When Buildings Collapse...

[mongrel_8]

If a building was going to collapse, would a person be safer on the ground floor, the top floor, or some other floor? How much does the height of the building matter?

[Balthisar]

I guess I have the dubious honor of saying something to the effect "maybe in an adjacent building."

Sorry :-)

Actually, maybe the basement or a sub-basement may not be too dangerous (relatively speaking, obviously). Just hope they can dig you out.

[Smeghead]

Just get on the ceiling, and right before you hit ground, jump.

[HeyHomie]

I suppose that if a tall, vertical building were falling over in the same way that a domino falls, you'd be OK if you were on the ground floor. For example, if the building is falling toward the north, simply head toward the north wall. Eventually the north wall will become parallel to the ground, and you'll be standing on it when it does.

Of course, the south wall caving in on you might cause you some problems. And also anything and everything that was on the floor heading in a mad rush toward the north wall might crush you.

But we all know that buildings don't fall over the way a domino does. They usually exhibit a combination of domino falling/collapsing on themselves. As far as collapsing, you're screwed either way. If you're on the roof of the building, the impact of when the roof hits the ground will kill you. If you're anywhere below the roof, you'll be crushed.

[Ike Witt]

I thought that maybe this was the title of a new FOX show.