Karthquake BOB RASMUS could | be called the doom-sayer. By Kate Zimmerman News Reporter He’s the guy who will — for a fee — come to your house or busi- ness, look around, and tell you the place is going to fall apart when the inevitable Big Onc hits. But, the president of the North Vancouver company Quake Safe tries to be gentle. Rasmus recenily entered the por- tals of a reporter’s modest rented ranch-house in Lynn Valley, made an examination and pronounced it “not really in all that bad shape.” There’s the matter of the chim- ney, of course. : Rasmus said the mortar. had deteriorated around it and unless the chimney was reinforced inside the attic it would crash through into the house. This is a common problem in older homes, he said. The floor-to-ceiling windows in many of the rooms would doubtless shatter, said Rasmus, but the most - important ones to consider were: . those in the bedrooms. At night- time, with power gone, unseen bro- ken glass on the floor could cause injuries. The truly cautious would buy a transparent film to cover the bed- room windows; the glass will still break during a quake, but it won't fall out of the frame. (The film also offers UV protection and makes it harder for people to break in, said Rasmus, who particularly recom- mends it for schools.) Failing that, people should always close their windows and blinds at night, so glass falls outside the house rather than inside. To cut: down on the amount of shattered:glass, Rasmus also recom- mended that TVs and VCRs be bolted to their stands using com- merciai velcro pads. The same would go for computer equipment, “If you're in a kitchen when an earthquake happens, get out,” he warned. “It’s usually wise to go outside.” The most obvious problem is that the cupboards will fly open and thrRasmus suid it’s best to store the heaviest pots, pans and foodstuffs on bottom shelves, so they have less distance to fly. If the refrigera- tor isn’t secured to the wall, it will “walk.” he said. - The same rule applies to book- ’ shelves, which can be dangerous if they topple in bedrooms. Again, the heavies: books should be stored at the bottom. Rasmus said the water tank, which Jooked innocent cnough tucked inside a cupboard, should be ppc 850 “would be set in NEWS photo Torry Peters. BOB RASMUS of North Vancouver's Quake Safe points out that in the event of a major earthquake, an outside off tank like this one could spill and start a fire unless it is firmly attached to the ground or a wall. bolted to the wall, as well. ’ There should be a spot in the house that’s free of potential haz- ards, Rasmus said. Pictures and photographs should be clipped se glass won’t fall out of them and shatter; glass can also be removed and replaced with plexi- glas. Pictures shouldn't be hung above beds, either, because they might fall onto a sleeping parent or child. Outside the house, Rasmus was most alarmed by the heating oil tank. which stands outside, next to the master bedroom wall. “In all likelihood, it would fall over.” he said, warming that it could start a fire. Idealiy, the tank's legs concrete. Otherwise, “It should be strapped to the wail at the top and secured at the bottom se it can"t move away.” Rasmus poinied out that gas. is the more common heating fuel. He said everyone in « family should know how to turn off the water and State of the art Ericsson Digital pocket Cellular Phone* or tease a Motorola flip phone for only $9.95/month with no buy out. Unlimited locat calling for the first month, alse receive a free leather case ($39 value) MA) MOTOROLA * Some conditions apoty, Cait for cetists. 3-910 Mainland St. Vancouver * APPROVED AGENT re the gas; a wrench should be includ- ed in any earthquake survival kit. If they don’t smell gas. there is no need to tum it off, he said. The gas barbecue would proba- bly be the only place to cook food if disaster struck, Rasmus said, so it should be fastened to the propane tank and both should be firmly bolt- ed in place. The trouble-shooting service Quake Safe provides (a two-hour inspection of home or business including a detailed structural analysis of the building) costs $100. Rasmus is an engineer and design draftsman who has only recently become interested in earth- quake preparedness. Construction is his full-cime job, but Quake Safe is a sideline that could prove dmely. “People aren't ‘inspired’ enough yet,” he said. “What we need is a 4.5 on the Richter (scale) to shake them up a dit. North Shore’s Private Counselling Centre Stress Management Autogenic Training with Beth Helsley Understand your stress and ; learn a practical method of / relaxation. 6 Wednesday Evenings April 6 - May 11, 1994 302-2030 Marine Drive North Vancouver, B.C. 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