I mean, if we have all the construction going right now, I'm sure the building codes must be strict as far as earthquake proofing (if there is such a thing) is to be considered. In my country, buildings have what they call a rolling foundation, where the base of the buildings are sort of hinged on large "springs" that roll the buildings' bottoms counter-acting the direction of the earthquake. So although it shakes left to right stronger as you are in higher floors, the building itself is intact and won't crumble down in a piled up "pancake" style rubble.
Furthermore, with the "competition" of buildings here in the ME for height, it scares me to think that with all the expensive prices these buildings have, I hope that they have considered safety not only from earthquakes but from fire as well.
Scarlett is right in observing that there are mostly no roof fire escape or what they call "rescue floors" when a fire an earthquake occurs. In Hong Kong, buildings are easily reaching 65 floors and yet you can see that there is a proper fire and evac plan which includes a whole floor where people can converge coming from the upper floors and with safety gear in place, they can be assisted safely down or up (via helicopter) on the roof.
One building that gives me the creeps whenever I see it is the "zig-zag" building near Ritz. I'm just afraid that a 4 or 5 scale earthquake might "zig-zag" it down.
I don't mean to scare people who invested in it. But seriously, wouldn't you think twice if you saw it and have gone through an earthquake experience before? I hope the building owners/developers educate the investors of that building as to its safety capabilities so as to give everyone a peace of mind.
I mean, if we have all the construction going right now, I'm sure the building codes must be strict as far as earthquake proofing (if there is such a thing) is to be considered. In my country, buildings have what they call a rolling foundation, where the base of the buildings are sort of hinged on large "springs" that roll the buildings' bottoms counter-acting the direction of the earthquake. So although it shakes left to right stronger as you are in higher floors, the building itself is intact and won't crumble down in a piled up "pancake" style rubble.
Furthermore, with the "competition" of buildings here in the ME for height, it scares me to think that with all the expensive prices these buildings have, I hope that they have considered safety not only from earthquakes but from fire as well.
Scarlett is right in observing that there are mostly no roof fire escape or what they call "rescue floors" when a fire an earthquake occurs. In Hong Kong, buildings are easily reaching 65 floors and yet you can see that there is a proper fire and evac plan which includes a whole floor where people can converge coming from the upper floors and with safety gear in place, they can be assisted safely down or up (via helicopter) on the roof.
One building that gives me the creeps whenever I see it is the "zig-zag" building near Ritz. I'm just afraid that a 4 or 5 scale earthquake might "zig-zag" it down.
I don't mean to scare people who invested in it. But seriously, wouldn't you think twice if you saw it and have gone through an earthquake experience before? I hope the building owners/developers educate the investors of that building as to its safety capabilities so as to give everyone a peace of mind.