WELCOME TO USRC-WIND

USRC exists to implement building performance rating systems that can transform practices in our construction and financial systems to better protect ourselves from natural hazard risks.

Experts on USRC’s WIND Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) have synthesized the best technical science for measuring the performance of structures in extreme wind. At the end of 2022 the USRC launched a quantitative yet easily communicated rating system for hurricane and other straight-line wind risks as well as storm surge.

Thanks to a generous grant of $300,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the US Resiliency Council was able to complete the USRC Wind Rating System in December, 2022.

Eight of the ten costliest natural catastrophes in US history have been wind related. Typically, multiple billion+ dollar wind disasters occur each year.

A USRC Verified Rating can be used for promotional, marketing and publicity purposes. Owners whose Verified Ratings meet specific performance thresholds can use the badges above to promote the resilient design of their buildings. Each Verified Rating is:

  • awarded one to five stars in each dimension of SAFETY, DAMAGE and RECOVERY,
  • performed by certified professionals,
  • technically reviewed,
  • transparent – using national standards,
  • credible – designed to prevent manipulation,
  • easy for the lay person to understand.

Is it time to sell or refinance your building?

The USRC Transaction Rating gives your team due diligence reports that deliver consistent information regardless of the engineer performing the evaluation. Technical reviews are performed to maintain credibility. Your Transaction Rating will remain confidential with the USRC. Each Transaction Rating:

  • is awarded one to three stars in each dimension of SAFETY, DAMAGE and RECOVERY,

  • is performed by certified professionals,

  • is randomly audited by USRC reviewers,

  • is easy for the lay person to understand.

The USRC Getting to Silver Rating provides a means for owners to achieve a USRC designation that sets their buildings apart as contributing to a resilient community and as good long term investments. A Getting to Silver Rating is:

  • awarded three stars in each dimension of SAFETY, DAMAGE and RECOVERY,

  • for buildings built to post 2000 building codes,

  • transparent – using national standards,

  • credible – designed to prevent manipulation,

  • easy for the lay person to understand.

The USRC Wind Rating System evaluates:

Hurricane Wind

Hurricane induced storm surge

Storm induced straight line wind

How USRC-WIND Will Benefit Design Experts, Their Clients, and Society

Creating a wind rating system is helping the wind engineering community’s attitudes catch up with the leadership earthquake engineers have shown on performance-based design. The rating system will attract attention to wind’s outsized disaster impacts and catalyze change in construction practices and codes. – Dr. Teng Wu, New York State University at Buffalo

“Many end-clients like owners are aware of the issues but struggle to articulate their goals into something that an engineer can help them achieve. A rating system that converts the sometimes complex problems and solutions of wind risk into everyday language, like LEED did for energy and the environment, will be hugely powerful.” – Mark Chatten, Principal and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at RWDI

For more information contact us at info@usrc.org