Homeowner's Guide to Hurricane Retrofit -- 2002, IBHS

8/8/2019 Homeowner's Guide to Hurricane Retrofit -- 2002, IBHS

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Is Your Home Protected

From Hurricane Disaster?A Homeowners Guide to Hurricane Retrofit


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A Hom eow ners Guide to H urricane Retrof it

Prepared by the Institute for Business & Home Safety. The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)is an initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses,and human suffering caused by natural disasters. IBHS is a not-for-profit research and communicationsorganization committed to institutionalizing natural disaster protection as a public value.

d is c la i m e r

The purpose of this document is to provide homeowners with guidance on ways to retrofit one andtwo-family homes in order to reduce losses from hurricane winds. It contains suggestions and recommen-dations based on professional judgment, experience and research and is intended to serve only as a guide.The authors, contributors, and publisher disclaim all warranties and guarantees with respect to theinformation in the document and assume no liability or responsibility with respect to the information.

2002 Institute for Business & Home SafetyAll rights reserved.

ISBN-1-885312-14-8


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a c k n o w l e d g m e n t s

The staff of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) wishes to acknowledge the valuable input ofall those involved in the preparation of this brochure. In particular, we extend our thanks to:

W. Lawrence Schwab

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, Bloomington, Illinois

Ronald J. Hein

CNA Insurance Companies, Chicago, Illinois

Thomas J. Frost, AIA

Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Country Club Hills, Illinois

J.R. McDonald, PhD

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Photo from Hurricane Iniki. This photowas reprinted by permission of KHON-TV,channel 2, Honolulu, Hawaii.


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Photo of Hurricane Fran courtesy of NOAA.


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table of contents

in t roduct ion .......................................................................1

Take th e Righ t Preca utions ...............................................2

sur round i ng env i ronm ent ...............................................3

h o m e in s p e c t io n ..............................................................3

r o o f s ..................................................................................4

Do You N eed a New Asphalt Roof? .................................4

Will Retro fitt ing Your Asp halt Shing le Roof B e Eno ug h? .....6

Other Roo f Covering Prod ucts .........................................7

Wood Shakes and Shingles .................................................7Clay or Concrete Tile ........................................................7

Metal Shingles ................................................................7

Standing Seam Metal Roofs ................................................7

roo f s t ruc ture ..................................................................8

Attach Roof Sheathing w ith Ad hesive ................................8

Gab le End W alls ..............................................................9

Roof to Top of Wa ll Conne ction ........................................11

w all op e n ings .................................................................12

Bracing Your Garage Do or .............................................12

Doors ............................................................................14

Window and Patio Doo r Protec t ion ..................................15

Window/Patio Door Shutters .............................................15

Impact-Resistant Windows/Patio Doors ................................17

Impact-Resistant Standards ...............................................18

Window Film ................................................................19

w all to founda t ion c onne ct ion .....................................2 0

h o m e im p r o v e m e n t p r o je c t lis t....................................2 1

b e c o m p le t e ly p r e p a r e d b e f o r e a d is a s t e r s tr ik e s . . .. 2 3

r e f e r e n c e s .................................................... .................2 4

ap pe nd ix I: add it iona l sourc e s o f in fo rm at ion . . . . . . .. . . . 2 5

check l i s t ............................................... ..........................2 9

ta b le o f c o n te n ts


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introduction

urricanes are well known forcausing damage to homes andproperty, for destroying

family keepsakes, and for disrupt-ing family life. But, as thisbrochure explains, you can takeaction to protect your home. First,though, it helps to learn alittle more about the nature ofhurricanes. These large, slowmoving storms are often accompa-nied by rain as well as flooding,

storm surges, and wind that cancome from different directionswhile circling the eye of the storm.As a result, the wind affectsdifferent homes in profoundly dif-ferent ways, depending on theirdesign, location, and neighboringstructures.

Among other things, the wind cancollapse windows and doors, ripoff roof sheathing (decking) anddestroy gable end walls. Over-hanging eaves and rakes, extendedawnings, open porches, and otherfeatures that tend to trapair beneath them are particularlysusceptible to damage. Wind-bornedebris can break windows anddamage roof coverings and walls.With or without the help of

wind blown objects, the wind canbreak through a garage door,window, or door on the windwardside of the house and move inside,causing uplift forces to more thandouble. In fact, these powerfulforces, which are illustrated below,can literally lift the roof right offof the house.

in t roduct ion

H

Loss of op ening pro tect ion allow s w ind

entry and increases internal exposure.

