Functional Continuity of Japanese Disaster Base Hospitals during Earthquakes: Focusing on the Linkages between Space and Non-structural Systems

During major earthquakes, disruptions in hospital functions are more often caused by damage to nonstructural components than by the collapse of structural components. While existing Business Continuity Plan (BCP) research has focused on the operational aspects, there is a critical need to examine the linkages between essential functions, spaces, and nonstructural components. This study analyzed Japanese disaster base hospital guidelines to identify this integrated framework. The results show that Japan categorizes hospital functions into seven hierarchical levels and systematically organizes the corresponding spaces and equipment. These findings suggest that BCP development must integrate operational planning with technical facility maintenance and identify priority spaces and systems based on their criticality for essential medical functions.