SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Resilience and Site

Topic

Climate Planning and Vulnerabilities

Question #

R3.2 – Maintain Critical Systems

Question

Have the building’s critical systems been identified that must be maintained in an extreme climate-related hazard event?

Applicability

All asset classes
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building

Answer & Scoring

  • Yes = 4 points
  • No = 0 points

Max of 4 points

Requirements

  1. List or describe the critical systems that must be maintained in an emergency and the building function that requires these systems
  2. For each of the relevant hazards identified, indicate which of the systems could be affected
  3. Provide an explanation of the measures necessary to maintain the critical systems, including critical spare equipment components
Example for a power outage due to an extreme storm:
  • Electricity: Is adequate backup/emergency power in place? Note, backup power should be provided with 72 hours of fuel for critical systems/spaces at a minimum
  • Heating, cooling and ventilation: What provisions are in place for maintaining safe conditions in case of a power outage?
  • Security and communications: What provisions are in place for maintaining security and communications in case of a power outage?
  • Accessibility: How will individuals with disabilities fare during power outages and what supports might they need?
  • Other: e.g. water, sanitary plumbing, natural gas, stormwater drainage

Documentation

  • Highlight relevant sections in Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans and associated policies
  • Documentation must be building-specific

Suggested Lead

Third-party

Value

  • More frequent extreme weather events and other climate-related hazards are expected due to global warming and climate change which can significantly impact building systems
  • Engage a qualified professional to identify critical systems that need to be maintained during climate-related events to sustain for building functions
  • Include protocols to preserve these systems in the project’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans

Description

The focus of this Question is to guide owners and landlords to think about how future climate events may impact critical building systems, and to plan accordingly. It is meant to go beyond day-to-day emergency preparedness practices.

Resilient buildings reduce vulnerability to climate-related hazards; maintain and enhance healthy, livable spaces for occupants; and mitigate carbon emissions. Investments in building infrastructure protect against damage and losses and reduce insurance premiums. The owner or landlord should determine which elements are important to review, since every building and situation is different.

Components and systems could include elements related to buildings, site, infrastructure, programs and services, operations, health and safety, or other categories that the owner or landlord deems important for the property. Each element may be reviewed to determine its relative level of exposure and sensitivity to relevant hazards, as well as current ability to adapt to them. In combination, these criteria can be used to assess a building element’s vulnerability to climate hazards.

References

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

Question 09.01.13 – Has a resilience or business continuity plan been prepared for the building that includes the following components?
Question 09.01.14 – A long-term climate change risk assessment