Resilience Standards

In a world facing increasing disruption from natural disasters and climate-related events, resilience has become a critical requirement across the engineering, construction, and infrastructure sectors.

Stakeholders—including building owners, engineers, insurers, and regulators—are under pressure to mitigate risk, reduce losses, and ensure rapid recovery. ASTM International supports this effort with trusted standards that help organizations plan, build, and assess for resilience with precision and confidence.

From protecting buildings against wildfires and floods to ensuring reliable energy performance and water management, ASTM’s resilience-focused standards enable professionals to evaluate vulnerabilities, design for durability, and comply with emerging regulatory demands.

Digital access through ASTM Compass® ensures that engineers and decision-makers can quickly find and apply the latest consensus-based methods—backed by a global network of technical experts.

The frequency and intensity of hurricanes, floods, and seismic events demand rigorous site preparation and building system evaluation. ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock supports geotechnical resilience with over 360 standards, including D6462 for silt fence installation and D6459 for erosion control. These methods help engineers prevent runoff, protect water quality, and stabilize slopes.

Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and E50 on Environmental Assessment contribute essential seismic assessment tools. Standards such as E2026 guide seismic risk evaluations, while E2557 supports probable maximum loss (PML) calculations.

These methods are relied on by financial institutions, underwriters, and structural engineers working in hazard-prone regions.

Durability underpins resilience. ASTM standards on Gypsum include C1177, which specifies performance for glass mat gypsum in exterior applications—critical in managing wind and moisture exposure.

ASTM standards also include C1564 which outlines the use of silicone sealants in protective glazing systems, helping buildings resist windborne debris and hurricanes.

Committee E06 provides an array of building envelope standards, including E1886 and E1996 for impact resistance and E1105 and E3075 for water penetration.

Asset resilience is also addressed through ASTM E3210, which creates a structured approach for managing infrastructure systems, from water supply to transit, with long-term durability and service continuity in mind.

Uncontrolled moisture accelerates structural failure, fosters mold growth, and degrades indoor air quality. Committee D19 on Water offers D5073 for measuring surface water depth and D5906 for determining horizontal positioning—critical tools for flood risk assessment and civil planning.

Committee E06’s E241 provides a comprehensive guide for mitigating water damage in low-rise buildings. E50’s E3026 enables visual baseline surveys of moisture-influenced materials during real estate transactions and due diligence.

Together, these standards allow engineers and owners to detect vulnerabilities early, specify proper mitigation, and document risk management strategies.

ASTM Compass® provides digital access to all resilience-related standards, ensuring engineers and project managers can easily find the most current methods.

Version control features allow teams to track revisions, verify documentation, and align specifications with current regulatory expectations.

In addition, ASTM offers technical training and certification programs focused on resilience topics.

Whether learning to implement E2026 seismic evaluations or applying E2797 energy assessments, professionals can build practical skills backed by globally recognized credentials.