Resilience and durability

There is growing recognition that truly "green" and "high-performing" buildings must not only be resource-efficient but also durable and resilient in the face of rising natural hazards. In many cases, these goals go hand-in-hand. Following are a few resources of value to appraisers.

Examples:

• Multipane window systems reduce slow the progress of structural fires
• Closed-cell foam insulation makes roofing systems more resilient in windstorms and reduces risks of moisture damage following flooding or in high-humidity conditions
• Light and "cool" roofing materials reduce risks to life and health during heat waves
• Grid-independent solar-electric systems or on-site power storage help keep critical services functioning on following power outages
• Cisterns that maintain access to potable water following disruptions to central infrastructure
• High-performance buildings minimize potentially damaging moisture entry, and ensure good ventilation

A U.S. Department of Energy's briefing on Zero-Net Ready homes includes a nice section on how resilience (slides 143-172).

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is piloting their "Resilience STAR" program, which aims to foster improved resilience of homes and rate their success. They note that "Wherever possible, preference should be given to homes seeking both FORTIFIED and energy efficiency designations."

Resources

• FEMA resources on natural hazards and disasters
  • https://msc.fema.gov/portal
    • Flood maps (by address)
  • Resilience Star (Department of Homeland Security)
  • Institute for Business and Home Safety: "Fortified" programs and ratings for homes and businesses
• Resilient Design Institute: Integrating green, high-performance, and resilience
• Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's initiative on greening insurance for climate protection and disaster resilience
  • Insurance Services Office (ISO) Building Code Effectiveness Grading Scale

Further reading

• The Link Between Hazard Mitigation and Livability: Planning for a Sustainable Future.
• Building Energy Codes: Creating Save, Resilient, and Energy-Efficient Homes
• Climate Change, Buildings, and the Insurance Sector: Technological Synergisms between Adaptation and Mitigation