CS-v5 SSc4: Enhanced Resilient Site Design 2 points

Credit language

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Intent

Reduce the risk of catastrophic impacts from natural and climate events on site and in adjacent landscapes by designing, building, and maintaining sites to be more resilient to observed, projected, and future climate and natural hazards.

Requirements

Design and construct the site and site structures to meet the following best practices for at least two of the highest priority hazards identified for compliance with IPp1: Climate Resilience Assessment.

Drought
Comply with WEc2: Enhanced Water Efficiency requirements. Specify native and/or drought-tolerant adapted/appropriate plantings. Water makeup for any created water features must comply with SITES C3.4 or local equivalent.

AND/OR

Extreme heat
Integrate two or more additional elements from the following list:

• Provide shaded external spaces adjacent to buildings for use during extreme heat events.
• Provide evaporative cooling solutions (e.g., fountains, misters, water features, etc.).
• Orient buildings and massing to self-shade in summer and extreme heat conditions.
• Provide outdoor cooling stations with emergency backup power.
• Demonstrate proximity to an emergency cooling station within 0.25 miles (400 meters).
• Use paving materials with an initial solar reflectance (SR) value of at least 0.33.
• Use an open-grid pavement system (at least 50% unbound).

AND/OR

Flooding
Integrate two or more of the following strategies, in accordance with ASCE 24 and FEMA 543 standards or local equivalent:

1. Critical utilities

• Locate critical utilities in new construction above the design flood elevation (DFE), plus freeboard as recommended.
• In retrofits, locate critical utilities inside protective, floodproofed enclosures to prevent water intrusion.
• Design new potable water systems to resist flood damage, infiltration of floodwaters, and discharge of effluent.
• Elevate on-site wellheads above surrounding landscape to allow contaminated surface water to drain away.
• Design new sewage systems to avoid infiltration and backup from rising floodwaters.
• Design and anchor plumbing conduits, water supply lines, gas lines, and electric cables that must extend below DFE to resist the effects of flooding.
• Design and anchor rainwater storage tanks to resist flood forces.

2.  Ensure that all structural materials, finish materials, and connectors used below DFE are flood resistant.
3. Certify the project under a qualifying flood-resilient design standard(s) 

AND/OR

Hail
Design and construct the site and site structures according to FORTIFIED Commercial High Wind and Hail Specific Design Requirements for Hail, or local equivalent.

AND/OR

Hurricanes and high winds
For projects in hurricane-prone areas, design and construct the site and site structures according to FORTIFIED Commercial Wind standards, or local equivalent. For projects in high-wind areas, design and construct the site and site structures to comply with wind design measures per ASCE/SEI 7-10 in specified FEMA zones or local equivalent. 

• Install backup power systems in hurricane-prone regions. 
• Install electrical connections with a transfer switch or docking station (storm switch) to support connection of backup power for critical mechanical and electrical systems. 
• Create windbreaks using landscape forms, vegetation, and other locally appropriate natural systems. 

AND/OR

Sea level rise
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, meet two or more of the following:

• Incorporate elevated foundations to minimize projected flood damage to buildings.
• Use materials resistant to projected water damage for construction. 
• Apply sealants and coatings to prevent projected water infiltration into structures. 
• Install flood barriers to block projected floodwaters from entering buildings. 
• Design GI solutions to effectively manage projected storm surge and stormwater runoff.
• Ensure backup power systems are in place to maintain critical functions during projected flooding events. 
• Develop integrated drainage systems to efficiently manage projected excess flooding.
• Engage in community-level planning, partnerships, and/or design workshops to coordinate flood mitigation efforts to effectively and equitably address the needs of populations vulnerable to projected flooding. 
• Retrofit existing structures to enhance their resilience to future flood risks.

AND/OR

Tsunamis
Mitigate the impact of tsunamis through site-planning strategies as described in Designing for Tsunamis (U.S. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program), or local equivalent. Additionally, incorporate the following elements from the TsunamiReady® Guidelines⁶², or local equivalent:

• Install tsunami danger area and evacuation route signage.
• Install Public-Alert-certified NOAA Weather Radio receivers in critical facilities and public venues, or local equivalent.

AND/OR

Wildfires
Follow wildfire management practices pertaining to wildland–urban interface design, vegetation management, debris disposal, and fire safety for equipment referenced in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Standards for Mitigation 2023, or local equivalent. Design and construct the site and site structures in compliance with the SITES v2 rating system credit 4.11: Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, or local equivalent. Reduce fuel using the zone concept (Safer from the Start, Appendix E), or local equivalent.

AND/OR

Winter storms
Meet two or more of the following:

• Provide adequate ingress/egress for vehicles and snow removal equipment.
• Provide a snow removal plan, including compatible road materials, areas for accumulated snow, and roof snow removal.
• Ensure safe walking surfaces to exterior parking areas by considering installing heated sidewalks with renewable energy sources.
• Specify native or adapted planting with a capacity for heavy snow loads.