47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

m How do long-term costs associated with periodic inundationcompare to up-front costs of selecting a different site orbuilding to a higher level of protection?m If the facility is located in a hurricane-prone community, howshould the facility design account for low probability, but highimpact, storm surge flooding?m If access to the facility is periodically restricted due to flooding,especially long-duration flooding, what are the cost effects?How often should an alternate location be provided tocontinue normal operations?2.2.1.2 Identifying Flood Hazards at CriticalFacilities SitesAs part of site selection and to guide locating a new critical facilityand other improvements on a site, facility owners, planners, anddesigners should investigate site-specific flood hazard characteristics.Similarly, when examining existing critical facilities andwhen planning improvements or rehabilitation work, an importantstep is to determine the site characteristics and flood hazards.The best available information should be examined, includingflood hazard maps, records of historical flooding, storm surgemaps, and advice from local experts and others who can evaluateflood risks. Table 2-3 in Section 2.5 outlines questions that shouldbe answered prior to initiating site layout and design work.2.2.1.3 Critical Facilities as Emergency SheltersEmergency managers regularly identify facilities (especiallyschools) to serve as short-term and long-term shelters. Schoolsare attractive sites for shelters because they have kitchen facilitiesdesigned to serve many people, restroom facilities likely to beadequate for many people, and plenty of space for cots in gymnasiums,cafeterias, and wide corridors.New schools that will function as emergency shelters warrant ahigher degree of protection than other schools and should be appropriatelydesigned as critical facilities (see Section 1.3 for an2-40 MAKING CRITICAL FACILITIES SAFE FROM Flooding