Chiba torrential rain: Pump stations and machine rooms flooded. Is it really okay to keep assuming that 'equipment belongs in the basement'?
This morning, August 16th.
While looking at news related to construction and real estate,
what really caught my attention was,
that the 'machinery' in buildings and infrastructure was damaged by water during the Chiba torrential rain.
Chiba Prefecture experienced record-breaking heavy rain from the 13th to the 14th,
and in Chiba City, the 24-hour rainfallexceeded 360 millimeters, setting a new record for the highest ever observed.
That is more than three times the average monthly rainfall for August.
When it rains this much,
roads get flooded.
rivers overflow.
water enters homes.
Naturally, one imagines such damage.
But as someone in the equipment industry, what concerned me even more was,
that the water reached the 'heart' of buildings and facilities.
Sewage pumps were flooded one after another and stopped.
Looking at the fourth report from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as of 10:00 AM on August 15th,
the Ochi Pump Station in Chiba City.
The Domiki Pump Station in Mobara City.
And manhole pumps in Sakura City.
The Yachiyo Pump Station in the Inba-numa basin.
Such sewage facilities have been
rendered non-functional due to flooding.
While some facilities have undergone emergency repairs, others are still relying on temporary pumps and vacuum trucks to transport water.
Furthermore,
at Chiba Prefectural Futtsu Park,the pool pumps were flooded.
At Hasunuma Seaside Park,the machine room was flooded.
Both have been closed to the public.
This,
really made me think.
Water, in the end, goes to the 'lowest point,' doesn't it?
It's obvious, but,
water flows from high places to low places.
That's why in buildings,
basements,
underground pits,
underground machine rooms,
and underground parking lots,
these kinds of places,
are quite troublesome once water gets in.
However, in buildings,
Power receiving and transforming equipment.
Pumps.
Control panels.
Machine rooms.
It is not uncommon for important equipment to be located in the basement.
Usually, it doesn't get in the way.
There are also noise issues.
It is also easier to install piping.
I think there are various reasons for this.
But,
once flooded, 'equipment that is usually inconspicuous' has the potential to shut down the entire building.
That is the point.
In the past, basement electrical equipment in apartment buildings has been submerged, causing elevators and water supply to stop.
This is not just a story about the recent Chiba torrential rain.
During the 2019 East Japan Typhoon,
high-voltage power receiving and transforming equipment located in the basement of a high-rise apartment building was flooded.
Due to the power outage,
damage occurred where elevators and water supply facilities became unusable for a certain period of time.
This actually happened.
For this reason, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
have even created guidelines for condominiums, office buildings, hospitals, and the like,
the 'Guidelines for Flood Protection of Electrical Equipment in Buildings'.
In other words,
the government has also long since
recognized the problem that 'underground equipment is vulnerable to water.'
I think this is what 'regret comes too late' means.
I think this is what 'regret comes too late' means.
There is an old saying,
'regret comes too late.'
It is often said.
Once something happens,
it is too late to think,
'I should have done it back then.'
I think building disaster prevention
is exactly this.
Once the water gets in,
'I should have placed this control panel a little higher,'
'I should have installed a flood barrier,'
'I never thought water would enter from this entrance.'
Even if you think so,
it is too late after the equipment has been submerged in water.
Therefore,
we must think about it when no disaster is occurring.
I believe this is what disaster prevention is all about.
Isn't it time for developers to sell not just 'price per tsubo,' but 'buildings that don't stop'?
When real estate companies and developers build structures from now on,
I think,
minutes from the station.
Rent.
View.
Design.
Energy efficiency.
Just as much as these things,
whether it can maintain its functions even if a disaster occurs
will become a value.
For example,
where to place critical electrical equipment.
How to prevent water from entering the machine room.
What to do about emergency power supplies.
What do you do if one pump stops?
When water enters the basement, how much should we protect?
This is something that,
often cannot be easily changed after completion.
That is why the initial design is so important.
General contractors and subcontractors will no longer be able to just say, 'We installed it according to the drawings.'
Of course,
the basic role of a construction company is to build what has been designed.
But from now on,
on-site,
'Isn't it a problem if water comes here?'
'Is this control panel okay at this height?'
'Won't water get in through this pipe penetration?'
Such insights,
I think will become increasingly important.
General contractors.
Electrical subcontractors.
Mechanical subcontractors.
Specialized construction companies.
Each has a different position, but
There are some things you only notice because you are on-site.
I believe that
just following the blueprints without thinking because that's what's written is not enough
is not the right approach.
Of course, you shouldn't change things on your own.
If you notice something,
you should properly consult with your superiors.
I think that is the value of being on-site.
Fire protection equipment is not unrelated to flood damage either.
As a fire protection equipment specialist,
this is not someone else's problem.
Fire pumps.
Control panels.
Emergency power supplies.
Alarm systems.
Piping.
The equipment configuration varies depending on the building,
but many fire protection systems also use electricity.
Moreover,
you cannot just think about fires alone.
Earthquakes.
Flooding.
