The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released new resources to support employers, public officials, and design professionals with re-occupying buildings more safely after COVID-19 shutdowns.
The initiative included a team of architects, public health experts, engineers, and facility managers who developed strategies to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in buildings, promote social distancing standards, and “enhance wellbeing in communities transitioning to new lifestyle norms.” The new and enhanced tools can assist employers, building owners, and design teams with best practices to protect the health and safety of the public.
· A Risk Management Plan for Buildings provides a process for assessing hazards in buildings and reducing risk. “This methodology not only can be applied during the pandemic, but for all shocks and stresses to create more resilient buildings and businesses,” an AIA press release says.
· AIA Re-occupancy Assessment Tool (2.0) provides an enhanced framework of strategies for re-opening buildings, including restaurants, retailers, offices, senior living facilities, schools, and housing
· COVID-19 ArchMap allows architects to input design strategies that mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission for any building type. The map is produced in partnership with the University of Kansas’ Institute of Health + Wellness Design and intended to facilitate design innovation.
The team will also release more detailed strategies and considerations for offices, retailers, schools, and senior living facilities “in the near future.”
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2017
Flawed modeling to blame for green buildings failure to live up to hype on energy efficiency
Explains energy performance gap from expected savings to actual savings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 5, 2017
Research study examines tall timber buildings worldwide
Industry group developing criteria for categorizing wide range of construction approaches to tall timber buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2017
AAMA releases new document on aluminum fenestration and energy efficiency
The free download addresses entrances, storefront framing, curtain walls, windows and skylight fenestration systems.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2017
Fire codes prevent cladding used on Grenfell Tower from being used in U.S.
Reports suggest an extra $6,300 for fire-resistant cladding could have prevented the tragedy.
Codes and Standards | Jun 28, 2017
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, Standards ASCE/SEI 7-16, has been updated
The document is used for determining design loads including dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, wind, and fire.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2017
Cold-formed steel framing engineering guide for building projects released
Better sound attenuation for subfloors and exterior continuous insulation are among the matters addressed.
Codes and Standards | Jun 26, 2017
L.A.’s new ordinance requires energy and water efficiency benchmarking
Structures 20,000 sf and larger must demonstrate steps to boost efficiency.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
World Green Building Council: All buildings must be net zero by 2050 to avert 2°C rise
Building efficiency essential to tempering global climate change.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
Senate bill would prohibit tax money for sports stadium projects
Bipartisan legislation would prevent use of municipal bonds by pro teams.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2017
Developer, architect hit with $10 million construction defect verdict
Case pertained to construction of condo development that was not fire code-compliant.