1Drawings courtesy of FEMA.


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A Hom eow ners Guide to H urricane Retrof it2

Take the RightPrecautions

The most important precautionyou can take to reduce damage toyour home and property is toprotect the areas where wind canenter. According to recent windtechnology research, its importantto strengthen the exterior of yourhouse so wind and debris do nottear large openings in it. You cando this by protecting and reinforc-

ing these four critical areas:

roof

windows

doors

garage doors

A great time to start securing orretrofitting your house is whenyou are making other improve-ments or adding an addition. In

both cases, your local buildingcode will require that your workconform to certain requirements.And, although you may not needto comply with current coderequirements on the rest of yourhouse, this may be a good opportu-nity to do so. Remember: buildingcodes reflect the lessons expertshave learned from past catastrophes.Contact your local building codeofficial to find out what require-

ments are necessary for your homeimprovement projects.

Final No te

This brochure contains a check listof home improvement projects. If

you do them correctly, you maygreatly reduce the chance of hurri-cane damage. However, nothingcan guarantee total protection.Please follow the instructionsof your local authorities if toldto evacuate, even if you havecompleted these projects.

Also, remember that these guide-lines are broad and you should

consult with a registered designprofessional about specializeditems. In addition, while you or abuilding contractor can performsome of the procedures inthis guide, someone with anengineering background shouldoversee others. For example, onlysomeone with engineering expertisecan design a roof sheathingfastening schedule and determinethe correct way to connect the roof

to the wall.


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surrounding environment home inspect ion3

If your house is in an unobstructedlocation or within 1500 feetof open water, you are moresusceptible to damages caused byhigh winds and should considerthis when planning your homeimprovement project. Alsoremember that mobile homes,outbuildings, barns, fences, screenenclosures, carports, awnings andcanopies can produce wind-borne

debris that can tear openings intoyour house, letting in damagingrain and wind. In addition, objectssuch as garbage cans, bicycles,lawn furniture, tree limbs,landscaping pebbles and smallrocks can become wind-borne,damaging roofs, walls andwindows. By properly protectingand maintaining your home and

property, you can minimizepotential damage to your neigh-bors and your property.

You can inspect your house to seeif retrofitting is necessary. If youare uncertain whether your houseneeds certain changes, or have anyquestions about your ability toinspect your house, call a qualifiedprofessional architect, engineer,building contractor, or your localbuilding department.

Either you or a building

contractor can build andinstall temporary shutterson windows and coveringsfor patio and entry doors,strengthen and stiffengarage doors, and installheavy-duty door hardware.However, an experiencedinstaller should installimpact resistant doors andwindows or approved hur-ricane shutters in accor-

dance with manufacturersrecommendations. And aroofing professional canbest determine when youshould replace an agedroof. You will also need a

surroundinge n v i r o n m e n t

Example of

failure o f the

house envelope .

h o m einspect ion


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4

professional to determine how wella door or window frame is

anchored to the exterior walls.

Your local building department canbe a good source to get informa-tion about retrofitting projects.And remember, although many ofthe retrofitting projects shown inthis brochure do not require build-ing permits, you should contactyour local building official to makesure the retrofitting measures youare intending to undertake do not

require a building permit. Yourlocal building official can help youwith the permit process if yourequire one.

Do You Ne ed a N ewAsp halt Roof?

Sooner or later, all roofing needs tobe replaced. If a roof covering isold and worn, patching or limitedrepairs wont help. A roof tends towear uniformly in most parts ofthe country, and even the best roof-ing materials will eventuallysuccumb to weathering. Roofing

in extreme wind and heat stateslike Florida will tend to have shorterlife-spans than in other places.

How can you recognize whenyour roof has problems? Twice a

year, do the following:

On a sunny day, go up to yourattic and use a flashlight toinspect for stains caused byleaks.

Indoors, look for cracked paint,discolored gypsum board, andpeeling wallpaper as signs ofdamaged roof areas.

Check downspouts for signs ofexcessive granule loss. Althoughmost shingle manufacturers guar-antee their products to last 20years, many roofs with standardasphalt shingles over 15 years oldneed reroofing, especially inextreme weather climates.


r o o f s

Example o f typical

roo fing failure. Roo f

covering, underlay-

m ent, and sheathing

blow n- off. Espec ially

along roof eaves

and rakes where

w ind forces are

m ost severe.


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5

Use binoculars toinspect the roof

from the ground,looking for cracked,curled or missingshingles, excessiveloss of protectivemineral granules,loose seams or dete-riorated flashing,

and other visible signs of roofproblems.

