Assessing Disaster Impacts with the Building Science Disaster Support Program

Main Functions

Resource Library

The Building Science Disaster Support (BSDS) Program sends experts to assess the performance of buildings, structures and Community Lifelines after disasters like extreme wind, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and more.

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The Building Science Disaster Support Program has been around for over 30 years. However, it hasn’t always gone by that title – in the past it’s been referred to as the Building Performance Assessment Team Program and the Mitigation Assessment Team Program.

Main Functions

Disaster Readiness (Steady State)

During disaster readiness, the program gathers information about natural hazard events and locations to determine if disaster support is needed.

Disaster Support Operations

Depending on the analysis of the events, the BSDS program can provide Disaster Support Operations by assembling and deploying Mitigation Assessment Teams (MAT) to evaluate the performance of buildings, other structures, and associated community lifelines.

Working closely with federal and state, local, tribal and territorial officials, academia and private sector partners, the MAT develop conclusions and recommendations to improve building, utility and community resilience on the local and state levels.

Technical Assistance

The Building Science Disaster Support Program can also provide Technical Assistance and subject matter expert support for the disaster.

You Have Questions

“How do we build back better?”

“What can we do differently to prevent future damage?"

BSDS Has Answers

Learning from the disaster damage, the BSDS program provides expert support and technical assistance throughout the recovery process.

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Resource Library: Search for Reports and Advisories

This collection contains all available resources produced as a result of the Building Science Disaster Support Program’s recommendations.

These reports, fact sheets and advisories are based on their observation of the impact of natural hazards on the built environment and otherwise.

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Hurricane Ida DRRA Section 1206 Implementation Case Study

This study reviews the implementation of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) Section 1206 Policy implemented after Hurricane Ida in Louisiana (DR-4611) and shares the lessons learned for future state, local, tribal, and territorial governments looking to implement this type of project.

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Essential Facilities Located in Tornado-Prone Regions: Recommendations for Facility Owners (2021 Kentucky Tornadoes Recovery Advisory 1)

The purpose of this advisory is to inform essential facility owners, operators, and planners of ways to improve the tornado performance of their existing or new essential facilities and how to reduce loss of functionality of the facility during and after a tornado.

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Improving Windstorm and Tornado Resilience: Recommendations for One- and Two-Family Residential Structures

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide a brief overview of building envelope and load path improvements to reduce damage to wood-framed, one- and two-family residential structures when impacted by tornadoes rated on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale as EF2 or less intensity, and indirectly by tornadoes with a greater EF rating.

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Reconstructing a Non-Residential Building After a Tornado (2021 Kentucky Tornadoes Recovery Advisory 2)

The purpose of this Recovery Advisory is to emphasize the importance of building codes and introduce best practices intended to minimize tornado damage as part of the rebuilding effort for non-residential buildings that are not essential facilities

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Design Guide for New Tornado Load Requirements in ASCE 7-22

This instructional guidance is for design professionals and building officials to help them determine when a building or other structure is required to be designed to minimum tornado loads and how to calculate design tornado forces. This guide is in accordance with the updated requirements of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) / Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) standard ASCE 7-22, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures.

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Code-Based Wind-Resistant Roofing for Homes: Reducing Wind Damage in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI Recovery Advisory 1)

This Recovery Advisory focuses on residential roof construction and materials, and roof-to-wall connections. It also details a seven-step process for enhancing your safety by improving the performance of your home during high winds.

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Maintenance and Retrofit Options for Key Building Systems (CNMI MAT 2)

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide options to reduce disaster damage, minimize repair costs, and reduce service losses for key building systems in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This fact sheet describes lower-cost maintenance recommendations and higher-cost wind retrofits to improve building performance in future disasters.

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Maintenance and Retrofit Options for Roof Coverings, Opening Protection Systems, and Exterior Building Elements (CNMI MAT 1)

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide cost-effective ways to reduce disaster damages and increase the life expectancy of residential buildings in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This fact sheet describes many affordable solutions, including lower-cost maintenance recommendations and higher-cost retrofits.

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Mitigating Wind Damage to Existing Critical Facilities (CNMI Recovery Advisory 2)

This Recovery Advisory provides information to reduce critical facility vulnerability to damage from high wind, including suggestions for assessing the vulnerability of a critical facility to future hazards. The information in this advisory is most useful for retrofits of existing buildings, but also references design guidance appropriate for new construction.

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Permitting and Inspection Process for Disaster-Resilient Residential Homes (CNMI MAT)

This fact sheet informs homeowners or their designated representatives—such as a contractor—about the permitting and inspection process, which helps protect the homes, lands, and natural resources of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). By completing these steps and responsibilities as described, your home will be more resilient to natural disasters.

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