AN OVERVIEW OF EXPOSURE RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY. A CASE STUDY OF: PHI ’’GENERAL HOSPITAL’’ STRUMICA
Nadica ANGOVA KOLEVSKA
Abstract
The assessment of earthquake risk and vulnerability of healthcare facilities, hospitals in particular, which serve as critical components of the system, requires the development of a relevant exposure model, which is actually one of the three key components that along with hazard and vulnerability model define the overall risk. It is the exposure model that describes the spatial distribution of the population and quantifies the existing building stock, providing information on the geographic distribution, structural characteristics, year of construction, ductility, number of above-ground floors and structural costs of the analyzed existing building stock in cities today.
This paper presents the development of an exposure model for PHI “General Hospital” Strumica, one of the largest hospital complexes in the southeastern part of North Macedonia. To support this research, an exposure database was created, cataloging seven existing buildings in the hospital complex using the building taxonomy developed by the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) for natural hazard risk assessment.
In addition to the building taxonomy, the structural cost of each building was included as an input attribute in the exposure model, obtained using an official template from the “Joint Stock Company for Management of State-Owned Business Permises” – Strumica. The occupant data for each hospital building, the third input attribute, was collected in situ by the author.
Considering that hospital seismic safety must be addressed separately from that of other buildings — as hospitals need to operate at full capacity and functionality during external disasters — this article highlights the methodology applied in developing the hospital exposure model, emphasizing the importance of increased awareness and preparedness among local authorities and the population for future seismic events or disasters.
Pages: 184 - 192