BEWARE: Do not walk on the

roof. It is dangerous and maydamage the shingles.

Local ordinances allow homeownersto place asphalt shingles over oldshingles. However, for a moresecure roof during hurricanes andother high winds, we recommendremoving the old shingles beforeinstalling the new ones.

If you decide to remove all the oldshingles, also remove the underly-ing building paper to expose the

roof sheathing. Inspectthe old roof sheathing todetermine whether it isrotted, warped, orunsound. If so, replacethese sections withsheathing material of thesame thickness.

Reroofing is also a greatopportunity to inexpen-sively secure the entireroof. Heres what you do:

1. Remove the bottom row of roofsheathing at the eave lines.

2. Check to see if the roof is fas-tened to the top of the exteriorwall with metal hurricane strapsor clips that provide the propermeasure of strength and safety.(The common practice of toe-nailing the trusses or raftersoften is not sufficient to hold aroof in place in high winds.)These clips or straps are usuallyvery difficult to see from theattic because of insulation.

3. If not properly fastened, install ahurricane clip/strap whereeach roof rafter meets theexterior wall.

4.Refasten the roof sheathingremoved in step #1, and fastenroof sheathing along the roofcorners, ridges, and eaves, wherewind pressure has a tendency togrow more intense, by installingadditional eight-penny ringshank nails or #8 screws fourinches apart. Be careful not touse too many nails or screws,which can split the plywood and

weaken your roof. Sheathingwhich is not located on the edgesor ridges of the roof should haveeight-penny nails or #8 screws atevery six inches.

roofs

hurricane strap

hurricane clip

toe na il


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6

5. Install roofing felt paper usingthe double layer application

method with tin type fastenersand new shingles with six nailsper shingle. For additionalstrength, secure the tabs of theshingles with quick-settingasphalt cement.

W ill Retro fitting YourAsp halt Shing le Roo fBe Enough?

Shingles are usually not designedto resist hurricane force winds.

They come with integral lock-ing tabs or factory-applied

adhesives that on occasion donot adhere properly to theunderlying shingle because ofcold weather installation,uneven surfaces or any num-ber of other reasons. Forincreased wind resistance,have a qualified personinspect several shingle tabs to see ifthe adhesive has engaged. If not,use a quick-setting asphalt cementto bond them together.


ARMAs

recommended

asphalt

shingle

installation

in high w ind

regions

Photos from Hurricane Iniki.These photos were reprinted by permission of KHON-TV, channel 2, Honolulu, Hawaii.


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roofs

To cement the shingle tabs to theunderlying shingles, place twospots of quick-setting asphaltcement about the size of a quarterunder each tab with a putty knifeor caulking gun. Press the tab intothe adhesive. Be sure to cement alltabs throughout the roof, beingcareful not to bend them fartherthan necessary when applying theadhesive. Replace any damaged

shingles immediately.

You can get additional informationon asphalt roof shingles by con-tacting the Asphalt RoofingManufacturers Association.

Other Roo f Co veringProducts

Wood Shakes and Shingles

Clay or Concrete Tile

Metal Shingles

Standing Seam M etal Roofs

Clay tiles are brittle, and can easilybe chipped or broken by wind-

borne debris. In fact, the tiles them-selves can become wind-borne.

You can have a more secure roof bymaking sure that all shingles/tiles/panels are fastened down tightlyand by replacing the ones that aremissing or loose. Hiring a roofingprofessional to evaluate your roofcovering is a good option for thenovice homeowner.

At this time, thereare no cost-effectiveretrofit measureswhich we can recom-mend if you havethese types of roofcoverings. Pleasecontact the roofcovering manufac-turers listed in theAppendix that areassociated with yourtype of roof for addi-tional information.

7

doub le layer

under layment

application

NO TE: NAIL WITH 1-IN. DIA TIN TYPE FASTENERS


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Attach Roof Sheathingw ith Adhe sive

You can also improve the upliftresistance of the roof deck from theattic without removing the roofcovering. This is how:

Using a caulking gun, apply a 1/4 -inch bead of wood adhesivealong the intersection of the roofdeck and the roof support element(rafter or truss chord) on bothsides. Make sure that the adhesiveis in contact with both the deck

and roof support elements.

At places where you have limitedaccess to either side of the roofsupport, such as the gable end ofthe house, use quarter-round

pieces of wood which run thefull length of the roof support.Apply the adhesive along thetwo adjacent sides of the woodblock. Press the wood piecesonto the intersection makingsure the adhesive is in contactwith the deck and roof supportelements. The wood pieces canbe tack-nailed or clamped inplace to ensure good contactbetween the surfaces.

