In recent years, the term “resilience” has become increasingly important in the construction industry. Resilience refers to a building’s ability to withstand and recover from various shocks and stresses, such as natural disasters, climate change, and social and economic disruptions. Building certification plays a vital role in promoting resilience in buildings by providing guidelines and benchmarks for sustainable and resilient construction practices.
In this article, we will explore the role of building certification in promoting resilience in buildings and how it can help communities prepare for and recover from various shocks and stresses.
What is Building Certification?
Building certification is the process of evaluating a building’s sustainability, efficiency, and environmental impact. Certification systems such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) provide guidelines and benchmarks for sustainable and efficient construction practices.
Building certification evaluates various factors such as energy and water use, waste management, materials sourcing, and indoor environmental quality. By achieving certification, buildings demonstrate that they meet or exceed the industry standards for sustainability and efficiency.
The Importance of Building Certification in Promoting Resilience
Resilience is becoming increasingly important in the construction industry, given the growing risks of natural disasters, climate change, and social and economic disruptions. Building certification can help promote resilience in buildings by providing guidelines and benchmarks for sustainable and resilient construction practices.
By incorporating resilience requirements into building certification, buildings can demonstrate that they are designed and constructed to withstand various shocks and stresses. This can help reduce the risk of property damage and loss of life in the event of a disaster or other disruptions.
Benefits of Building Certification in Promoting Resilience
Incorporating resilience requirements into building certification can bring several benefits for building owners, occupants, and the community as a whole. Some of the key benefits include:
- Improved Disaster Resilience: By designing and constructing buildings with resilience in mind, building owners can ensure that the building can withstand the impacts of natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. This can help reduce the risk of property damage and loss of life in the event of a disaster.
- Reduced Risk of Business Interruption: Buildings that are resilient to various shocks and stresses are less likely to experience business interruption in the event of a disruption. This can help reduce the economic impact of disasters and other disruptions.
- Improved Building Performance: Incorporating resilience requirements into building certification can also help improve the overall performance of buildings. For example, by ensuring that buildings are designed and constructed with energy-efficient materials and systems, building owners can reduce energy consumption and costs, as well as improve the building’s resilience to power outages.
- Positive Impact on the Community: Building certification with resilience requirements in mind can also have a positive impact on the community. By reducing the risk of property damage and loss of life in the event of a disaster or other disruptions, building owners can demonstrate their commitment to the safety and well-being of the community.
Certification Systems that Incorporate Resilience
Several building certification systems incorporate resilience requirements into their standards. These include:
- LEED: LEED provides guidelines for sustainable building design and construction. The system includes credits for features that contribute to resilience, such as the use of flood-resistant materials, the provision of emergency backup power, and the implementation of a disaster response plan.
- BREEAM: BREEAM is a sustainability rating system for buildings and infrastructure projects. The system includes specific requirements for resilience, such as the provision of flood protection measures, the use of energy-efficient materials and systems, and the implementation of a business continuity plan.