Evaluating Access to Structures

In the early hours after a disaster event, the owners or tenants of buildings will want free access to retrieve personal possessions and business records. Therefore, the first questions to answer include:

1. Who can have access?


2. When can they have access?


3. For how long can they have access?

Local government used to look to the safety assessment evaluator for answers to these questions, but this is not part of the evaluator's role.

The process for evaluating access is similar to the detailed evaluation. Once the general structural and non-structural condition of the building is determined, evaluators can complete a detailed investigation of the access. All members of the detailed evaluation team should be involved in this part of the evaluation. Basically, the team looks at three elements of access:

Exits	Stairs	Corridors

Describe the findings of the access evaluation in the Inspector Comments section of the form, or on a separate attached sheet.

1. Include only factual information.


2. Avoid recommendations and speculations.

Using the information you submit, the jurisdiction decides whether hazard mitigation is needed before access can be granted.