Attics are typically tight,enclosed areas with poor ventila-tion. When applying the adhe-sive, be sure to follow the direc-tions for proper application andventilation.

8

P la n V ie w

1

Quarter roundwood piece

1 S E C T I O N

Application ofAdhesive to

Im prove RoofDeck Uplif tResistance

r o o fs t ruc tu re


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9

According to static pressure tests1,using the wood adhesive can

increase the wind uplift resistanceof the plywood roof sheathing byas much as three times the conven-tional method of securing thesheathing with nails. A variety ofwood adhesives are available atlocal hardware and building supplystores. In particular, look for prod-ucts which are certified as AFG-01.Please ask your local hardwareexpert if other products are avail-able that could provide the same

strength and properties as a woodadhesive.

Gab le End Walls

Does your home have a gabledroof? If so, the end wall of yourhome takes a tremendous beatingduring a hurricane. If not properlybraced, it can collapse, causingsignificant damage. However, gableend walls are easy to strengthenand deserve to be a high priorityon your retrofit list.

Typically, gable end trusses aredirectly attached to the topof gable end walls. The bottom ofthe truss must be securely nailedto the top of the wall and braced toadjacent trusses. This prevents

wind from pushing or pullingthe gable end at its criticalpoint, where the gable truss isconnected along the gable wall.

roof structure

1Reinhold, Timothy A., Use of Adhesives to Strengthen the Attachment of Roof Sheathing to Trusses orRafters for Improved Uplift Resistance in High Winds, a Question and Answer Format Report prepared forThe Institute for Business & Home Safety, January, 1998.

Photos from Hurricane Iniki. These photoswere reprinted by permission of KHON-TV,channel 2, Honolulu, Hawaii.


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Strengthen your

gable end w all

Section View

Detail

10

Without adequate bracing, the endwall may be destroyed duringhurricane winds.

To secure your gable end wall,fasten eight-foot long braces to thebottom chord of the gable trussand the adjacent trusses withsixteen-penny (16d) nails. Thebraces should be perpendicularto the truss, spaced at a maximumof four feet on center. In addition,be sure to tie back the gable trusswith at least one eight-foot longbrace, along the ridge of the roof,to several of the interior trussesas shown in the detail.


New 7/16spacer


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roof structure11

Typical hurricane clips

for w ood f rame and

masonry construct ion.

Roof to Top of W all

Connect ion

Areas where the roof framing meetsthe top of stud walls are normallycovered by dry wall on the insideand by wall cladding and soffitboard on the outside. To installstraps or hurricane clips, removethe roof sheathing around theperimeter of the roof to reveal thetop of the wall. You may also needto remove the soffit and exteriorcladding to reveal the top 12 to 18inches of the wall. In addition, ifthe exterior cladding is brick

veneer, you may need to removesmall sections of brick as needed.

If your roof has trusses, make sureyou tie them to the wall by eitheranchoring to the top plate and thenthe top plate to the wall stud, orstrapping the truss directly to the wallstud. The figures shown illustrate

ways you can anchor the roof to thetop of the wall of wood or masonryhomes with straps or connectors.

Details courtesy of Simpson Strong-Tie.


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12

Brac ing YourGarage Doo r

Because of their width, double-wide garage doors are moresusceptible to wind damage thansingle doors. Unless you have atested hurricane resistant door, thewind may force it out ofthe roller track especially if the

track is light weight or some of theanchor bolts are not in place. Thisoccurs because the door deflectstoo much under excessive windpressure and fails.

To secure your garage door:

Check with your local govern-ment building official to see ifthere are code requirements forgarage doors in your area.

Check with your local buildingsupplier or garage door retailerto see if a retrofit kit is availablefor your garage door.

You should proba-bly reinforce yourdouble-wide garagedoor at their weak-est points. Thisinvolves installinghorizontal and/orvertical bracingonto each panel,using wood or

light gauge metalgirts bolted to thedoor millions. Youmay also needheavier hinges andstronger end andvertical center sup-ports for yourdoor.

If you decide to retrofit yourgarage door with a kit that allowsyou to operate the door after it isinstalled, make sure the dooris balanced by lowering it about

halfway and lettinggo. If the door goesup or down, thesprings will needadjusting. Note:Since the springs aredangerous, only a

professional should

adjust them.


w a ll o p e n ings

Gable End Wall and Ga rage

Doo r Failure. Exam ples of

inadeq uate bracing to p rovide

proper load transfer.


