Structural Failure
This section deals with emergencies which arise from land movements or structural failure in the built environment.
On this page:
The Level of Risk
Though the likelihood of significant structural hazards, such as the collapse of bridges or buildings, is assessed to be fairly low, such events have occurred in the UK and elsewhere.
The incidents of structural hazards that the UK Government uses for contingency planning purposes cover land movements (i.e. tremors and landslides), building and bridge collapse, and reservoir dam failure.
Examples
The table below shows some examples of the specific risks which are assessed as part of the national risk assessment framework. The framework applies locally, regionally, in the devolved administrations and at the UK level. Details of the framework and risk assessment methodology can be found in the risk section of this site.
Risk Evaluation
| Type of Risk | Risk Categories | Outcome Description for Planning Purposes |
|---|
| Hazard |
Building collapse |
Potential for a number of persons to be trapped or missing. Localised loss of power and other essential services. Local access routes affected due to road closures. Up to 5 fatalities depending on the size and construction of building, and occupation rates. |
|---|
| Hazard |
Land movement (tremors and landslides) |
Roads and access routes impassable for a time. Emergency access into/out of large populated areas difficult or impossible; severe congestion over wide geographical area. Loss of power and other essential services over wide geographical area. Potential for a number of persons to be trapped or missing either in landslide itself and/or in collapsed structures. Up to 5 fatalities depending on the size and location of land movement. |
|---|
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