Structural Engineering and Emergency Egress Protocols

Structural engineering is the process of analyzing, designing and building structures that are significant in weight and function. These structures include bridges, aqueducts, spacecraft and tall monuments. These engineers design the structural foundations of various buildings, machines and other manmade structures. They must ensure that their creations are safe and strong enough to last for many years of use. If the structures collapse, the responsible parties will create lawsuits. A company that gets sued could go into bankruptcy. For those serious reasons, structural engineers must adhere to important emergency egress protocols. These rules help them escape from dangerous situations that could be life-threatening.

Blast Resistant Designs

There are certain emergency egress protocols that provide top-notch safety for workers. For instance, firefighters should be given access into certain buildings that contain trapped people. Every building must be constructed with fire safety and emergency egress standards in mind. Blast resistant designs are made to resist excessive damage to the walls, floors and ceilings. People are less likely to get killed by falling debris or become trapped underneath.

The Use of Stairs

Stairs are needed in most buildings whether they are deathtraps or not. When the elevators fail, people must use these stairs as backup. There should be at least two sets of stairs in case one set is blocked. Engineers know how to create stairs that prevent falls and know where to place them for easy access. They know that there must be adequate space to accommodate this safety feature.

Worker Training

Worker training is another form of effective awareness for emergency egress. Building employees are expected to train in important safety protocols. They must follow an emergency exit plan that controls the actions that they take during a disaster. They must take the right steps to move around and evacuate the area without causing further injury and damage. A power outage makes it difficult to see in the dark, which leads to slips and falls. If a structure falls, it creates debris that makes it difficult to move around. All structural workers and building users must know how to follow emergency exit routes, turn on or off alarms and do whatever it takes to remain safe.

Bombings, terrorist threats and natural disasters are a few reasons why people need safe, well-engineered buildings. They must have the right knowledge and action plans to protect the safety of all building users. However, good structural engineering is the only way to create the best results. There are specific emergency egress protocols that control how good structural engineering is made.

References:

https://www.osha.gov

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