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If you are unable to retrofit your garagedoor with a kit specifically designed foryour door, you can purchase garagedoor retrofit kits to withstand hurri-cane winds at your local buildingsupply store. Also, check to see if thesupplier can do the installation.

13w all openings

Drawings courtesy of Garage Safety Inc.


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14A Hom eow ners Guide to H urricane Retrof it

Doors

Your home has either doubleor single entry doors. If theyare solid wood or hollowmetal they probably can resistwind pressures and hurricanedebris. However, if you arenot sure whether they arestrong enough, take these pre-cautions:

Install head and foot boltson the inactive door of

double entry doors.

Make sure your doors haveat least three hinges and adead bolt security lockwhich has a minimum oneinch bolt throw length.

Since double entry doors failwhen their surface bolts break atthe header trim or threshold,check the connections at bothplaces. Be sure the surface boltextends into the door header andthrough the threshold into thesubfloor.


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15

W indo w s and Pat ioDoo r Protec t ion

In the following section, we presentseveral viable ways to protect yourwindows and doors against damageduring a hurricane. We are oftenasked whether masking tape or anyother type of tape placed across the

glass will provide protection againststorm debris the unequivocalanswer is NO. Hurricanes are devas-tating forces of nature and more sub-stantial protection is required towithstand their wrath.

Window/ Patio Door Shutters

One way to protect a home fromdamage in windstorms is to installimpact-resistant shutters over alllarge windows and glass doors. Notonly do they protect doors andwindows from wind-borne objects,but they can reduce damage causedby sudden pressure changes when a

window or door is broken.

The easiest designs are those thatsimply cover the opening with a

structural panel such as plywood.In past hurricanes, many home-owners , upon re turn ing , have

noticed their temporary plywood

shutters blew off because they were

not adequately fastened. If youhave a wood-frame house, use ade-quate fasteners to attach the panelsover the openings when a hurri-cane approaches. Have these tem-porary shutters stored and ready touse since building supply stores

generally sell out of these materialsquickly during a hurricane warn-ing. If your home is made with con-crete blocks, however, you will haveto install anchoring devices well inadvance.

The APA - The Engineered WoodAssociation offers a series ofHurricane Shutter Designs. Theyinclude:

DESIGN 1:

Shutters for Wood-FrameBuildings

DESIGN 2:

Shutters for Masonry BlockStructures, Barrel Bolt LatchSupports

DESIGN 3:

Shutters for Masonry BlockStructures, Steel or AluminumAngle and Screw Supports

w all openings


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16A Hom eow ners Guide to H urricane Retrof it

Plyw oo d H urrica ne Shutter Design 1

Courtesy of APA - The Engineered Wood Association


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17

DESIGN 4:

Shutters for Masonry Block

Structures, Shutters Attached toOutside Wall with PermanentlyMounted Brackets

DESIGN 5:

Shutters for Masonry BlockStructures, For Openings Widerthan 8 Feet

The detail illustrations show howyou can install shutters into a

wood-frame home (APA Design 1).

Each design is available fromAPA - The Engineered WoodAssociation.

If your residence has permanentshutters, evaluate their effectiveness.Manufacturers are responsible fortesting their shutters up to thestandards necessary to resist wind

forces and wind-borne debris.Some shutters are very flexible,especially those that roll up.

If struck by a rigid piece of debris,shutters may bend and break thewindow. To determine whetheryour shutter can resist this impact,gently lean against it and see if ityields. You can also inspect yourshutters to see if they are properlyattached to the house and will not

fly off during a storm by inspectingthe shutter connectors for obviousexcessive wear or missing connec-tors. Ask the shutter manufacturerfor proper installation criteria.

Impact-Resistant Windows/

Patio Doors

Another way to protect your homefrom damage in windstorms isthrough the installation of impact -resistant windows and doors.Although these products look nodifferent than standard windowsand doors, they offer significantlymore protection from wind-bornedebris. In fact, these systems arecapable of resisting impacts fromlarge objects. For this reason,

temporary shutters do not need tobe installed before a storm strikes.

In general, the frame and glazingwork together to protect yourhome from both the elements andthe significant internal pressurechanges which lead to structuraldamage. While large wind-bornedebris may crack the impactresistant glass during the courseof the storm, the window isdesigned to retain its integrity andnot break apart. Should either theframe or glass be damaged, it canbe repaired at your convenienceafter the storm has passed.

