Living in Florida we all know that June 1 marks the beginning of the hurricane season. With the beginning of the season, we recall past seasons, review the predictions, and prepare for the next. Will this season be like the record setting seasons of 2004 and 2005, or will we continue to experience lighter seasons similar to 2006 and 2007? Only time will tell. Regardless of the predictions, it is important to prepare your structure for potential hurricane conditions.

In addition to checking stores of the usual hurricane supplies, including food, water, first aid kits, etc., it is important that structures are properly prepared in the event of hurricane conditions. Protection of window and door openings is perhaps the single most important step in protecting a structure. Corrugated metal shutters and plywood are often used for protection from wind-borne debris. This also includes protection or reinforcement of overhead garage door openings. It should be noted that tape and window films do not prevent windows from failing; they merely prevent the glass shards from flying throughout the structure. While protecting the openings can help prevent the obvious water damage to the contents of a structure, they also serve to protect the envelope of the structure. Once the envelope of a structure is breached, the interior of the structure is pressurized by the high speed winds. Pressurization of the interior of a structure can result in greater damage to the structure, including removal of a portion or the entire roof structure.

Aluminum screen enclosures are often damaged as a result of hurricane conditions due to their light-weight construction. It is important to note that the Florida Building Code (FBC) has special requirements regarding the design and construction of aluminum structures, including special wind requirements. In fact according the 2004 FBC, solid panels in aluminum enclosures are to be removed when the winds are expected to exceed 75 m.p.h.

2004 FBC §2002.3.3 Vinyl and acrylic panels shall be removable. Removable panels shall be identified as removable by a decal. The identification decal shall essentially state "Removable panel SHALL be removed when wind speeds exceed 75 mph (34 m/s)." Decals shall be placed such that the decal is visible when the panel is installed.

Regardless of size or type of the structure, all structures in Florida should be prepared for hurricane season. If you would like information on preparing your structure for or recovering from a structural disaster, our disasters group is ready to assist you. Please contact Tim Roda at troda@brackenengineering.com.

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