A new standard for flood resistance and resilience of buildings: new build and retrofit

Abstract

Abstract.With around three million properties in England affected by severe weather-driven surface water (pluvial) flooding, and the number likely to increase as a result of climate change, it is important that homeowners and businesses are encouraged to take steps to minimise the effects of future flood events. This is where property-level protection and building resilience measures are important. However, stakeholders will continue to need assistance and advice on how to select appropriate measures. Based on laboratory testing and other desk studies, a guidance document was developed in 2007 giving advice on resilient approaches for new buildings. This was adopted by many organisations, to inform measures that could be used, particularly to deal with residual flood risks, which cannot always be designed out. Since 2009, through the 'Statement of Principles' with the insurance industry and the NPPF, unsuitable development has been discouraged in areas at high flood risk. However, with the increased awareness of the need to deal with surface water for existing housing stock, a new standard was needed. Therefore the British Standards Institution has developed a new standard (BS 85500) that updates and extends the guidance document, including retrofitting flood resistance and resilience measures to existing properties. This paper outlines the Standard's contents and some of the key issues associated with its development.

A Good Practice for Integrating Stakeholders through Standardization—The Case of the Smart Mature Resilience Project

“…However, there is little information available on how standardization can be addressed in the funded projects. Examples of previous studies refer to the use and application of a standard for sustainable cities [24], assessing already developed resilience-related standards [25] or the development of a new country-specific project management standard [26]. Nevertheless, in order to address the increasing demand for standardization in projects and to specify successful approaches to integrating standardization and stakeholders, more research on projects that have integrated standardization are needed [5].…”

Vulnerability assessment of residential buildings to tidal flood hazards in Sriwulan Village, Sayung District, Demak Regency

“…The source of tidal flood and the availability of a pump as a preventive measure due to its duration [15] Distance to water bodies Distance of house building to water bodies (pond/river connected to the sea) related to the potential damage from salt weathering [16] Accessibility Availability of a way or bride during the flood [17] Economic Parameter…”

“…High vulnerabilities were found in the northern part of Pondok Raden Patah Housing Phase 1, mainly due to some drainage canals in this area are in poor condition. The floods originating from poor drainage systems will last longer than floods originating from the sea [15]. Another factor that caused the vulnerability was the distance to water bodies.…”

Improving the Flood Resilience of Commercial Buildings Through Property Flood Resilience Measures

“…The Department for Communities and Local Government [34] highlights some of the causes of this residual risk as: failure of flood management infrastructure such as a breach of a raised flood defence; blockage of a surface water sewer or failure of a pumped drainage system; a severe flood which causes a flood defence to be overtopped; and floods outside the known flood risk areas. In these cases, business owners need to have a range of protection or resilience measures they can incorporate into their properties to take care of this flood risk [35]. According to the Environment Agency, most businesses can save up to 90% on the cost of lost stock and moveable equipment by taking action to prepare in advance of flooding.…”

“…The products that make up the resistance measures include both flood protection products (such as floodgates, door and window guards for doorways and low level windows), the installation of non-return valves on sewers to prevent backflow, barriers and flood doors that cover apertures and the use of resistant materials (such as engineering bricks, cladding systems, plastic skirts, flood-resistant doors, and wall coatings to limit water ingress) [35]. However, it is recommended that above the 600 mm threshold height, a resilience approach should be adopted [34].…”