CLAE Earthquake plan 2017

C – Construction

Before entering a building you should always evaluate the construction. WFET recommend you to divide the constructions into three: Green, Yellow and Red.

Red indicates that the construction might fall easily.
- A weak construction is an old fragile construction (likely to fall).
- Resist little and might fall with a >5R
Yellow indicates that the construction is average and will resist most earthquakes.
- A Neutral construction might be a solid constructed building that is not new
- Resist almost everything, but might fall with a >7
Green indicates that the construction is as strong as it is possible to get.
- A strong construction might be a Resisting construction like a solid concrete building (not likely to fall).
- Resist everything, but might fall with a >8.5

Be realistic in your evaluation. Pick what is most likely.

L – Localization

Think about where you are geographically. Some areas are more likely to get an earthquake than others, and some areas would resist an earthquake worse than others. WFET recommend you to divide into three areas: Green, Yellow and Red.

Red indicates that the area frequently have earthquakes.
- Likely to get strong earthquakes; >8R
- Perhaps sandy soil
Yellow indicates that the area might get earthquakes, but not that frequent or strong.
- Likely to get medium earthquakes; >5R
- Perhaps rock in the ground
Green indicates that the area does not have or very weak earthquakes.
- Not likely to get earthquakes
- Not close to any continental folds

Be realistic in your evaluation. Pick what is most likely.

A – Area

When you are inside a construction you need to remember that the outer-wall fall first and inner-walls seldom fall; making it dangerous to be close to the outside wall. At the same time you need to remember that the rescue workers normally don’t get to you if you are trapped far inside a collapsed building; meaning the more out the greater chance to be found in life. WFET divide into three zones of areas of constructions: Green, Yellow and Red.

Red indicates that the area is dangerous and might collapse
- Close to outer wall
Yellow indicates that the area is less dangerous, but still potential dangerous
- Inside a building
Green indicates that the area is considered safe
- Close to parts that will not collapse

In some cases it is safer to not be that inside a building; considering the work of the rescue workers if it is a total collapse of the building.

E – Earthquake and its Strength

It is impossible to predict the strength of an earthquake, but we can to a certain degree predict if an area normally have earthquakes or not; depending on the tectonic plates. WFET divide into three zones of earthquakes: Green, Yellow and Red.

Red indicates that hard Earthquakes <8R can occur; most likely <6R
- It has happened before
- The area is close to a tectonic ridge
Yellow indicates that medium hard Earthquakes <6R can occur; most likely <4R
- It has happened before
- The area is relatively close to a tectonic ridge; most likely <2R
Green indicates that light Earthquakes <4R can occur
- I might have happened before
- The area is not that close to a tectonic ridge

Be realistic in your evaluation. Pick what is most likely.

Procedure for the WFET approved CLAE method

The first step is to realistically go through the four points and qualify into green, yellow and red. Then you look at the result and evaluate. The more red the more prepared you need to be. Beside this you need to consider some CLAE aspects to prepare for the worst. CLAE is very important when you are in an earthquake area. Please consider these markers.

C- Construction

Red: Best to not enter this building. If you choose to enter prepare.

Yellow: No problem to enter this building, but prepare.

Green: No problem to enter this building.

Prepare indicates that you need to place yourself in a favourable place in the building.

If “LAE” is red you need to consider that it might become a total collapse of the building. Don’t go to deep into the building (easier to be found) and find items you might hide next to if the roof falls down (protects you). Note that you will be hit by falling objects, but you will not be squeezed under a falling roof.

If “LAE” is not totally red you need to consider that parts of the building might collapse. Stay away from the external walls; they are likely to fall. Hide under something that might protect you from falling objects; the roof is not likely to fall.

Note: It is very discussed if you only should “drop, hide and hold” or go for “the triangle of life”. In 99% of all cases “drop, hide and hold” is the correct choice. It is the best option because it might save you most of the time. Only in total collapse of the building “the triangle of life” (something that is very rare) might save your life. It is up to you what you select do.

L – Localization geographically

Red: Take care and prepare.

Yellow: Take care

Green: Relax

Prepare indicates that you think more on earthquake than normal.

A – Area inside a construction

Red: You better not be here. Prepare.

Yellow: Be on alert and prepare.

Green: Take care

Prepare indicates that you think about and start to adjust for self-protection against an earthquake.

E- Earthquake; Strength

Red: Highly on alert