Vulnerability definitions
The Loss Prevention Standard (LSP 2082 : Issue 1.0), published by BRE Global in 2017, defines vulnerability as: ‘A weakness to a security threat which reduces the security of a facility.’
A Guide To Climate Change Impacts, On Scotland’s Historic Environment, published by Historic Environment Scotland in October 2019, defines vulnerability / sensitivity as: ‘The features of an asset that we can influence or control in order to make it more or less susceptible to a particular hazard.’
Water safety in buildings, published by the World Health Organization in 2011, states: ‘Vulnerable groups or populations are people who might be vulnerable to the effects of exposure because of their development stage (e.g. children) or because of pre-existing health conditions (e.g. asthmatics and air pollution).’
Anticipate, react, recover; Resilient infrastructure systems, published by the National Infrastructure Commission in May 2020, states: ‘In the context of infrastructure systems, a vulnerability is a characteristic of the system or weakness in the system that has the potential to lead to partial or full failure of the system.’
The glossary of statistical terms, published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), states: ‘Vulnerability is a measure of the extent to which a community, structure, service or geographical area is likely to be damaged or disrupted, on account of its nature or location, by the impact of a particular disaster hazard.’
Glossary: Resilience, published by the Department for International Development in 2016, defines vulnerability as: ‘The likelihood that assets will be damaged or destroyed when exposed to a hazard event.’
See also:
- Resilience.
- Vulnerable consumer.
- Vulnerable customer.
- Vulnerability index.
- Vulnerable road user.
- Vulnerable species.
- Security vulnerability.
- Sensitivity analysis.
- Sensitive area.
- Sensitive ecological habitat.
- Sensitive Information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE National Security Survey.
- BREEAM Safety and security.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Convergent threat.
- Design basis threat.
- Facility Security Risk Management Plan.
- Facility security manager.
- Loss Prevention Certification Board.
- Project security manager.
- Resilience.
- Risk.
- SABRE.
- Security.
- Sensitive area.
- Sensitive ecological habitat.
- Sensitive Information.
- Sensitivity analysis.
- Threat.
- Vulnerable customer.
Featured articles and news
Government consultations for the summer of 2025
A year of Labour, past and present consultations on the environment, the built environment, training and tax.
CMA competitiveness probe of major housing developers
100 million affordable housing contributions committed with further consultation published.
Homes England supports Greencore Homes
42 new build affordable sustainable homes in Oxfordshire.
Zero carbon social housing: unlocking brownfield potential
Seven ZEDpod strategies for brownfield housing success.
CIOB report; a blueprint for SDGs and the built environment
Pairing the Sustainable Development Goals with projects.
Types, tests, standards and fires relating to external cladding
Brief descriptions with an extensive list of fires for review.
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.