Incorporating disaster readiness in a veterinary facility

Natural disasters make the news every day. Although preparing for every scenario might not be realistic, veterinary practice owners can design their buildings to be more resilient and better equipped to handle an emergency.

Incorporating disaster readiness in hospital design can also be simple and cost-effective. Here are some of the ways to prepare a facility for emergency situations.

Review FEMA maps before selecting a location

The first step we take when reviewing potential locations for veterinary clients is to review the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zone maps. These are available online at FEMA.gov. It is possible to search by parcel or location in any place in the United States and determine its flood hazard zone. This is important because flood hazard maps change over time due to local conditions and climate data. Check on FEMA.gov even for existing buildings. Just because something is constructed does not mean it is not in a hazard zone.

When interpreting FEMA maps, avoid properties in a regulatory floodway. They will flood regularly. Also, avoid areas in 100-year flood plains. They have a probability of flooding once in 100 years and require special flood hazard insurance. Building on them can be expensive or impossible, depending on local regulations.

Review existing buildings for code compliance

If you are selecting an existing building for remodel, have an architect and their recommended engineers review the building and site for local and state code compliance before purchasing it. For example, in Florida, older buildings may not be built to current hurricane or stormwater management standards. Existing buildings in California may not meet current seismic standards. Many states have updated their codes, partially because of improved information about the performance of buildings and building materials.

Purchasing an out-of-code building may be expensive at best, and it may likely suffer significant damage during disaster events. Choosing an existing building is an excellent strategy for hospitals to save money, but ensure that your local professionals are helping you select the best one.

Install a fire sprinkler

Although fire sprinklers are not required for the smallest buildings, they are always a good idea. Structure fire data have shown sprinklers to reduce the impact of a fire and significantly lower the risk of death and injury to individuals, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).1

It is very important to have a sprinkler system if you offer boarding and/or house animals overnight. The animals are completely vulnerable and must be evacuated by fire rescue personnel, who will prioritize the human beings in the structure first. Equine facilities are particularly vulnerable to tragic fires, as they tend to be wood-framed and sometimes contain special hazards such as feed/hay and fuel for vehicles.

If it is not practical to add a sprinkler to your building, take these measures:

• If possible, design new buildings to be constructed from non-combustible materials.
• In wildfire-prone areas, follow your local wildland fire guides and/or reference the free resources on the NFPA website at nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire. These will help guide exterior landscape design for fire breaks and other strategies. Avoid purchasing parcels on the wildlife urban interface.
• Ensure your oxygen is contained in a fire-rated room or closet. Even if you have a sprinkler, this may be required by code. For greater safety, you may be able to run a single sprinkler head to the medical gas closet off the domestic water line.
• Select a dryer with overheat protection, which will shut the dryer off if it gets too hot. This is simple and so important. Many fires start in animal care facilities due to a dryer fire. Also, maintain the dryer vent regularly.
• Install an up-to-code fire alarm system.
• Do not store flammable materials in the building under any circumstance. They can be stored in fireproof containers on the building’s property and/or off-site.
• Ensure your site has up-to-code access for fire response vehicles. Your local fire marshal and your architect or site engineer can help you review site plans for compliance with emergency vehicle standards.

In areas prone to power loss, install a generator

For most hospitals, a generator does not have to cover the entire hospital, but it should cover systems such as:

• Security and data systems
• Pumps for sewer or fire sprinkler (if applicable)
• Water heater
• Emergency lighting
• Power in surgical spaces
• Select outlets
• Freezers and refrigerators
• For hot climates, HVAC in animal ward zones and other critical operational areas

Of special note, MRI machines must be on a generator, as they risk damage or worse if they experience power failures.

For most hospitals (except those with critical life-safety systems that require power and those with MRI machines), a standby generator is acceptable. This is a type of generator that can be switched on manually. Hospitals with MRI machines and critical infrastructure on power will need an emergency generator, which ensures no discontinuity of power, but also costs a lot more. Electrical engineers are the best source of information about types of generators and their pros and cons.

Build a safe room

This room is designed to keep your employees safe in emergencies, which may vary based on location. The room could have hardened walls, lockable doors, communication devices, and emergency power. The safe room may be used during events as varied as active shooter threats and natural disasters. If you are in hurricane- or tornado-prone areas, consult with your architect to understand what level of safety you might require. The website FEMA.gov has good resources for criteria and design. For example, extreme threats may warrant evacuation off premises rather than sheltering in place.

Store emergency supplies

As part of your emergency operation plan, create a storage area for the most useful supplies. Do not overstore (as this can create clutter and cost money to build storage space), but keep a few emergency items on hand. Supplies to store might include the following:

• A couple of cots and sleeping bags for employees who might have to stay overnight in bad weather (such as in blizzard conditions)
• Jugs of clean, drinking water for people and animals
• A couple of plug-in heaters or fans (for instance, when the hospital is operating on partial power). Heaters should be the type that turn off if overheating or tipped over.
• A small amount of pet food and human food. This should be replaced periodically if not used (once every few months).
• First aid supplies for people
• Emergency satellite phone
• Charged walkie-talkies
• Go kits for evacuation, which will include emergency food and water, first aid supplies, and other animal and pet supplies. Your go kit should be contained in a large, lidded bucket.

Takeaway

It is smart to be prepared for disasters, as no one has the mental capacity, resources, or time to plan on the spot when emergencies occur. If your hospital remains safe and you have a plan in place, you will be less likely to require assistance from first responders, and you will be more likely to be able to provide support to your community.

In addition to the above ideas, consult with your local fire department and/or city hall to see if they have additional information about emergency preparation for businesses in your local area.

Reference

McGree T. US experience with sprinklers. National Fire Protection Association. April 1, 2024. Accessed September 4, 2025. https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/us-experience-with-sprinklers