Healthcare facilities are strategic buildings for civil services and play a key role in the emergency response chain after an earthquake. When a seismic event strikes a large and densely populated area, it can compromise the functionality of multiple healthcare facilities simultaneously. For this reason, it is not enough for a single hospital to remain operational; it is essential to ensure that the entire hospital network in the area can withstand the impact and effectively respond to the sudden increase in demand for care.
Why do many hospitals in Italy still face seismic risks?
In Italy, many hospitals are still not adequately protected against seismic risk. This lack of protection can be attributed to several factors, such as the fact that some healthcare facilities were built before the introduction of modern seismic regulations, or due to the lengthy timeframes and significant resources required for seismic retrofitting. Despite this, current regulations do not establish sufficiently precise criteria regarding the seismic design and assessment of hospitals.
Discover what Italian regulations provide in the article: Hospital safety – what the law says
Considering the structural vulnerability of many healthcare facilities in Italy and the absence of clear regulations, it is crucial to plan seismic prevention measures grounded in seismic risk assessment and available funding.
What history teaches us: the vulnerability of hospitals
In the past, several seismic emergencies have occurred, highlighting the need to adopt an innovative emergency plan that prevents structural damage to buildings and the interruption of healthcare services. Some examples include:
- The Irpinia and Basilicata earthquake on November 23, 1980, struck the Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi hospital, which was built according to the seismic regulations of the time but still suffered a collapse. Several other nearby hospitals also experienced significant structural and system damage. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9 (X degree on the Mercalli scale) with its epicenter in southern Irpinia, between Teora, Castelnuovo di Conza, and Conza della Campania. This seismic event caused approximately 280,000 displaced people, 10,000 injured, and 3,000 deaths.
- L’Aquila’s earthquake on April 6, 2009, affected the San Salvatore Hospital (500 beds) and other healthcare facilities in the area. The damaged hospital had a reinforced concrete structure and was designed for a seismic zone classified as category two, characterized by buildings of 3 to 5 stories connected by an elevated walkway. The earthquake caused 1,500 injuries, displaced 40,000 people, and resulted in approximately 300 deaths, with a magnitude of 6.3. There was extensive structural and non-structural damage; only one building was declared safe for use, three were deemed unusable, and the remaining ten underwent renovation. The emergency forced the evacuation of the entire hospital, leading to the interruption of healthcare services.
- The Emilia earthquake sequence on May 20 and 29, 2012, affected the hospitals of Carpi, Mirandola, and Finale Emilia. The magnitude was 5.8 on the first day and 5.9 on the last. The hospitals suffered both structural and non-structural damage, resulting in 27 casualties. Specifically, the Santa Maria Bianca Hospital in Mirandola (200 beds) and the Ramazzini Hospital in Carpi (280 beds) were hit, evacuated, and remained inactive for several months. The facilities sustained various damages to partitions, external cladding, and interior walls. Additionally, technical issues arose in adjacent buildings, air conditioning systems, and medical equipment.
These events highlight the high vulnerability of hospital facilities. Even when structural damage is limited, non-structural components—such as medical equipment and utility systems—often suffer serious failures. The absence of preventive measures has prevented these infrastructures from minimizing damage, leading to fatalities inside the buildings, structural degradation, and disruption of medical services.
The new frontiers of seismic technology: reducing environmental impact
Technological innovation plays a key role in improving the seismic safety of hospitals and care facilities — a crucial element that can no longer be overlooked. Next-generation seismic protection technologies have evolved to safeguard both buildings and the people inside them, through active and smart systems. Investing in these solutions is a true prevention strategy, helping to reduce time, costs, and damage.
Another key value that must be prioritized in today’s world is sustainability — by investing in seismic protection approaches that significantly reduce environmental impact, especially in terms of resource consumption. One effective strategy is to upgrade and improve the seismic resilience of existing buildings, rather than constructing new ones from scratch. This requires a deep understanding of the structural characteristics and vulnerabilities of healthcare facilities, along with the adoption of innovative technologies and advanced materials that can extend their lifespan. It is therefore essential to embrace new forms of seismic prevention that are active, digital, and sustainable.
ISAAC antisismica: an innovative and sustainable technology
To effectively address the seismic risk of healthcare facilities and meet their strategic needs, adopting advanced technological solutions like those developed by ISAAC is an ideal choice. Its Active Mass Damper (AMD) system is designed to dynamically protect buildings from earthquakes. This technology stands out for its versatility, non-invasiveness, and sustainability—key features for the seismic protection of healthcare structures, which must remain operational even during emergencies.
The goal of the AMD system is to counteract the building’s motion using movable masses driven by electric motors, which dampen seismic vibrations and reduce structural oscillations.
Thanks to cutting-edge innovation, ISAAC’s solutions have a positive impact and actively promote structural safety and the well-being of communities.
