Building Management Hawaii - (Page 24)

WindoWs /doors Reassessing Hurricane Preparedness Study shows failure of windows, doors increases risks BY ANDREW KEENAN L ast year's storms are a clear indication that we need to take hurricane preparedness more seriously. We only need to go back to 1992, when Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai with sustained winds of 145 mph. Let's examine what can be done with windows and doors to prevent hurricane damage to your home. A study by the University of Colorado in the mid-1990s looked at hurricane damage to residential structures and risk mitigation. Specifically it looked at the damaged caused by hurricanes Iniki and Andrew. Modern homes are constructed with more and larger openings than older homes. Entry doors are often double, sliding glass doors that replace regular doors, and attached garages often have double-width doors to hold two cars. The greater number and size of openings place homes at increased risk from hurricane forces. For example, according to the University of Colorado report, nearly every residential house or apartment in south Florida has at least one sliding glass door and frequently more, sometimes placed in adjacent walls. Sliding glass doors are at least 6 feet wide. Typical single family homes have attached garages many with double wide garage doors. Storm shutters for glass openings and doors are very uncommon. 24 February-March 2015 BMH Failure of windows and doors exposes the entire structure to increased force and loads. It has been estimated that an opening of only 5 percent in the windward side of a building will allow full pressurization of the interior, exerting uplift pressure on the roof and horizontal pressure against the interior walls. Because storm shutters for glass openings and doors are uncommon, thousands of houses affected during Hurricane Andrew in south Florida required interiors and furnishings to be completely removed and replaced because just one sliding glass door failed. The University of Colorado's report concludes that "wind-borne debris must be recognized as a significant factor in home damage, and even structural failure. Once the envelope of a home is punctured by debris, the interior of the home is exposed to the same forces of wind and water as the exterior. On the one hand, steps should be taken to reduce or control potential sources of debris. At the same time, homes should be constructed or retrofitted to strengthen doors and protect windows against debris penetration." For new construction, new building codes are addressing the structural connections in the home, specifically the roof www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii

Editor’s Note: Energy Management
Insider’s Guide to Picking a Security Company for Your Property
Industry News
Dealing with Graffiti and Glass Damage
Hawaii’s High-Tech Roofing Products
Building and Management Expo Set
Installing New & Improved Windows
Window Film Cuts Glare, Energy Bills
Reassessing Hurricane Preparedness
An ESA Can Deliver Peace of Mind
Checking a Building’s Energy Score
Managing PV Energy Consumption
The Ultimate Energy-Efficient Building
What to Know About Chiller Plants
New Trends Emerge in HVAC Systems
Walk-throughs Vital to Engineers
Trapped in the Web of Act 326
Faces: The IREM Banquet

Building Management Hawaii