The Getty Center’s Design Protects Against Wildfires
The Getty Center, situated in Brentwood, draws 1.8 million visitors annually and houses hundreds of centuries-old art pieces from renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Monet. As of Saturday, the center was included in a mandatory evacuation zone as a result of the Palisades Fire expansion into Brentwood, but the center insists its campus is the “safest place possible” for its massive art collection.
A Marvel of Anti-Fire Engineering
The Getty Center is a marvel of anti-fire engineering. Both indoors and outdoors, its materials, design, construction, operations, and controls are purpose-built for safety. The center’s buildings are made of fire-resistant stone, concrete, and protected steel, while its campus is surrounded by travertine plazas and well-irrigated landscaping designed to slow down the spread of fire.
Fire-Resistant Landscaping
Fire-resistant landscaping spans the Getty campus and the surrounding land. This includes drought-resistant plants and oak trees, whose canopies are regularly pruned to prevent them from becoming fuel for fire. The center’s design ensures that even if a fire were to spread to the surrounding area, it would be slowed down and contained.
Interior Fire Protection
The interior of the Getty Center is also equipped with reinforced concrete walls with fire-protected steel and automatic fire doors that can trap fires in sealed-off areas. The air conditioning system is designed to maintain a pressure flow to keep outside smoke out, ensuring that the interior remains safe and secure.
No Need to Evacuate the Art
The Getty Center has issued a statement reassuring visitors and staff that there is no need to evacuate the art or archives. The center’s design and construction ensure that the art collection is already in the safest place possible. “There is no need to evacuate the art or archives, because they are already in the safest place possible: the Getty Center itself,” the center said in a statement.
Conclusion
The Getty Center’s design and construction provide a safe and secure environment for its priceless art collection. While the surrounding area is under a mandatory evacuation zone, the center remains confident in its ability to protect its art and archives. The center’s commitment to safety and security is evident in every aspect of its design, from the fire-resistant materials used in its buildings to the well-maintained landscaping and interior fire protection systems.
FAQs
* Q: Is the Getty Center under a mandatory evacuation zone?
A: As of Saturday, the Getty Center is under a mandatory evacuation zone due to the Palisades Fire expansion into Brentwood.
* Q: Is there a need to evacuate the art or archives?
A: No, according to the Getty Center, there is no need to evacuate the art or archives as they are already in the safest place possible: the Getty Center itself.
* Q: What measures does the Getty Center take to protect against wildfires?
A: The Getty Center is designed with fire-resistant materials, fire-resistant landscaping, and interior fire protection systems to ensure the safety of its art collection and visitors.
