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Topic: Earthquake!!

Sally Ann Burgess
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 120
From: Queenstown, New Zealand
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 07-17-2009 10:59 PM

Just wondering what your policies were on what to do if these happen at your cinema. Just that we had a rather big quake here recently (7.8) and I wasn't working that night, but the staff evacuated the cinema. Some of the patrons had started coming out anyway.
I would not have evacuated as I thought the safest place to be was inside?
What would you do as I'm curious to know!!

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 07-17-2009 11:48 PM

Geez! 7.8 is a pretty severe trembler. Hope no one was hurt.

Offhand I would think the earthquake safety precautions would depend on the type of building sheltering the customers as well as the types of buildings outside. Falling brick, glass and other objects are very hazardous.

Many movie theaters are built with sand filled cinder block walls. Unless the walls are reinforced with some sort of steel frame they can come down in an earthquake very easily.

Unfortunately there is next to nothing in terms of warning time before an earthquake strikes. If I was in a movie theater when an earthquake occurred I would be trying to hide under the chairs and do what I can to protect myself from any falling debris.

Our main concern here in Oklahoma is tornadoes and severe straight line winds from other severe thunderstorms. Surprisingly we do get earthquakes too. They're rare and not usually serious. The Wichita Mountains has a number of fault lines running through it. Every couple years or so an earthquake in the 2.0 to 3.0 range hits. Most residents confuse the quakes for artillery exercises on Fort Sill. The Meers Store (great hamburgers) in the Wichita Mountains has its own seismograph. It's been in service for decades.

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Tony Bandiera Jr
Film God

Posts: 3067
From: Moreland Idaho
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 07-18-2009 12:01 AM

Generally speaking, here in So Cali. theatres seem to not have any established "policy" for when an earthquake hits.

When the 4.8 quake struck Hawthorne last month, it was reported that the AMC Theatre in a neighboring town lost some ceiling tiles. They then evacuated the complex.

When I ran the Grande 4-plex in Downtown L.A. my official policy for earthquakes was to stop all the shows, raise the house lights and clear the auditoriums until they could be checked for loose tiles, etc. The corridor to the auditoriums and the lobby were the "safe spots" as they were of reinforced concrete. We did not allow anyone to go outside in case any glass fell from the upper stories.

Each theatre could seat a max of 198 people and we rarely if ever had more than 350 people between all four houses for any given show.

As Bobby noted, it will depend greatly on the construction of the building and what additional hazards may exist outside.

Outdoor hazards include brick/cinderblock or glass walls, power lines (BIG hazard in a quake, stay well away from them), any awnings or overhangs, or marquees or towers attached to or near the building.

Unless the ceiling is coming down inside, it's best to stay inside and then evacuate with caution afterwards. Be aware of the outdoor hazards though and be ready for aftershocks.

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Sean Weitzel
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 619
From: Vacaville, CA (1790 miles west of Rockwall)
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 07-18-2009 12:07 AM

Back in November of 1992, some friends and I were watching Aladdin at the Century 22 in San Jose. We had an earthquake in the mid 5's right when the Sultan went onto the magic carpet and flew around the room. The film kept playing, some people rose to their feet and paused trying to contemplate what to do. Others in the back yelled at those standing to sit down or get out of the way. I personally went to the lobby and called my folks on the pay phone to tell them I was ok (I was in high school at the time and knew they would expect me to call). After the call, I went back into the auditorium and we finished watching the movie.

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Sally Ann Burgess
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 120
From: Queenstown, New Zealand
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 07-18-2009 05:09 AM

Thanks for the input fellas. And no, no-one was hurt fortunately. We are experiencing aftershocks though I personally haven't felt any myself.
I guess you can't stop people wanting to leave if they really want to but I checked an earthquake safety website here that said anyone going outside should cover their heads in case of falling roof tiles.
I don't actually know about the construction of the building, but I'll be asking the council about that when I get back to work...

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