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impact project’s operational aspects. During the operations phase, the assessment must consider the impact of these hazards on facility management, occupant safety, and service continuity. This includes potential disruptions to building systems, energy and water supply reliability, indoor environmental quality, emergency preparedness, workforce safety, and the long-term performance of structural and mechanical components. Hazards may also affect maintenance schedules, operational costs, and the ability to provide critical services during extreme weather events.

Hazard Assessment for Interior Environments

Teams must define the anticipated service life of the interior project, which often corresponds to lease terms, expected tenant occupancy, or the life span of major interior systems and finishes. While whole-building service life may extend beyond 50 years, interior spaces typically undergo renovation or reconfiguration every 10 - 30 years, requiring resilience strategies that support both short-term adaptability and long-term sustainability.

Project teams must analyze how hazards may affect interior operations, including temperature fluctuations, humidity control, indoor air quality, occupant safety, and potential damage to furniture, finishes, and equipment.

Integration into Interior Project Planning and Interior Design

As part of the climate resilience assessment, project teams must use findings from the hazard assessment to inform interior planning, design, operations, and maintenance strategies. Unlike whole-building projects, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors projects must evaluate how climate hazards affect interior environments, including occupant comfort, material durability, indoor air quality, and system performance.

During the planning and design phase, teams should focus on resilient interior design strategies that enhance thermal comfort, air quality, moisture control, and operational efficiency. For example, if flooding is identified as a priority hazard, strategies may include selecting waterresistant flooring and wall finishes, elevating electrical and IT infrastructure, and incorporating dehumidification systems to mitigate post-flood moisture buildup. If extreme heat is a concern, teams should optimize HVAC zoning and controls, incorporate passive cooling strategies such as operable windows, and specify materials with high thermal resistance.

Where possible, resilience considerations should be embedded into material and system selection, lighting strategies, and space planning to ensure interiors remain adaptable to changing climate conditions and operational demands. Incorporating risk-informed strategies early in the interior fit-out process allows teams to proactively address vulnerabilities, extend the life span of finishes and equipment, and ensure long-term occupant safety and well-being.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 24