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Structural damage and collapse: safety guide

Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.

Structural failure occurs when load-bearing walls, roof trusses, or foundation supports fail due to heavy snow, earthquakes, water damage, or vehicle impacts.

Do this now

  1. If you hear loud creaking, popping, or snapping sounds from walls or ceilings: evacuate the building immediately.
  2. Call your local emergency number (911 in the United States, 112 in Europe, 999 in the United Kingdom).
  3. Do not re-enter a building with sagging roofs, bowed exterior walls, or severe foundation shifts.
  4. Keep clear of falling brickwork, chimneys, and overhead power lines.
  5. Wait for structural engineers or fire department building inspectors to declare the building safe.

Warning signs of impending structural collapse

  • Deep, wide diagonal cracks forming in load-bearing masonry, foundation blocks, or drywall.
  • Ceilings sagging noticeably in the center or plaster dropping in chunks.
  • Interior or exterior walls leaning, bulging, or bowing outward.
  • Floor joists slanting, bouncing, or pulling away from wall supports.
  • Windows and exterior doors suddenly jamming or binding so tightly they cannot be opened.
  • Loud, popping or groaning noises coming from roof framing during heavy snow accumulation.

What to do if trapped inside a building collapse

If a floor or ceiling collapses around you:

  • Protect your head and airway: Cover your head with your arms and pull your knees to your chest (fetal position) beside a sturdy object like a heavy sofa or steel desk.
  • Cover your mouth: Put a cloth, shirt, or handkerchief over your face to avoid breathing thick plaster and concrete dust.
  • Signal for help: Tap rhythmically on pipes, metal beams, or walls using a stone or tool so search dogs and acoustic sensors can locate you.
  • Shout only when hearing rescuers: Save your strength and air. Avoid screaming continuously to prevent inhaling dust.

... note "Building safety inspections" Local building codes mandate official structural inspections following severe fires, earthquakes, or vehicle impacts before occupancy is restored.