47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

avoid them when feasible. In cases when exposure to hazards isunavoidable, it is recommended that they build new facilities, orrehabilitate the existing ones to resist the forces and conditions associatedwith these hazards.1.1.1 Critical FacilitiesIn general usage, the term “critical facilities” is used to describeall manmade structures or other improvements that, because oftheir function, size, service area, or uniqueness, have the potentialto cause serious bodily harm, extensive property damage, ordisruption of vital socioeconomic activities if they are destroyed,damaged, or if their functionality is impaired.Critical facilities commonly include all public and private facilitiesthat a community considers essential for the delivery of vitalservices and for the protection of the community. They usuallyinclude emergency response facilities (fire stations, police stations,rescue squads, and emergency operation centers [EOCs]),custodial facilities (jails and other detention centers, long-termcare facilities, hospitals, and other health care facilities), schools,emergency shelters, utilities (water supply, wastewater treatmentfacilities, and power), communications facilities, and any other assetsdetermined by the community to be of critical importance forthe protection of the health and safety of the population. The adverseeffects of damaged critical facilities can extend far beyonddirect physical damage. Disruption of health care, fire, and policeservices can impair search and rescue, emergency medical care,and even access to damaged areas.The number and nature of critical facilities in a communitycan differ greatly from one jurisdiction to another, and usuallycomprise both public and private facilities. In this sense, eachcommunity needs to determine the relative importance of thepublicly and privately owned facilities that deliver vital services,provide important functions, and protect special populations.Minimum requirements for the design of new critical facilitiesand for improvements to existing facilities are found in the modelbuilding codes and the design and construction standards. ASCE7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, is the1-2 CRITICAL FACILITY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS