 September 21

   Silver Fox permalink

   Thanks for posting this – my first thought is usually a doorway, so it’s good to know better and get that myth out in the open as a myth.

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4. 
   2008 October 1

   Debbie permalink

   Dave,

   It is great to see someone spreading the word about our blog! Thanks for the publicity. :) Also, thank you for responding so thoroughly about the triangle of life.

   I would love to hear about what your plans are for the ShakeOut. Leave me a comment on the blog so I can find out. And as always, if you haven’t registered yet, go to shakeout.org/register, and tell everyone you know to sign up!

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