The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released new resources to support employers, public officials, and design professionals with re-occupying buildings more safely after COVID-19 shutdowns.
The initiative included a team of architects, public health experts, engineers, and facility managers who developed strategies to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in buildings, promote social distancing standards, and “enhance wellbeing in communities transitioning to new lifestyle norms.” The new and enhanced tools can assist employers, building owners, and design teams with best practices to protect the health and safety of the public.
· A Risk Management Plan for Buildings provides a process for assessing hazards in buildings and reducing risk. “This methodology not only can be applied during the pandemic, but for all shocks and stresses to create more resilient buildings and businesses,” an AIA press release says.
· AIA Re-occupancy Assessment Tool (2.0) provides an enhanced framework of strategies for re-opening buildings, including restaurants, retailers, offices, senior living facilities, schools, and housing
· COVID-19 ArchMap allows architects to input design strategies that mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission for any building type. The map is produced in partnership with the University of Kansas’ Institute of Health + Wellness Design and intended to facilitate design innovation.
The team will also release more detailed strategies and considerations for offices, retailers, schools, and senior living facilities “in the near future.”
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2017
Canada’s national building codes will encompass effects of climate change
Forecasted data, not historical data, will be used as the basis for the codes.
Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2017
ConsensusDocs updates standard short contract editions
The updates address industry changes impacting insurance, legal, technology, and terminology.
Codes and Standards | Mar 3, 2017
ASCE updates standard for structures using tensile membrane
The new sstandard combines guidelines for conventional tensile membrane structures with frame-covered membrane structures.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2017
EPA's 2017 Construction General Permit now in effect
The regulation governs compliance with effluent limits.
Codes and Standards | Feb 28, 2017
Concern grows for high tide flood vulnerability in Mid-Atlantic states
Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, Md., could flood every three days by 2045.
Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2017
Green building saves operating costs and boosts asset value
A new report shows 14% cost savings and a 7% increase in value when green standards are met.
Codes and Standards | Feb 24, 2017
Scant data hampering energy, water efficiency at sports venues
New NIBS report says baseline information needs further development.
Codes and Standards | Feb 22, 2017
Plans for WELL Building Standard include linkage with other green building standards
The planned updated version will be customizable for any building type.
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2017
Aging building code inspectors and government belt-tightening could cause crisis
Inspectors are edging toward retirement with no understudies in place.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2017
AISI publishes three new cold-formed steel framing research reports
Seismic simulation, roof trusses, steel-to-steel and sheathing-to-steel connections are examined in the reports.
