The previous bombing incidents in different parts of the globe show that even the building occupants near the blast site are not spared from the harms that an explosion could bring. Attesting to it is the high number of fatalities and injuries due to structural failure.
This only shows that there is a pressing need for building owners and designers to take into account certain blast resistant requirements when planning and designing or redesigning a building. While there's no perfect blast resistant design for buildings or any infrastructure for that matter, hiring engineers and architectures with adequate knowledge on infrastructure protection can help reduce the possibility of the establishment being a hazard in case of an explosion.
Usually, it is the owner of the building that decides if a blast resistant design will be integrated in the plan. Although evacuation sounds a practical mitigation strategy, blast resistance should be considered for buildings because it isn't possible to evacuate all the people inside the building in a short period of time.
Buildings that will be used for critical services are also required to have a blast resistant design. Examples of these are companies that handle or control multiple units and need to shut down the entire operation first to minimize risks. A specific example of this is the firefighting department. The building they occupy should be resistant to explosions since there are equipment inside that will be needed in controlling the blast and in rescuing people.
For professionals, there's a difference between the terms blast resistant and blast proof. Blast resistant is a term used for buildings that would have a resistance to some 3 psi overpressure. This term is therefore applied to lower exposure protected buildings. On the other hand, blast proof is applicable to buildings that could withstand an overpressure wave from an explosion of 10 psi.
Indeed, in today's society when bombing can happen even in the most unexpected place and time, designing blast proof or blast resistant buildings is very important. Blast designs for buildings don't only help save lives due to the added physical security but these also prove more practical in the long run.
This only shows that there is a pressing need for building owners and designers to take into account certain blast resistant requirements when planning and designing or redesigning a building. While there's no perfect blast resistant design for buildings or any infrastructure for that matter, hiring engineers and architectures with adequate knowledge on infrastructure protection can help reduce the possibility of the establishment being a hazard in case of an explosion.
Usually, it is the owner of the building that decides if a blast resistant design will be integrated in the plan. Although evacuation sounds a practical mitigation strategy, blast resistance should be considered for buildings because it isn't possible to evacuate all the people inside the building in a short period of time.
Buildings that will be used for critical services are also required to have a blast resistant design. Examples of these are companies that handle or control multiple units and need to shut down the entire operation first to minimize risks. A specific example of this is the firefighting department. The building they occupy should be resistant to explosions since there are equipment inside that will be needed in controlling the blast and in rescuing people.
For professionals, there's a difference between the terms blast resistant and blast proof. Blast resistant is a term used for buildings that would have a resistance to some 3 psi overpressure. This term is therefore applied to lower exposure protected buildings. On the other hand, blast proof is applicable to buildings that could withstand an overpressure wave from an explosion of 10 psi.
Indeed, in today's society when bombing can happen even in the most unexpected place and time, designing blast proof or blast resistant buildings is very important. Blast designs for buildings don't only help save lives due to the added physical security but these also prove more practical in the long run.
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