Red-tagged structure
Encyclopedia
A color-tagged structure is a structure in the United States
which has been classified by a color to represent the severity of damage or the overall condition of the building. The exact definition for each color may be different at local levels.
A "red-tagged" structure has been severely damaged to the degree that the structure is too dangerous to inhabit. Similarly, a structure is "yellow-tagged" if it has been moderately damaged to the degree that its habitability is limited (only during the day, for example). A "green-tagged" structure may mean the building is either undamaged or has suffered slight damage, although differences exist at local levels when to use a green tag.
Tagging is performed by government building officials
, or, occasionally during disasters, by engineers deputized by the building official. Natural disaster
s such as earthquake
s, flood
s and mudslides are among the most common causes of a building being red-, yellow- or green-tagged. Usually, after such incidents, the local government
body responsible for enforcing the building safety code examines the affected structures and tags them as appropriate.
In some areas of the United States, buildings are marked with a rectangular sign that is red with a white border and a white "X". Such signs provide the same information as "red-tagging" a building. Tagging structures in these ways can warn firefighter
s and others about hazardous buildings before the buildings are entered.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
which has been classified by a color to represent the severity of damage or the overall condition of the building. The exact definition for each color may be different at local levels.
A "red-tagged" structure has been severely damaged to the degree that the structure is too dangerous to inhabit. Similarly, a structure is "yellow-tagged" if it has been moderately damaged to the degree that its habitability is limited (only during the day, for example). A "green-tagged" structure may mean the building is either undamaged or has suffered slight damage, although differences exist at local levels when to use a green tag.
Tagging is performed by government building officials
Building officials
Building officials of developed countries are generally are the jurisdictional administrator of building and construction codes, engineering calculation supervision, permits, facilities management, and accepted construction procedures.-Qualifications:...
, or, occasionally during disasters, by engineers deputized by the building official. Natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
s such as earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
s, flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s and mudslides are among the most common causes of a building being red-, yellow- or green-tagged. Usually, after such incidents, the local government
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
body responsible for enforcing the building safety code examines the affected structures and tags them as appropriate.
In some areas of the United States, buildings are marked with a rectangular sign that is red with a white border and a white "X". Such signs provide the same information as "red-tagging" a building. Tagging structures in these ways can warn firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s and others about hazardous buildings before the buildings are entered.