The California Office of the State Architect, Structural Safety Division (OSA/SSS) is responsible for evaluating public school structures after an earthquake. However, final authority on whether a building should be reoccupied after damage lies with the school district. This guidebook is designed to help school officials assess earthquake damage before a qualified engineer arrives at the site and report building conditions to OAS/SSS to assist in establishing a priority list for site visits by structural engineers. School personnel and inspectors must be careful when entering a damaged building after an earthquake and should only do so in teams of two. The first step to inspecting a building after an earthquake is surveying the building from the outside. Second, the surroundings of the school or facility should be checked for geotechnical hazards such as cracks or bulges in the ground or hillsides. The third step is inspecting the structural system of a building from the inside if possible. Nonstructural as well as structural hazards should be noted. The need for locking or barricading the building should also be determined. Finally, notification of authorities should be carried out. (JPT)