CC MIN 1971 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

108 Chief Building Official presented a detailed report of the inspection trip , copies of which were provided to Council , during which they were given a complete guided tour of the disaster area by members of the Los Angeles Fire Department , including transportation and a 2 -hour helicopter flight , and photographed effects of the earthquake . Statistics obtained from a lecture by the Building Official of the City of Los Angeles were detailed as to time , magnitude , location , areas of varying damage , types of construction which withstood the effects , as well as a description of their disaster plan . They also determined from the Fire Department personnel that extensive damage occurred to certain household items and materials stored on shelves , to parapets and appendages on older buildings in downtown San Fernando , but there was no significant information available concerning overturned water heaters or sign failures . The four fire stations which responded to the disaster indicated water heaters and signs presented no problems to specifically consider or emphasize . Chief Building Official concluded the report with a number of impressions : Intense ground movement and displacements caused severe damage within a relatively small area of the City of Los Angeles . Timing and location of the earthquake was fortunate , in that injury and fatalities would have been more extensive had it occurred during peak traffic periods or during normal working hours . Construction utilizing rigid materials suffered more severe damage than the more flexible wood frame type , and buildings under con- struction are vulnerable to collapse . Utility systems are subject to rupture and removal from service for indefinite periods of time . Major damage and earth displacements appeared to have occurred parallel to , adjacent to , and on top of existing faults . Redwood City operates under 1967 Uniform Building Code which contains same earthquake provisions as the Los Angeles building codes ; seismic design criteria are updated yearly ( Structural Engineers Association of California ) as additional research data and experience become available , and it was his recommendation not to over-react with code or state law changes without combined formulation of data from geological , seismo- logical and structural engineers societies as a result of the San Fernando earthquake . That the communities within this area should jointly develop emergency services plan to provide response to earthquake disaster affecting one or several cities within the County . ( Councilman Williams returned to the meeting at 8 : 50 p . m . ) A series of photographic slides was shown depicting various types of damage to structures .