Consider structural damage for a minute. It is very easy to say, "I'll call a contractor to get it repaired." Here is some food for thought regarding structural damage. First, your building will not be the only building damaged! Second, structural damage will have to be assessed and evaluated by a licensed engineeer who will have to develop a repair program that complies with the jurisdiction's requirements and secure a building permit. And, finally, you will have to find a contractor who is available to do the work. Throw into the mix working with your insurance company, incorporating their investigation, claim determination, and requirements.
If there are several hundred to several thousand buildings damaged by the event, how long do you suppose it will take to get your building repaired? Remember, you probably will not be able to occupy your building until it is repaired. Assuming absolutely perfect conditions (in a diaster scene, rather unlikely!) here is what you can anticipate:
--It will take up to a week to find an engineer available to come to your building.
--It will take another week (depending on the level of damage) to determine why there was
damage, what the jurisdiction's requirements are, and determine a procedure for repair.
--It will take another two weeks to a month (again, depending on the level of damage) to
develop the necessary construction documents for the repair of your building.
--The plans must now go to the building depmartment for plan check and issuance of a
building permit. The building department will be operating in an emergency mode
attempting to reduce the time it takes to get a permit. The process will still take a week
or two at the absolute best.
This is assuming absolute perfect conditions, and six weeks after the event you are ready to have a contractor begin work. The repair work could easily take another month to complete. Conditions are rarely perfect, so double this estimate of time! Can your business survive this type of disruption?
So, how do you protect your business? You reduce the potential for damage and disruption by preparing now. Have a structural engineer assess your building against the natural hazards prevalent in your area. They will make recommendations to you regarding strengthening that can be done performed now to reduce the potential for structural and nonstructural damage. Second, hire a good consultant to analyze the impact to your business from all tpes of hazards and to identify the vulnerabilities. From this information they can develop a buisness continuity plan that will provide you the guidance necessary to respond to and recover from these events. A good plan will develop an organizational structure specifically for emergency conditions with clear lines of communication and coordination to facilitate your business recovery. Each member of this organization will have assigned duties and checklists to guide them through the operation. The emergency organization can be established such that a part of your staff are involved in continued production while the remainder are involved in specific recovery actions.
The result of such a plan is reduced disruption to business, minimizing the potential of the business failing as a result of a disaster or emergency situation.
