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| March 20, 2001
Building Report: Post-quake update from the Department of Construction & Facilities Management
Director's Note: This building report focuses on post-earthquake repairs and restoration as well as other building issues. If you have questions you want answered please e-mail Kathy Ybarra and we will work to get you an answer.
Courthouse Stairs Nighttime repairs are underway in the Courthouse stairwells. For safety purposes, they will remain closed for limited and emergency use. The stairwell project will continue until all stairwell walls are repaired or replaced. A more specific schedule will be published in early April. Elevator Repairs Elevator #3 in the Administration Building received extensive damage during the earthquake. The repairs will be completed by the beginning of May. The South Elevator Bank in the Courthouse is closed until emergency repairs are completed by Baugh Construction on April 9. Elevators will periodically shut down as reinforcement work is done on elevator shafts. Energy Conservation In the warmer weather, County buildings will be operated at 76 degrees. This is 4 degrees higher than our usual operating temperature in the summer season. During this time of energy conservation we suggest departments utilize lights-only on weekends and evenings, and limit HVAC use to absolute necessity e.g. large work groups. It is very costly to start-up and run the HVAC system. Administration Building: Bus Stops The City of Seattle is relocating the 4th and 5th Avenue bus stop zones that are next to the Municipal Building. The new location is adjacent to the King County Administration Building between Jefferson and James. There will be a load/unload space at the North end of each zoned area. Metered parking on 5th Avenue has been eliminated. The City made the changes because of construction of the Civic Center. Frequently-Asked Questions Question: How many earthquakes has the Courthouse survived? Answer: The King County Courthouse survived 3 major earthquakes in Seattle in the last 50 years — 1949 (magnitude 7.1), 1965 (magnitude 6.5) and 2001 (magnitude 6.8). Question: Who is responsible for emergency response plans for buildings? Answer: Working in conjunction with each work unit Facilities Maintenance Division creates the building emergency response plan and conducts training activities in the Courthouse-complex. Each work group should have an identified evacuation plan and train for emergency situations. The Facilities Security Emergency Dispatch Center (296-5000) is located on the 1st floor of the Courthouse. Immediately following an emergency like an earthquake, BuildingSecurity makes a building announcement to direct the actions of all floors. Subsequent to the evacuation FMD and KCS Security undertake a visual inspection of the buildings, floor by floor. Maintenance staff immediately enters to shut down building systems like the water and steam. Watch for upcoming reviews of emergency procedures and additional training sessions. Question: Who will help disabled employees exit buildings during an emergency? Answer: Floor Wardens are on the front line when a building emergency occurs. One of their primary responsibilities is to ensure that all non-ambulatory persons in their area are accounted for and provided with aides to assist in evacuation. The Facilities Security Emergency Dispatch Center should be informed if there is a non-ambulatory person who needs assistance in being evacuated. In the event phones are out, the Floor Warden dispatches a courier. The trained Floor Warden or pre-assigned Monitors assist "non-ambulatory" person(s) to an "area of refuge" and informs Security. (King County Courthouse Complex Emergency Response Plan). Question: How do we check to see if people are hurt inside an elevator? Answer: Security personnel checks all the elevators. A telephone within the elevator will automatically call the Information/Security Desk. The staff person answering the call will maintain communications with the person trapped to keep them informed of the rescue attempt being initiated. In the case of fire, the elevators are recalled to the first floor. In the case of earthquake they level to the nearest floor. Question: Can the security screening stations in the Courthouse be easily removed so that people can quickly get out of the building? Answer: The screening stations are very mobile and light weight. Security is currently working with the Sheriff's Office to create a plan to quickly move them in case of emergency evacuation. Question: What is the time frame for completion of the seismic and life safety upgrades of the Courthouse? Answer: Prior to the Nisqually Earthquake construction of the Courthouse Seismic Project (CSP) was scheduled to begin November 1. The Executive has proposed an accelerated schedule that should have work beginning in August. Because of the urgency we are working with potential contractors to identify ways to cut time off the 2-year construction project. As each floor is upgraded with reinforced columns, lateral braces and selectively placed shock-absorbing braces, the building will be increasingly able to withstand earth tremors. When it is fully complete the Courthouse will be as able as any new building to withstand the earthquakes predicted for this area. Question: When is the 911 Communications Center going to move? Answer: The Executive has proposed acceleration of the Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center (RCECC) to begin that project this fall, for completion Summer 2003. It is currently slated for construction beginning January 1, 2002, with a completion date of Fall 2003. Updated: March 20, 2001 Executive's e-mail King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not
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