The National Standard for Resilient Construction
Resilient Building Design and Stronger Construction Standard
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) developed FORTIFIED Commercial™ as a construction standard and designation to reduce damage to commercial structures and help businesses re-open more quickly following severe weather.
FORTIFIED Commercial includes three levels of resiliency:
- FORTIFIED Roof™
- FORTIFIED Silver™
- FORTIFIED Gold™
FORTIFIED Commercial™ Standard
Why FORTIFIED?
How Do I Build to FORTIFIED?
1. Understand the Risks
Review the standard and understand how they apply to your building location and associated risks.
2. Select a Level
Determine the level of resilience you want to achieve (FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Silver, or FORTIFIED Gold).
3. Apply for the Designation
Complete an online application.
4. Work with an Evaluator
Work with a third-party evaluator provided by IBHS to verify compliance with the standard.
Standing Up to Hurricane Sally
FORTIFIED Commercial focuses on community-based and light to moderate commercial structures such as:
- Multi-family residential / residential (when not governed by the IRC)
- Template (“cookie-cut”) stand-alone buildings
- Franchises (e.g., quick-service restaurants)
- Hotels
- Convenience stores/gas stations
- Pharmacies/retail stores
- Business services
- Schools/municipal buildings
- Mixed use
Excluded occupancies include high-hazard and appurtenances such as barns and sheds. Please see the FORTIFIED Commercial standard for more information.
Download a PDF of this overview
Compliance Process
