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Extracted Content
Vulnerability reflects the project’s overall susceptibility, considering both its sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The overall risk level is a combined assessment of hazard severity, exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability, categorized as low, medium, or high.
Teams must assess the potential impacts of each hazard on the project. Project hazards can disrupt essential services, damage structures, cause long-term operational challenges, and impact the 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.
Integration into Project Planning and Operations As part of the Climate Resilience Assessment, the hazard assessment findings will be used to inform ongoing operations and maintenance (O+M) strategies for the project. This includes updating emergency preparedness protocols, adjusting maintenance schedules to address climate-related stressors, and implementing procedures to enhance building resilience. For example, if flooding is identified as a priority hazard, the facility team may establish protocols for inspecting and maintaining drainage systems, installing temporary flood barriers during extreme weather events, and securing critical equipment in elevated locations. If extreme heat is a concern, operations teams can optimize HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) performance, schedule proactive cooling system maintenance, and implement adaptive occupant comfort strategies.
Where possible, integrate resilience considerations into preventive maintenance programs, staff training, and operational decision-making to ensure facilities remain adaptable to changing climate conditions. Identifying risks and vulnerabilities allows teams to develop long-term strategies to mitigate natural hazards and enhance resilience. This approach strengthens operational continuity, reduces disruptions, and supports ongoing adaptation to evolving threats. Through proactive facility management, teams can better sustain building functionality, occupant well-being, and asset longevity, ensuring that resilience measures remain effective throughout the project’s lifespan.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 25