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construction requirements for site structures as outlined by ASCE/SEI 7 Standards [70] in specified FEMA zones or local equivalent.
Backup power systems Projects must install backup power systems in hurricane-prone regions to ensure that critical operations can continue during power outages. Critical operations refer to essential functions, such as HVAC systems, lighting, and communications, which must remain operational continuously to ensure the safety, stability, and proper functioning of the building. Install electrical connections with a transfer switch or docking station (storm switch) to support the connection of backup power must be installed for critical mechanical and electrical systems. Backup generators or solar-powered systems with battery storage provide an emergency power supply ensuring the continuation of critical operations during power interruptions.
Windbreaks A windbreak will reduce wind speed for as much as 30 times the windbreak’s height. [71] A windbreak involves strategically planting trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, and using landscape forms and other locally appropriate natural systems to reduce wind speed around buildings and open spaces. Using vegetation also helps prevent topsoil erosion, which is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure.
Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise poses significant threats to buildings, particularly in coastal areas. As global temperatures increase, melting ice caps and expanding ocean waters are causing sea levels to rise, leading to more frequent and severe flooding events. These changes put pressure on existing buildings, increasing the risk of water infiltration, foundation damage, and structural instability.
To effectively enhance flood resilience, it is essential to design and construct the site to accommodate flooding based on sea level rise and storm surge projections for the design service life of the project. In addition, projects must incorporate at least two measures to limit the impacts of flooding. First, projects may elevate foundations, at least four feet (1.2 meters) above sea level rise projections. Elevating foundations can significantly reduce potential flood damage to buildings, ensuring they remain secure in the face of rising waters.
70 ASCE/SEI 7 Standards, American Spciety of Civil Engineers (ASCE), (2024), https://www.asce.org/publications-and-news/asce-7. 71 U.S. Department of Energy, (n.d.), Landscaping for Wind Control, Energy Saver, energy.gov/energysaver/landscaping-windbreaks.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 137