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IS 15499 : 2004Guidelines for Survey of Housing and Building Typology in Cyclone Prone Areas for Assessment of Vulnerability of Regions and Post Cyclone Damage Estimation

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HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model · FEMA P-154, Third Edition (2015) · GEM Building Taxonomy v3.0
CurrentSpecializedGuidelinesStructural Engineering · Cyclone Resistant Structure
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IS 15499:2004 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for guidelines for survey of housing and building typology in cyclone prone areas for assessment of vulnerability of regions and post cyclone damage estimation. This standard provides guidelines for conducting surveys of housing and building typologies in cyclone-prone areas. It establishes a framework for assessing regional vulnerability before a cyclone and for estimating damage after a cyclone, facilitating standardized data collection and risk analysis.

Guidelines for Survey of Housing and Building Typology in Cyclone Prone Areas for Assessment of Vulnerability of Regions and Post Cyclone Damage Estimation

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Cyclone Resistant Structure
Type
Guidelines
International equivalents
HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model · Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USAFEMA P-154, Third Edition (2015) · Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USAGEM Building Taxonomy v3.0 · Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, InternationalASTM E2026-16a · ASTM International, USA
Typically used with
IS 1893
Also on InfraLens for IS 15499
7Key values3Tables4FAQs
Practical Notes
! The code's strength lies in its detailed annexes, especially the survey forms (Annex C and E) and classification tables (Annex B and D).
! The assessment is primarily visual and qualitative, requiring experienced surveyors for accurate classification of building typology and damage.
! This is a macro-level tool for regional assessment and planning, not for the detailed structural analysis of an individual building.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Classification of BuildingsCl. 5Survey MethodologyCl. 6Vulnerability AssessmentAnnex B - Building Typology ClassificationAnnex C - Pre-Cyclone Survey FormAnnex D - Damage Classification of Buildings
Pulled from IS 15499:2004. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
masonryconcretesteeltimberroofing sheets

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
HAZUS-MH Hurricane ModelFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USA
HighCurrent
Hazards U.S. Multi-Hazard (HAZUS-MH) Hurricane Model Methodology and Technical Manual
Provides a standardized methodology for classifying buildings, assessing vulnerability, and estimating damage from hurricanes.
FEMA P-154, Third Edition (2015)Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USA
MediumCurrent
Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings for Potential Seismic Hazards: A Handbook
Details a rapid visual survey and scoring methodology, analogous to the survey part of IS 15499 but for seismic instead of cyclonic hazards.
GEM Building Taxonomy v3.0Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, International
MediumCurrent
The GEM Building Taxonomy
Offers a detailed, component-based framework for classifying building typologies for risk assessment, which is a core goal of IS 15499.
ASTM E2026-16aASTM International, USA
LowCurrent
Standard Practice for Seismic Risk Assessment of Buildings
Outlines a comprehensive process for risk assessment (hazard, inventory, vulnerability), but is broader and more performance-based than the survey-focused IS code.
Key Differences
≠IS 15499 uses a qualitative classification system specific to Indian construction (e.g., 'Kutcha', 'Pucca'), while international standards like HAZUS or GEM use a more granular, engineering-parameter-based taxonomy (e.g., frame material, lateral system, roof decking) for wider applicability.
≠The Indian standard provides a guideline for a manual survey and database creation. In contrast, the HAZUS methodology is embedded within a GIS-based software tool that automates loss estimation calculations.
≠IS 15499 is exclusively for cyclone hazards. Many international equivalents are either multi-hazard (HAZUS) or focused on a different primary hazard like earthquakes (FEMA P-154, GEM), thus the critical attributes surveyed are different (e.g., roof-wall connection for wind vs. soft-story for seismic).
≠The vulnerability assessment in IS 15499 is semi-quantitative, leading to a general vulnerability level. The HAZUS Hurricane model uses quantitative, engineering-derived fragility curves that relate specific wind speeds to the probability of reaching distinct, well-defined damage states.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 15499 and its international counterparts are fundamentally based on a 'building typology' approach, assuming that buildings of similar construction and design exhibit similar vulnerability.
≈They all recognize the need for a building inventory database, gathered through field surveys, as the foundational element for any regional vulnerability assessment or loss estimation.
≈The overall goal is identical: to enable pre-disaster risk assessment for mitigation planning and post-disaster rapid damage estimation for effective emergency response.
≈All systems classify buildings based on a hierarchy of key attributes, primarily starting with the main structural material of the walls and the type/material of the roof system.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Primary Building ClassificationQualitative durability categories: Kutcha, Semi-Pucca, Pucca.Based on occupancy and structural system: e.g., Residential Wood Frame (WSF1), Commercial Masonry (RM1).HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model
Damage StatesGeneral descriptive categories (e.g., Minor, Moderate, Severe, Collapse) are suggested.Five discrete Damage States (DS1 to DS5) with specific physical damage descriptions for each building type.HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model
Roof ShapeBroad categories: Flat, Pitched, Thatched, Arched.More specific geometric types: Flat, Gable, Hip, Mansard.HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model
Wall Material TypeLocally-specific list including Grass/bamboo, Mud, Unburnt brick, Burnt brick, Stone, RC.Generic engineering categories: Wood, Steel, Concrete (RC), Unreinforced Masonry (URM), Reinforced Masonry (RM).GEM Building Taxonomy v3.0
Vulnerability Assessment MethodVisual survey form to assign vulnerability scores based on building features (connections, openings, condition).Assigning a Basic Structural Hazard (BSH) score based on typology, then applying Performance Modification Factors (PMFs).FEMA P-154
Number of StoriesRecorded as a numerical value (1, 2, 3, etc.)Categorized into height ranges: Low-rise (1-3), Mid-rise (4-7), High-rise (8+).HAZUS-MH Hurricane Model
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values7

Quick Reference Values
Damage Grade G0No damage
Damage Grade G1Slight damage (e.g., loss of roof tiles <10%)
Damage Grade G2Moderate damage (e.g., loss of roof tiles >10%)
Damage Grade G3Heavy damage (e.g., small part of wall collapsed)
Damage Grade G4Very heavy damage (e.g., large part of wall collapsed)
Damage Grade G5Collapse (e.g., more than 50% of building collapsed)
Building Typology identifier formatWALL-ROOF-FLOOR-CLASS (e.g., URM-A-G-II)

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Classification of Building Attributes
Table B.1 - Building Typology (as per World Bank/UNDP Study)
Table D.1 - Damage to Buildings
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Classification of Buildings
Clause 5 - Survey Methodology
Clause 6 - Vulnerability Assessment
Annex B - Building Typology Classification
Annex C - Pre-Cyclone Survey Form
Annex D - Damage Classification of Buildings

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1893:2016Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of S...
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Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the main purpose of IS 15499?+
To provide a standard method for surveying buildings to assess regional vulnerability to cyclones and to estimate post-cyclone damage.
How are buildings classified in this code?+
Buildings are classified into typologies based on wall, roof, and foundation materials, as detailed in Annex B.
What are the damage grades defined in the code?+
Damage is graded from G0 (No Damage) to G5 (Collapse) based on visual descriptions provided in Annex D.
Does this code specify design wind loads?+
No, it is for vulnerability assessment. Design wind loads are specified in IS 875 (Part 3).

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