Consider installing impact-resistantwindows and doors when yourexisting windows and doorsrequire replacement or when youare planning new construction.

w all openings


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18

You can purchase certifiedwindows and doors throughqualified manufacturers at localbuilding supply stores. There area variety of different systems;however, the best impact -resistantwindows and doors typicallyconsist of either laminated glass,plastic glazing, or combinationplastic and glass systems. Be surethat the installation guidelines are

followed carefully.

Impact-Resistant Standards

Currently, several different organi-zations have missile impacttest standards. Permanent andtemporary shutters, in additionto impact-resistant window anddoor systems, should meet one orall of these standards:

SSTD-12Southern Building CodeCongress International TestStandard for DeterminingImpact Resistance FromWind-borne Debris

Impact Test Procedures forMetropolitan Dade CountyBuilding Code Compliance

Office:

PA-201-94: Impact TestProcedures

PA-202-94: Criteria forTesting Impact and Non-Impact-Resistant BuildingEnvelope Components UsingUniform Static Air Pressure

PA-203-94: Criteria forTesting Products Subject toCyclic Wind Pressure Loading

ASTM E 1886:Standard Test Methodfor Performance of ExteriorWindows, Curtain Walls,Doors and Storm ShuttersImpacted by Wind-borneDebris in Hurricanes.


Impact-Resistant

Window Af ter

Direct Blow

From Debr is

Photo Courtesy of Solutia


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19

Window Film

Some homeowners have consideredwindow film as an alternative toother window protection systems.The most common method ofinstalling window film is known asdaylight installation. Theprocess involves pre-cutting theadhesive-backed film to a sizeslightly larger than the window-pane to which it will be applied.Then, at the time of installation,the film is trimmed back to the size

of the windowpane.

One of the most common typesof window film is known assafety film. This type of filmshould never be less than 4 mils inthickness. Typically, safety filmproducts meet the same break-safe

requirements as tempered safetyglass. This means that the safetyfilm should hold the glass shardstogether, thus preventing a poten-tial hazard from sharp, brokenglass. Safety film may also offera degree of protection in the caseof high winds, but should not beconsidered adequate protection forwindows in hurricane-prone areas.

As a homeowner in a hurricane-

prone area, you should alwayspurchase a product or systemwhich has been tested and certifiedas passing one of the previouslymentioned impact-resistant stan-dards. To date, no daylightinstalled window film, regardlessof its thickness, has passed anyimpact-resistant standard.

w all openings

Normal

Window After

Hurricane

Photo Courtesy of P. Beers


26/35

2 0

To complete your home strength-ening process, make sure theexterior walls are anchored tothe foundation. Although this isnot as critical as some of the other

tasks on your list, an inadequateconnection between the wall andfoundation could weaken yourentire home. This is especially trueif you live in a one-story homewith large roof truss spans anda low-sloped roof.

Make sure the wall studs are ade-quately connected to the sill plate,which sits directly on top of thefoundation wall. Metal clips are

available at your building supplystore for this task. Then drill holesthrough the existing sill plate intothe concrete foundation to installthe anchor bolts. Place the holes asclose to the center of the sill plateas possible using epoxy anchorswhich you can find at your local

building supply store.

An engineer should determine theminimum bolt spacing for the forceanalysis of the shear and upliftloads. But placing 5/8-inch diame-ter anchor bolts no more than sixfeet apart, with an anchor bolt atthe end of each wall, provides anextra measure of safety for yourhome. Unfortunately, if you have a

concrete masonry block home,verifying that the exterior wallis connected to the foundation isextremely difficult. In that case, thebest method to make sure that allrequired reinforcing is present andinstalled correctly is to inspect forit while the home is being built.


Detail of properw all stud to s ill

plate to found ation

connections.

w a ll tofoundat ion

c o n n e c t i o n


27/35

2 1hom e im provem ent project list

Gather outdoor furniture,garbage cans, potential debris,etc., and move them inside.Encourage your neighbors to dothe same.

Replace gravel/rock landscapingmaterial with shredded bark.

Keep trees and shrubberytrimmed. Cut weak branchesand trees that could fall or bumpagainst the house. When trim-ming, try to create a channelthrough the foliage to the centerof the tree to allow for air flow.Keep climbing roses and vinestrimmed back.

Screened porches and other

similar areas are usually first tosuffer damage, so make sure theporch is properly attached. (Theindustry has no standards yet foradequate performance of porchscreens in hurricane winds).

Reinforce the double-entry doorswith heavy duty foot and headbolts, and use a security deadbolt lock with one inch mini-mum bolt throw length.

