AN INSPECTION of 6,267 buildings nationwide after the massive earthquake on March 28 till yesterday April 4 has led to 52 of them being closed because of severe damage, Amarin TV said this afternoon (Apr. 5).
Of these 5,882 can be used normally both in Bangkok and other provinces while 342 are moderately damaged but still usable.
Of the 52 buildings shut down two are in Bangkok and 50 in various provinces.
The Centre for Reporting Buildings Damaged by the Earthquake at the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning together with the Council of Engineers, the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Building Inspectors Association and 89 private volunteer engineers inspected buildings that were reported damaged with these divided into three groups.
The first group includes public buildings where people gather such as hospitals, schools and government buildings in Bangkok with the department responsible for inspecting them.
Altogether 535 buildings of 186 agencies were inspected with 489 labelled green meaning they can be used normally, 44 buildings came in the yellow category being moderately damaged but still usable while two are in the red category.
The second group comprises highrises and extra-large buildings, condominiums, dormitories, department stores, hotels, theatres and factories with more than one floor and having over 5,000 square metres owned by the private sector.
According to the Building Control Act these buildings must be inspected every year and the owners were recommended to get inspectors who previously checked their buildings to do so again. If they are not free the department has 2,600 registered inspectors who can carry out the work for them with their names listed at the department’s website.
Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is concerned that these buildings may not be inspected according to the law and sent a letter to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to ensure that they are urgently checked.
BMA has notified owners of 11,000 buildings to get them inspected and report back quickly with 1,214 having done so.
The third group includes residential buildings, shophouses, townhouses, and general buildings in Bangkok. BMA is responsible for inspecting them and giving advice and as of yesterday 18,089 cases were reported and 16,569 inspected.
Inspections of 5,741 buildings in 76 provinces which the department carried out show that 5,393 can be used normally, 298 buildings are moderately damaged but still usable while 50 are severely damaged and suspended from use.
The department has set up a 24-hour hotline at 1531 / 02 299 4191 and 02 299 4312.
CAPTION:
Buildings damaged by the March 28 earthquake. Top photo: Amarin TV, inserted and Front Page: Thai Raht
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