This systemic approach also addresses basic human needs, including reliable access to clean water, safe air, lighting, heating and cooling, healthcare, and food. Resilient design principles prioritize adaptability, sustainability, and social equity for solutions that function for both the short- and long-term.
In the construction industry, resilient design factors in material selection, assembly testing for air and water leakage, building information modeling (BIM), and integrative systems. All this requires coordination of the owner, architect, and contractor to reap the full benefits. The key advantages of applying resiliency concepts are:
- Extended service life of the building and reduced maintenance costs by effectively resisting hurricane- and tornado-force wind and airborne debris.
- Increased occupant safety.
- Continuous business operations.
- Decreased recovery time for individuals, families, and communities.
Designing and constructing to these higher standards and beyond building codes does come with increased financial investment. However, a benefit-cost analysis produced by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)—based on a 100-year project life—estimates mitigation measures save up to $13 per dollar invested.2
Storm shelters and safe rooms to protect residents and occupants
A storm shelter or safe room is a hardened structure designed to provide near-absolute protection during extreme weather events, so at least a designated portion of the building will not collapse or be damaged from wind-borne debris. In areas prone to hurricanes and tornadoes, storm shelters can be a fast, effective way to shield vulnerable communities until larger infrastructure can be retrofitted or replaced with more resilient features.
In 2008, the International Code Council (ICC) and National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) first developed the ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, also known as ICC 500.3 This outlines proper design, construction, and inspection of residential and community storm shelters, including considerations such as building materials, structural testing, occupant density, ventilation, and signage.
A residential safe room can be built within a home or as a stand-alone structure adjacent to a residence to accommodate no more than 16 individuals. A community storm shelter, on the other hand, is a reinforced building or portion of a building intended to hold anywhere from 16 to several hundred people.
