Eight CPP buildings pose a “serious” or “severe” risk to life in the event of an earthquake

By: Victoria Mijikanos, November 12, 2024

Many buildings on campus have a seismic rating indicating either severe or life-threatening, according to the California State University Seismic Requirements Report.

If a large-scale earthquake strikes Cal Poly Pomona, it is very likely that students, faculty, and staff in the CLA Building, the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (Building 5) and the Kellogg West Conference Center would suffer severe damage. Serious injuries, according to the 2024 report, which examines what is needed across the CSU system for buildings to be safe. The report also provides a description of each earthquake classification.

A total of eight other buildings, including the University Library, School of Environmental Design (Building 7), Administration Building (Building 1), Faculty of Science (Building 8), and Campus Center (Building 97), where the market was included in the CSU Five-Year Plan It will be rebuilt and upgraded to meet California building code requirements, especially seismic safety requirements

To modernize and renovate these buildings, CPP will invest approximately $643 million between 2025 and 2029, according to figures in the five-year report. There are other improvements and additions that will be made to the campus that will come at an additional cost.

According to the five-year plan, funding for each of these renovations will come from system-wide revenue bonds. Systemwide revenue bonds provide funding for the construction project on CSU's campuses and pool from multiple revenue sources across all 23 campuses to help fund projects such as health facilities, parking, and student unions. The only seismic project not funded from this source is Kellogg West, which will be funded by the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc.

Earthquakes are a unique experience in California. Residents grow up in fear of the big event, and many have lived through major events that changed the way infrastructure is viewed in the state. According to the report, Cal Poly Pomona is fouled by San Jose. The probable magnitude of an earthquake that could occur on this fault is 6.0-6.5. The last earthquake was in 1990, and its magnitude was 5.4. The probable magnitude of an earthquake that could occur on this fault is 6.0-6.5. The last earthquake was in 1990, and its magnitude was 5.4.

The remainder of the CLA building, built in 1993, has a seismic rating of 6.0, according to CSU's five-year plan that details which buildings need repair and why. A rating of 6.0 indicates a severe risk to life and a 40% to 100% chance of property damage. There are also mechanical issues and “deficiencies in the building envelope, requiring major renovation and remediation.”

A timeline for seismic repairs expected from 2025-2028. The reforms in the five-year plan are from 2025-2029. | Drawing by Victoria Mejicanos

The Kellogg West Convention Center, built in 1973, has the same seismic rating and damage threat, but according to the report, the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Inc. Funding for this endeavor. Other buildings with seismic problems will be repaired using state funds.

Building No. 5 has a seismic rating of 5.0, indicating a serious danger to life, and damage will be between 20%-50%.

According to the California State University Seismic Requirements Report, a severe or hazardous condition rating “is a subjective measure of the risk of life-threatening injury or death that would be expected to occur in an average building at each classification level in accordance with the indicated technical requirements.”

Part of the plan also includes the demolition of the empty student housing buildings Palmitas Hall (Building 57), Cedritos Hall (Building 58), and Los Olivos Commons (Building 70) since these structures also do not meet earthquake safety requirements.

Many of the buildings will not only be seismically reconstructed, but will feature system and code upgrades to improve their quality and safety.

For example, in an administration building, changes would include refurbishing electrical appliances, HVAC, plumbing, fire/safety, interior and exterior systems, and updating code. In addition, hazardous materials will be eliminated, existing roof and window systems replaced, upgraded to energy-efficient lighting and a new accessible elevator installed.

Despite these obvious seismic concerns, civil engineering professor Giuseppe Lomento said CPP would likely be fine in the event of a major earthquake because the campus does not lie on the San Andreas Fault.

“The big, big earthquake is not going to be in this area,” Lomento said. “So, if there was a big earthquake on the San Andreas Fault, the problems we would have are communications. We would lose power, but we wouldn't see a collapse on these buildings because they would be far away and we wouldn't experience a lot of vibration.”

Theater student Ivy Brooke said she had no concerns about the safety of the buildings but agreed upgrades could be made to infrastructure to modernize classrooms.

“With the current situation, especially the mobile classrooms, I go in and feel like I'm back in high school, which honestly sucks,” Brock said.

Geology professor Nick Van Boer explained how students can prepare for an actual earthquake.

“Plan on making an earthquake kit,” Van Boer said. “It's good to have one where you live or if you come here by car. A little water, some power bars, and something that won't spoil quickly. Plus a flashlight, a first aid kit, and a radio that can work in case all the cell towers go down and you can't get the news.” By swiping on your phone.

Although rare, it can be nerve-racking if a person is aware of the seismic safety of the building, Van Boer admitted. He even feels the tension in his office in Building 8, which he just moved to from Building 4. Built in 1976, Building 8 is scheduled to undergo seismic modifications as well as repairs to come up to code.

“I got a better view from this building, but here's a calculated risk,” Van Boer said. “I take the view that there is a slightly higher risk of serious damage to the buildings.”

Featured image courtesy of Brian Belmont

Isaac Cox and Nicholas Lira, staff writers at The Poly Post, contributed to this article.

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