by Meg A Wright

Created on: February 07, 2008

Are tall buildings safe? Well, actually safe is a relative word. What does safe mean to you?

Normally, I do not use a definition in an article, but "safe" is the complete point in this topic. Safe, as defined by the Webster's New World dictionary, is: 1. Free from damage, danger, ect. ; secure. and 4. unable to cause trouble or damage.

So, according to the definition of safe, building must be free from damage and danger to be safe. Is any building without danger, whether it be small or tall? Since 9/11 the most common fear of tall building was airplanes. However, accidents of airplanes flying into building were just as prevalent before the terrorist attack. Airplanes can just as well fly into a short building as a tall building. Accidents happen. Can you assure me that when you step outside today, nothing will inflict damage on you? Do you know for sure that you will be "safe" today?

What is the most common "danger" to a tall building? It is not air traffic, instead it is fire. Elevators are shut down during the fire; so this makes it much more difficult for firefighter to reach the higher floors. Firefighters carry about 100 pounds of gear, so when reaching the 15 to 20 floor, they most likely had reached their physiological limit. It takes approximately 2 minutes for a firefighter to reach the next floor, thus rescue is over 2 hours away if you are on only the 60th floor. However, sprinkler systems and alarm functions provide warnings; and fire stairways are a way of escape.

Also considered when planning a building is the normal functions of the earth. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and possibly even tornadoes can batter the tall buildings, depending on their location. Materials must be made to withstand these natural occurrences. Also consider another concern when designing a tall building. The winds up higher in the atmosphere toss the building back and forth. Weights and oscillating devices, such as used on power lines, must be constructed into the building for security.

Getting back to my original point, safe is indeed a relative word. When people think about tall building, they tend to think about the World Trade Center Towers. Although these collapsed under the strain, they did not fall because of the collision, but rather the fire weakened the steel framework. Remember, the Towers had survived a previous bombing attack in the early 90's, thus proving their structural soundness.

After the World Trade Center Towers collapsed, the Empire State building was again

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