Hurricanes are an unfortunate fact of life in Florida, even more than they are further up the East Coast.
That presents challenges for anyone constructing a steel building, be it big or small, and the good news is that steel buildings have natural advantages. Foremost among these is that steel has an element of ductility, the ability to bend rather than break, and then go back to its original shape.
Why Florida Presents Unique Construction Challenges
These extreme tropical storms typically come roaring across the Atlantic, through the Caribbean islands and onto our shores, making property owners nervous for six months of every year. But this is a great place to live in many other respects, so the construction challenges must be faced head-on, and both developers and architects are glad to have the steel building option.
The idea of being protected by insurance can be a thorny subject, and anyway, it is a secondary form of help that affects what happens after one of these ultra-violent weather events. As much as anyone would appreciate the help in getting back on their feet, we would all prefer to have remained standing and getting on with life all along.
How Wind Load Ratings are Engineered Into Steel Buildings
Wind load ratings determine the resilience of a building: how much of a storm it can cope with. They are governed by ASCE 7 standards, named after and set by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Within this are four categories ranging from low-hazard structures (including typically single-story buildings for agricultural purposes and the like) to “essential facilities” such as hospitals, fire stations and data centers.
That means that very early in a planning application, the building authorities need to know what this proposed building will be used for, so that construction standards can be implemented and observed.
What a 180 MPH Rating Actually Means in Practice
In hurricane-prone areas, a 180mph rating for a building is concerned with a highly severe windspeed and sets a standard for construction aimed at maintaining public safety in these extreme conditions. Constructions that adhere to this rating are felt to be sufficiently robust to literally weather the storm.
Beyond Wind: Humidity, Flood Zones, and Salt Air Considerations
Incredible windspeed is not the only aspect of a hurricane that needs to be considered. These areas are subject to high humidity and extreme rainfall, along with the salt content of air containing water that has been sucked up from the ocean and spat with incredible force at whatever stands in its way. Flooding is not just something you are left with after a hurricane: it starts immediately, making conditions even more hazardous and difficult to operate in.
All of these aspects of a hurricane therefore must be taken into account when designing and erecting a building, including steel ones.
Why Steel Consistently Outperforms Wood in Hurricane Zones
Imagine the reaction of a wooden building in the face of a hurricane. Timber is today a cherished material, appreciated for its beauty and/or how easy it is to work with. And sure, wood will bend a little in the face of extreme winds, but it will break far more quickly than steel.
The only reason the wood-building dwellers of old wouldn’t have headed for the hills as soon as they knew a hurricane was coming is that they wouldn’t have had advance information as we do now. Steel is stronger, doesn’t absorb water, and is more resistant to flying debris, which is yet another hazard in a tropical storm.
Getting a Hurricane-Rated Building: What to Ask Your Supplier
If you are planning to build in a hurricane area, you should certainly use a local contractor or contact Atlantic Steel Structures, who is accustomed to the conditions and the requirements they demand. You should outline immediately what the building is to be used for and draw on their experience as to how best you can safeguard staff, customers, livestock, and any materials you will be storing there.
It is not inevitable that you will be hit by a hurricane, but there is always the possibility, and you need a building that gives your business the best chance of surviving if the worst happens. The only answer is to bite the bullet, determine to what standard your building needs to be built, and use the very best materials – which means a lot of steel. For a free quote on your steel project, reach out to us here.
