How do you secure and design resilient facilities?

1 Assess the risks

The first step in securing and designing resilient facilities is to assess the risks that the facility may face from different sources. These include natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, fires, storms, and landslides; human-made hazards such as terrorism, sabotage, vandalism, cyberattacks, and accidents; and operational hazards such as equipment failures, power outages, supply chain disruptions, and human errors. A risk assessment should identify the likelihood and impact of each hazard, as well as the potential vulnerabilities and consequences for the facility and its occupants. A risk assessment should also consider the interdependencies and cascading effects of different hazards, as well as the existing mitigation and response measures.

3 Design for flexibility

The third step in securing and designing resilient facilities is to design for flexibility, meaning that the facility can adapt to changing needs, demands, and conditions. Designing for flexibility can involve using modular, prefabricated, or movable components that can be easily reconfigured, relocated, or replaced; incorporating redundant, diverse, or distributed systems that can provide backup or alternative options in case of failure; and creating multi-functional, multi-purpose, or multi-user spaces that can serve different functions or accommodate different users. Designing for flexibility can also involve using smart technologies, such as sensors, actuators, or artificial intelligence, that can monitor, control, or optimize the facility performance and operations.

4 Enhance durability

The fourth step in securing and designing resilient facilities is to enhance durability, meaning that the facility can resist or reduce the damage from hazards. Enhancing durability can involve using high-quality, robust, or resilient materials that can withstand or absorb stress, strain, or impact; applying protective coatings, treatments, or finishes that can prevent or delay corrosion, degradation, or wear; and following engineering standards, codes, or guidelines that can ensure the structural integrity, stability, or strength of the facility. Enhancing durability can also involve using passive or active design strategies, such as natural ventilation, daylighting, or insulation, that can improve the thermal, acoustic, or visual comfort of the facility and reduce the reliance on external energy sources.

5 Incorporate sustainability

The fifth step in securing and designing resilient facilities is to incorporate sustainability, meaning that the facility can minimize its environmental impact and contribute to social and economic well-being. Incorporating sustainability can involve using renewable, recycled, or biodegradable materials that can reduce the consumption of natural resources and the generation of waste; implementing energy-efficient, water-efficient, or waste-efficient systems that can reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants; and adopting green or blue infrastructure, such as green roofs, walls, or gardens, or rainwater harvesting, storage, or reuse, that can enhance the biodiversity, ecology, or hydrology of the facility and its surroundings. Incorporating sustainability can also involve engaging with the stakeholders, users, and communities that can benefit from or influence the facility and its operations.

6 Plan for recovery

The sixth and final step in securing and designing resilient facilities is to plan for recovery, meaning that the facility can restore its functionality and services after a disruption. Planning for recovery can involve developing contingency plans, emergency plans, or business continuity plans that can outline the roles, responsibilities, resources, and actions for responding to and recovering from different scenarios; establishing backup or alternative facilities, systems, or networks that can ensure the continuity of operations or communications; and creating recovery teams, committees, or partnerships that can coordinate, monitor, or evaluate the recovery process and outcomes. Planning for recovery can also involve learning from the experience, feedback, or lessons of previous disruptions and improving the preparedness, resilience, or performance of the facility and its stakeholders.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?