ABSTRACT
As in real estate, the starting point for building a disaster resilient building is all about location, location, location; but it does not stop there. There is a myriad of components that need to be considered: from where to build (i.e., site selection) to how it is built (i.e., structure) to what it will include (i.e., layout). This chapter identifies the various components which should be considered, reviewed, and analyzed when a business decides to relocate or expand. Each component provides the starting point for analysis and risk evaluation as we progress through the design, construction, and relocation to a new building location. The emergency evacuation design is based upon the number of people in the building. It would include the number and locations of emergency exit doors, the egress routes to those doors within the building and upon exiting the building, and the ability to notify personnel and visitors at the time of an emergency.
