What is Functional Recovery?
Functional recovery refers to a building’s ability to maintain or regain essential functions after an event like an earthquake. According to Ryan Kersting, Associate Principal at Buehler Engineering, it’s a post-event performance state where a building or infrastructure system is restored to safely support its basic intended uses. While this concept might sound straightforward, its technical definition can be somewhat ambiguous.
At its core, functional recovery bridges the gap between full functionality and the minimum standards required for reoccupying a building. In simpler terms, it means a building is ready to support most of its pre-event uses and occupants, but not necessarily all.
What Functional Recovery Is NOT
To clarify further, functional recovery is not the same as the following:
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- Immediate Occupancy: The ability to use a building right after an event without interruption.
- Immediate Recovery: A rapid return to full functionality within days.
- Full Recovery: Restoring a building to its pre-event condition with no compromises.
- ASCE 7 Sec 1.3.3 “Functionality” Standards: These standards target specific building categories and do not address broader recovery objectives.
- Community Resilience: While related, community resilience focuses on the recovery of entire neighborhoods or cities, not individual structures.
Why Functional Recovery Matters
The current building codes primarily focus on life safety—ensuring buildings don’t collapse and cause fatalities during seismic events. However, these codes fall short in addressing economic losses and restoring functionality, which has significant implications for communities:
Projected Impacts of Major Earthquakes
- 20–40% of modern, code-compliant buildings could be unfit for use for months or longer after a major earthquake (FEMA P-58 / ATC 138).
- 15–20% of buildings may be deemed economically unrepairable (FEMA P-58).
- Older buildings perform even worse, further exacerbating recovery challenges.
Economic Losses
According to FEMA P-366 estimates:
- Annualized earthquake-related losses in the U.S. total $14.7 billion.
- California alone accounts for $9.6 billion of these losses.
- The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area contributes $3.3 billion annually.
The Need for Change
A shift in building codes, standards, and construction practices is essential to protect communities and minimize losses. Here are key reasons to justify this change:
- Community Resilience: Public demand for faster recovery and safer buildings is growing.
- Government Focus: Federal, state, and local levels are prioritizing resilience against natural hazards.
- High-Risk Populations: About 150 million people in 42 states are at risk of earthquake damage within the next 50 years.
- Economic Costs: On average, natural hazard events cost the U.S. $100 billion annually.
- Improved Recovery: Updated standards can reduce vulnerability, economic losses, and recovery time.
How Saunders Seismic Supports Functional Recovery
For over 40 years, Saunders Seismic has been committed to enhancing building safety and resilience. By aligning with modern codes and providing expert seismic retrofits, Saunders helps safeguard community infrastructure against the impacts of earthquakes. Whether you need structural repairs or a seismic retrofit, our team is here to help.
Ready to Improve Your Building’s Resilience?
Don’t wait for the next big earthquake to act. Contact Saunders Seismic to learn how we can help bring your building up to modern safety and recovery standards. Together, we can protect your property, occupants, and community.
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