Facility managers wanting to harden their facility against future hurricanes can look to the Institute for Business & Home Safety's FORTIFIED Commercial — Hurricane standards for ideas on next steps to take.
The standard takes an incremental approach to improving a commercial building's resistance to severe weather, with three levels of designation available. The entry-level (bronze) program focuses on enhancing roof performance to increase resilience to hurricanes. The standard calls out the wind pressure the roof would need to be designed to withstand for its zone, as well as calling out how roof decks should be sealed and roof-mounted structures be secured.
At the silver level, the standard adds requirements for the envelope, including windows and walls, as well as for the electrical and mechanical systems. The gold level adds a continuous load path and backup power requirements.
For facilities not in hurricane prone areas but still vulnerable to high wind and hail events, IBHS also has a FORTIFIED standard for those regions.
This Quick Read was submitted by Naomi Millán, senior editor, Building Operating Management. You can reach her at naomi.millan@tradepress.com. For more information on how to hurricane proof your roof, check out www.facilitiesnet.com/7367bom.