Power outages.
When multiple things happen at once,
will the equipment really work?
I,
think we should consider things to that extent.
Have building management companies even decided 'what to shut down when water comes in'?
After completion,
it becomes the job of the building management company.
And I,
believe that it is precisely during disasters like this,
that the strength of a management company shows.
An alarm was issued.
Rainfall increased.
There is a possibility of water entering the basement.
At that time,
who makes the decision?
Where do they check?
Which equipment do they shut down?
Who is responsible for deploying the flood barriers?
Who is responsible for contacting the tenants?
Do you know the emergency contact information for the construction company?
It is too late to start a meeting after the water has already entered.
This is the honest truth.
Real estate companies are already obligated to explain flood risks.
In fact, even in real estate transactions,
flood damage has already become critical information.
Real estate agents are,
during the explanation of important matters for sales and rentals,
required to present flood hazard maps based on the Flood Control Act,
and are obligated to explain where the subject property is located.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism,
even if a property is outside the assumed inundation area on a hazard map,
requires that care be taken not to mislead people into thinking there is 'no flood risk'.
I believe this is extremely important.
I think this point,
is very important.
'It's outside the hazard map, so it's safe' is not true.
Looking at the map is important.
You should definitely take a look.
However,
looking at a map,
and seeing no color coding,
thinking 'well, I guess it's safe'
is also a scary way to end it.
Torrential rain,
doesn't fall the same way every time.
The capacity of drainage facilities.
Topography.
Roads.
Entrances to buildings.
Surrounding development.
There are various conditions.
That is why,
a map is not the answer, but material for consideration.
I think that's the level at which you should view it.
From now on, it would be fine if 'buildings that invested in disaster prevention' were valued.
When it comes to real estate,
it's easy to understand when you spend money on things that are visible.
A magnificent entrance.
A stylish lounge.
High-end interior design.
I don't dislike it either.
But,
Flood barriers.
The location of power receiving and transforming equipment.
Emergency power supply.
Drainage equipment.
Waterproofing.
Things like these,
almost no one ever looks at them.
That is why,
I suspect they are often the first places where budgets get cut.
However,
on days with heavy rain,
a pump that doesn't stop becomes more important than a stylish lobby.
It might be a bit extreme, but
I truly believe that is the case.
It is also a major issue for building owners who think, 'If it breaks, I'll just fix it with insurance.'
Get insurance.
Of course, that is important.
But,
if the equipment stops,
you might not be able to use the building until it is fixed.
If it's a hotel, you can't operate.
If it's a store, sales stop.
If it's an office, it affects the tenants' work.
If it's an apartment building, the residents' lives come to a halt.
That is why,
it's not just about the repair costs,
the downtime of the building itself is a loss
isn't it?
I think this is something developers and building owners alike
should think about more.
And equipment renovation is cheaper when nothing has happened yet.
This,
from our perspective as construction workers, is obvious,
but it is much harder to fix things after they have broken.
Emergency.
At night.
On holidays.
Rushing to procure materials.
Temporary measures.
Construction while tenants are operating.
All of these make conditions worse.
In that case,
replace aging equipment
systematically.
Prioritize flood prevention measures.
Check before the heavy rain arrives.
Doing it when nothing has happened yet is often cheaper in the end.
I truly believe this is the case.
In this recent torrential rain, even roads and railways have come to a halt.
According to the latest report from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism,
on the Chiba-Togane Road and the Ken-O Expressway,
slope collapses have causedroad closures in 12 sections.
Facility damage such as ballast washout and sediment inflow has also been confirmed on the Sotobo Line, Togane Line, and Kominato Railway.
Delivery delays and suspensions are also occurring for courier services.
In other words,
Even if the building itself is safe,
if the roads are blocked, materials won't arrive.
Employees cannot come to work.
Contractors cannot reach the site either.
For construction and building management,
you can't just think about what's inside the building, can you?
'Regret comes too late.' However, disaster prevention can be done before you have regrets.
During the Chiba torrential rain,
pump stations,
manhole pumps,
park machine rooms,
public housing,
roads,
and railways
all saw flooding and damage confirmed in various places.
If we look at this,
and just say,
'That was terrible,'
we might just repeat the same thing in the next disaster.
Regret comes too late.
It is an old saying, but
I think there is nothing to which this saying applies more than disaster prevention.
When I run a company, too,
spending money that doesn't need to be used right now,
for the sake of the future, takes quite a bit of courage.
It's not broken yet.
It's still usable.
If so, maybe next year is fine.
I think that.
I think that normally, too.
But,
the day after it breaks,
"I should have done it last year"
is what I think.
Buildings and companies are the same.
Spend a little money ahead of time before problems occur.
Developers.
General contractors.
Subcontractors.
Building management companies.
The owner.
And us, the specialized construction companies.
Each of us,
should not just stop at 'the scope of my own work',
but think a little further ahead.
Buildings like that,
I believe, end up being used longer,
and retain their value better.
Seeing the Chiba torrential rain this time,
I thought so once again.
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