Reinforce the double garagedoor and tracks.

If you find that the roof sheath-ing is not adequately attached:

- use adhesive to attach thesheathing to the rafters

- use extra 8d (8 penny) nails or#8 screws if you need to reroof

Brace the gable end walls androof trusses.

ho m e im p ro ve m e nt

p ro je c t lis this list of home improvements is divided into cost categories. Youcan tackle these projects one at a time, but remember, the more youdo, the stronger your home will be against hurricane winds.T

Category $

(


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2 2A Hom eow ners Guide to H urricane Retrof it

Install hurricane clips/strapsconnecting roof rafters/trussesto the side walls.

Install tested/manufacturedhurricane shutters.

Check to see if the exterior wallsare connected to the foundationproperly if you have a wood-frame house. If your househas masonry type construction,you will need professionalassistance which will increasethe costs considerably.

Replace roof covering andduring reroofing:

1. Strip off the old roof coveringsto expose existing sheathing.

2. Inspect existing sheathing tomake sure it is properly attachedand refasten as necessary.

3. Remove bottom row ofsheathing to inspect wall-roofframing connection and installhurricane clips/straps as neces-sary (adds only a slight extracost to a reroofing project).

4. Replace the sheathing.

5. Apply a double layer of feltpaper underlayment or a singlelayer of adhesive backed rub-berized asphalt sheet water-proofing underlayment.

6. Install roof covering shinglesthat are rated for hurricane-force winds based on the man-ufacturers recommendations.Apply additional adhesives as

needed.

Cover all large windows andpatio doors with securely fas-tened storm shutters made fromplywood.

Replace double garage door withhurricane wind load testedgarage door.

Category $$

($300 - $1000)

Category $$$

(>$1000)


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2 3be c om pletely prepared b efore a disaster strikes

Implementing the techniques rec-ommended in this brochure givesyou and your family a better chanceof surviving a natural disaster. Butthese steps are only the beginning.To protect yourself as fully aspossible you should also:

Become familiar with yourcommunitys disaster prepared-ness plans and create a familyplan. Plan an escape route fromyour home and neighborhoodand designate an emergencymeeting place for the family toreunite if you leave in separatevehicles. Also establish a contactpoint to communicate withconcerned relatives.

Periodically review your home-owners insurance policy withyour insurance agent or companyto make sure you have sufficientcoverage to enable you torebuild your home and life.Remember, your homeownersinsurance policy does not coverdamage caused by floods. Floodinsurance is provided by thefederal government through theNational Flood InsuranceProgram. If you are in a flood-prone area, you should purchaseflood insurance. Contact your

agent or company representa-tive, or call 1-800-427-4661.

Put together an emergency kitthat includes a three-day supplyof drinking water and foodrequiring no refrigeration and,generally, no cooking; first aidsupplies; a portable NOAAweather radio; a flashlight;emergency cooking equipment;portable lanterns and batteries.

If a weather-related disasterthreatens, follow weather andnews reports so you know howmuch danger youre facing. Andobey evacuation orders fromlocal authorities. No materialpossession is worth risking yourhealth, let alone your life.

b e c o m p le te ly p r e p a r e db e fo r e a d is a s te r s tr ik e s


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American Plywood Association.

Hurricane Andrew: Structural

Performance of Buildings in

Southern Florida. Report T92-21. Tacoma, WA: APA, 1992.

American Plywood Association.Hurricane Shut ter Designs.

Form Nos. T451B, T452B,T453B, and T455B. Tacoma,

WA: APA, 1995.

American Red Cross, et. al.

Against the Wind: Protecting

Your Home From Hurricane

Wind Damage. Washington,DC: American Red Cross;Federal Emergency ManagementAgency, 1993.

Asphalt Roof Manufacturing

Association. Residential AsphaltRoofing Manual. ARMA FormNo. 421-RR-84. Rockville,MD: ARMA, 1993.

Federal Emergency ManagementAgency. Hurricane Andrew:Building Performance

Assessment: Observations,

Conclusions, and

Recommendations. Washington,

DC: FEMA, 1993.

Haag Engineering Company.

Hurricane Andrew Survey

Damage Assessment Code

Compliance. Carrollton, TX:Haag Engineering, 1992.

McDonald, J.R. and Yu Feng.Hurricane Retrofit Guidelines

for One and Two Family

Homes. DRAFT Report for the

Insurance Institute for PropertyLoss Reduction. Lubbock, TX:Texas Tech University, 1997.

