NDMA Guidelines 2007 on Earthquakes

NDMA had released its details earthquake guidelines in 2007. The guidelines prescribe measures for Central Ministries and Departments and State Governments to prepare disaster management plans having specific components on earthquake risk management. The basic premise of these guidelines includes six pillars of Earthquake management to be implemented in three phases:

Earthquake-Resistant Design and Construction of New Structures

In most earthquakes, the collapse of structures like houses, schools, hospitals and public buildings results in the widespread loss of lives and damage. Earthquake also destroys public infrastructure like roads, dams and bridges, as well as public utilities like power and water supply installations. Past earthquakes show that over 95% of the lives lost were due to the collapse of buildings that were not earthquake-resistant. Though there are buildings codes and other regulations which make it mandatory that all structures in earthquake-prone areas in the country must be built in accordance with earthquake-resistant construction techniques, new constructions often overlook strict compliance to such regulations and building codes. Faculty members in engineering colleges, architecture colleges, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics will also be provided adequate exposure to earthquake resistance design and construction techniques, so that students are made aware of earthquake-resistance design and construction. While the implementation of these Guidelines in areas within seismic Zone III will be initiated during Phase I, these efforts will be intensified in these during Phase II.

Seismic Strengthening and retrofitting of Lifeline and Priority Structures

There are approximately 12 crore buildings in seismic Zones III, IV and V. Most of these buildings are not earthquake-resistant and are potentially vulnerable to collapse in the event of a high intensity earthquake. As it is not practically feasible or financially viable to retrofit all the existing buildings, these Guidelines recommend the structural safety audit and retrofitting of select critical lifelines structures and high priority buildings. Such selection will be based on considerations such as the degree of risk, the potential loss of life and the estimated financial implications for each structure, especially in high-risk areas, i.e. seismic Zones III, IV and V. While these Guidelines indicate an illustrative list of such buildings and structures, the state government/SDMAs will consultation with their SEMCs and Hazards Safety Cells (HSCs), review their existing built environment, and prepare such lists.

Regulation and Enforcement

A periodic revision of the codes and standards relating to earthquake-resistant construction will be undertaken by drafting groups within a fixed time-frame of five years or even earlier on priority basis, in keeping with international practices. Other than the BIS, there are a number of other bodies that develop design codes and guidelines in the country, e.g. the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highway (MoSRTH), Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Ministry of Railways (MoR), and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Codes developed by these organisations will also be updated and made consistent with the current state-of-the-art techniques on earthquake-resistant design and construction. These agencies also have a number of construction practices regulated through internal memos, the review of which will also be undertaken at the earliest.

Design provisions are required on many topics that have been addressed so far in the existing codes or guidelines in India. Such topics include:

• Seismic design of non-structural elements and components of buildings and structures.
• Seismic design of reinforced masonry structures.
• Seismic evaluation and strengthening of structures.
• Seismic design of buried and above ground pipelines.
• Seismic design and ductile detaining of steel structures.
• Seismic design and ductile detaining of bridge piers.
• Seismic design, construction and manufacture of facilities, structures and components related to electrical power generation, transmission and distribution.
• Seismic design of tunnels.

Awareness and Preparedness

A comprehensive awareness campaign will be developed and implemented on the safe practices to be followed before, during and after an earthquake. This campaign will also emphasise the prevalent seismic risk and vulnerability of the states as well as highlight the roles and responsibilities of all communities and stakeholders in addressing this risk.

Creation of Public Awareness on Seismic Safety and Risk Reduction

• The guidelines say that a handbook on earthquake safety will be prepared for the general public highlighting the safety of persons (i.e., indoors, outdoors, and driving), buildings and structures and non-structural contents of buildings. {This handbook is available on NDMA site}.
• A homeowners seismic safety manual will be prepared emphasising earthquake-resistant techniques for new buildings and for the seismic strengthening and retrofitting of existing buildings.
• A manual on structural safety audit of infrastructure and lifeline buildings will be prepared.
• Translations of the above documents into local and regional languages will be undertaken for easy comprehension.
• Video films will be prepared for the general public to articulate the earthquake risk, vulnerability and preparedness and mitigation measures.

Capacity Development (Including Education, Training, R&D and Documentation

The developments of high-quality education materials, textbooks, field training and the improvement of the quality of teaching at all levels will be given due emphasis. Education and training programmes will be designed, with greater attention on developing the capacity and skills of trainers and trained teachers. Appropriately designed science and technology courses will be introduced to orient all targets groups including school teachers and health professionals in the subject. The central and state government will encourage knowledge institutions to undertake research, teaching and training, which will further contribute to improving earthquake education in India.

Response

The management and control of the adverse consequences of future earthquakes will require coordinated, prompt and effective response systems at the district and the community levels. Many of the components of response initiatives are the same for different types of disasters and systems need to be developed considering the multi-hazard scenario of various regions in order to optimally utilise available resources.  Ensure the incorporation of earthquake-resistant design features for the construction of new structures.  Facilitate selective strengthening and seismic retrofitting of existing priority and lifeline structures in earthquake-prone areas.  Improve the compliance regime through appropriate regulation and enforcement.  Improve the awareness and preparedness of all stakeholders.  Introduce appropriate capacity development interventions for effective earthquake management (including education, training, R&D, and documentation).  Strengthen the emergency response capability in earthquake-prone areas.