The National Institute of Standards and Technology recently submitted a report to Congress outlining steps to improve building functionality after natural disasters.
The report fills a request by Congress for “immediate occupancy (IO)” building codes and performance standards strategies to make more buildings more resilient to a wide variety of hazards. Existing standards and codes focus on reducing the likelihood of significant building damage or collapse, but do not typically address the need to preserve quality of life by keeping buildings habitable and functioning as normally as possible, a NIST official says.
Some of the obstacles to making buildings more functionally resilient after a natural disaster include:
— Convincing communities to invest in IO standards in advance of the event
— Clarifying the costs and benefits
— Influencing and incentivizing private owners to make the necessary investments in their buildings
— Determining special implementation procedures for public buildings since some do not have to comply with local codes
— Dealing with the old structures that tend to house the most at-risk populations
— Determining who is liable for building performance
— Encouraging collaboration in standards development
The report says that “increasing the performance goals for buildings would not be easily achieved, but the advantages may be substantial” and making them a reality “would entail a significant shift in practice for development, construction, and maintenance or retrofit of buildings.”
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2021
Workers on some of Virginia’s major construction projects sue subcontractors for wage theft
Projects include new General Assembly Building, outpatient facility at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
EPA finalizes first major update to Lead and Copper rule
Will accelerate pace of lead service line replacement.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
Flood risk for affordable housing expected to triple by 2050
Some communities will have 90% of their affordable housing at risk.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2021
Ranks of remote workers expected to double in five years
Nearly 23% of employees will work from outside of offices.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
CSI and ASTM standards can now be connected through a central location
CROSSWALK web service accesses standards specific to projects from feasibility to turnover.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
Dept. of Energy offers Better Buildings Field Validation Results Hub
One-stop-shop for information associated with technology validations in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
2021 Defense Authorization Act includes mass timber provision
Directs defense, agriculture secretaries to review potential for wood frame construction on defense building projects.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
New York City proposal would require rainwater detention tanks for new development
Rule would apply to projects on lots sized 20,000 sf or larger.
Codes and Standards | Dec 17, 2020
Energy efficiency as a service gaining ground as financing approach for adopting innovations
Building owners can invest in new technology with no upfront cost.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2020
Resources available to address Legionella threat
Buildings reopened after extended pandemic closure are at risk.