47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

them experienced significant problems, irrespective of the levelof damage. Some of these facilities are located in existing buildingsdesigned as regular office space. These facilities performedpoorly, and although they were able to adapt to the circumstances,they did not operate as efficiently as those designed for their particularfunctions.For example, EOC facilities in New Orleans were placed into civiccenter offices, which were not equipped with kitchens, showers,and other facilities essential for the smooth and continuous operationof an EOC (see Figure 4-36). As a consequence, the facilityhad to be relocated immediately after Katrina because the availableaccommodations were insufficient and poorly equipped.Some of the buildings occupied by first responders were originallydesigned for a different purpose and subsequently converted totheir current use.Figure 4-36:New Orleans EOC in theCity Hall buildingGenerally, any building, whether new or old, that is used as anemergency response facility should be carefully reviewed for compliancewith the requirements for uninterrupted operation ofthe facility. Particular attention should be paid to issues that have4-52 OBSERVATIONS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CRITICAL FACILITIES