The likelihood of a structural collapse on the UA campus is minimal thanks to rigorous inspections by teams of engineers, enhanced and durable structural systems, and ongoing mitigation efforts that focus on potential precipitating events.
“The age of many of our campus buildings presents a number of challenges,” said Paul Wuebold, Associate Vice President of Facilities and Grounds. “However, the actions our facilities department takes ensures our program spaces are in the safest condition possible for our students, faculty and staff.”
Structural collapses can result from fires, explosions, earthquakes, construction activities or failures, or severe weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes or flooding.
UA Facilities inspects buildings and has a maintenance plan to address potential structural issues.
“With routine preventative maintenance, our focus is on addressing concerns before they become significant problems,” Wuebold said. “Our department technicians have the skill and expertise to provide assurances that repairs will be made when needed and our buildings will be safe.”
Should you ever find yourself in or near a structural collapse, you should:
- Evacuate the building immediately through the nearest exit and escape to a safe distance.
- Call 911 or contact UAPD at 205-348-5454 as soon as possible.
- Once you are safely away from the structure, relay pertinent information to emergency personnel who arrive on the scene.
- Do not go back inside the building.
If you suspect a structural issue with any buildings on campus, contact the UA Facilities Customer Service Center at 205-348-6001.
Safety Reminder: UA Alert System Test
The University will test its emergency notification systems, including UA Alerts, the public address system and digital signage Wednesday, Apr. 3 at 11:55 a.m.