The National Institute of Building Sciences has a number of resources available to help communities improve the resilience of their buildings against potential natural and man-caused disasters.

Below is a list of councils, committees and programs that have documents specifically related to disaster risk:

Building Seismic Safety Council – The Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) develops earthquake risk mitigation and regulatory provisions for the nation’s buildings. BSSC works with federal agencies and private industry to improve seismic safety.

BSSC Resources:

• NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures (FEMA P-750)*
• "Earthquake-Resistant Design Concepts:  An Introduction to the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions (FEMA P-749)"

Multihazard Mitigation Council – The Multihazard Mitigation Council (MMC) works to reduce the total losses associated with buildings and other structures as a result of natural disasters and other hazards.

MMC Resources:

• Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities
• Guidance developed by the American Lifelines Alliance (ALA), a public-private partnership project that was funded by FEMA and managed by the Institute’s MMC
• The Journal of the National Institute of Building Sciences (JNIBS) – The National Institute of Building Sciences began publishing the bi-monthly Journal of the National Institute of Building Sciences (JNIBS) in June 2013, through a relationship with Stamats Commercial Buildings Group. The Institute's previous journal — the Journal of Hazard Mitigation and Risk Assessment (JHAZ) — is now a part of this new periodical.

Multihazard Risk Assessment / HAZUS®-MH – The Institute completed the first nationally-applicable risk assessment methodology in the 1990's and now is responsible for independent verification of the software program used by emergency managers to estimate damage and loss from potential disasters.

HAZUS® Resources:

• FEMA HAZUS Website*

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities – The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) website is the largest source of school facilities information in the world.

NCEF Resources:

• Earthquakes and Schools – This NCEF publication discusses earthquake basics, preparing a school for an earthquake, reducing nonstructural hazards and seismic upgrading.

Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) – A free online resource for the building industry, the WBDG is the gateway to up-to-date information on integrated ‘whole building’ design techniques and technologies.

WBDG Resources:

• Resist Natural Hazards – This page within the Design Guidance section under the Secure/Safe subsection of the WBDG site contains an overview of natural hazards, recommendations, emerging issues, relevant codes and standards, and additional resources.
• WBDG 10: Seismic Design Basics – This free online continuing education course provides an introduction to the concepts and principles of seismic design, including strategies for designing earthquake-resistant buildings to ensure the health, safety and security of building occupants and assets.

*These links will direct you to the FEMA website. The Institute is not responsible for its content.

Dialogue on National Resilience

Six for the City: Recommendations to Advance High-Performance Communities