Southern Building Code CongressInternational, Inc. Standard forHurricane Resistant Residential

Construction SSTD 10-97.

Birmingham, AL: SBCCI, 1996.

The Weather Channel and Home

Depot. Hurricane. Atlanta: TheWeather Channel; Home Depot.

r e f e r e n c e s

Photo from Hurricane Iniki. This photo was reprinted bypermission of KHON-TV, channel 2, Honolulu, Hawaii.


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APA - The Engineere d

Wo od Assoc iation (APA)

P.O. Box 11700Tacoma, WA 98411-0700Tel: 253-565-6600Fax: 253-565-7265http://www.apawood.org/

Am erican Society o f CivilEngineers (ASCE)

1801 Alexander Bell DriveReston, VA 20191-4400Tel: 703-295-6300Fax: 703-295-6333http://www.asce.org/

Ame rican Society of Ho m e

Inspectors (ASHI)

932 Lee Street, Suite 101

Des Plaines, IL 60016Tel: 800-743-2744http://www.ashi.com/Fax: 847-759-1620

Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers

Assoc iation (ARM A)

6000 Executive Blvd., Suite 201Rockville, MD 20852Tel: 301-231-9050Fax: 301-881-6572

Building O fficials & Cod e

Adm inistrators International,

Inc. (BOCA)

4051 West Flossmoor RoadCountry Club Hills, IL60478-5795Tel: 708-799-2300Fax: 708-799-4981

http://www.bocai.org/

Ced ar Shake & Shing le

Bure au (CSSB)

P.O. Box 1178Sumas, WA 98004Tel: 604-462-8961Fax: 604-462-9386http://www.cedarbureau.org

Door & Access Systems

ManufacturersAssoc iations International

(DASMA)

1300 Sumner AvenueCleveland, OH 44115-2851Tel: 216-241-7333Fax: 216-241-0105

a p p e nd ix I: a d d it io na l

so urc e s o f in fo rm a t io n

2 5appendix I


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Federal Emergenc y

Managem ent Agency

(FEMA)

500 C Street, SWWashington, DC 20472Tel: 202-646-3923Fax: 202-646-3930www.fema.gov

Institute for Bu siness &

Ho m e Safety (IBHS)

4775 E. Fowler Ave.Tampa, FL 33617

Tel: 813-286-3400Fax: 813-286-9960www.ibhs.org

International Code Counc il

(ICC)

5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 708Falls Church, VATel: 703-931-4533Fax: 703-379-1546www.intlcode.org

International Conferenc e o f

Bu ild ing Officials (ICB O)

5360 South Workman Mill RoadWhittier, CA 90601-2298Tel: 310-699-0541

Fax: 310-692-3853www.icbo.org

A Hom eow ners Guide to H urricane Retrof it2 6


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2 7

Inte rnational Windo w Film

Association

318-A Brown StreetP.O. Box 3871Martinsville, VA 24115-3871Tel: 540-666-4932Fax: 540-666-4933www.iwfa.com

M etal Roo fing SystemsAssociation

1300 Summer Ave.

Cleveland, OH 44115-2851Tel: 216-241-7333Fax: 216-241-0105www.mbma.com/welcome.htm

M etropol itan Dade Co unty

Building Code Compliance Office140 W. Flagler Street, Suite 1603Miami, FL 33130Tel: 305-375-2901

Fax: 305-375-2908www.buildingcodeonline.com

National Association of

Hom e Bui lders (NAHB)

1201 15th Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20005Tel: 202-822-0200Fax: 703-243-3465www.nahb.com

National Association of the

Remo deling Industry

4900 Seminary Rd., Suite 320Alexandria, VA 22311Tel: 703-276-7600Fax: 703-243-3465www.nari.org

National Roofing Co ntracto rs

Assoc iation (NRCA)

10255 West Higgins Road,Suite 600Rosemont, IL 60018-5607Tel: 847-299-9070Fax: 847-299-1183www.roofonline.org

Na tiona l Tile Ro ofing

Manufacturers Association

(NTRMA)

P.O. Box 40337Eugene, OR 974404-0049Tel: 503-689-0366Fax: 503-689-5530

Southe rn Building Co de

Cong ress International, Inc.

(SBCCI)

900 Montclair RoadBirmingham, AL 35213-1206Tel: 205-591-1853Fax: 205-592-7001www.sbcci.org

appendix I


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4775 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, FL 336171(866) 657 4247(IBHS) Fa (813) 286 9960 wwwibh r

Documents

Homeowner's Guide to Hurricane Retrofit -- 2002, IBHS