10 Tips to Prepare Your Properties to Weather Windstorm Exposures

1. Buildings located next to open terrain such as fields, large bodies of water, parking lots and airport runways allow winds to blow unimpeded and strike with full force. Where possible, give preference to developing structures in built-up areas, with hilly or wooded terrain, or where man-made beams and embankments exist. Sometimes referred to as "ground roughness," these qualities help deflect and reduce wind gusts.
   
   
2. Remove all outdoor furniture, trash receptacles and other equipment to prevent them from acting as windblown missiles. Shield windows with hurricane shutters or plywood. Close and latch exterior doors and windows. Brace large doors at shipping and receiving docks.
   
   
3. If roofs and windows are damaged during windstorms, rain can enter the structure and cause significant damages, particularly to products such as chemicals, electronic instruments, food, pharmaceuticals, paper goods, roll paper, and metallic surfaces prone to rusting. In addition, all items stored on the floor are especially vulnerable to water accumulation. Where possible, avoid storing products on the floor, and rest process equipment on raised floor areas. Keep waterproof tarpaulins on hand to cover vulnerable equipment, materials in process and finished goods. Where possible, relocate materials away from windows.
   
   
4. To reduce risk of damage from falling or sliding masonry, avoid unreinforced parapets and decorative facades. Consider new roof coverings for those that are aging or deficient. Closely monitor contractors during construction projects to ensure product selection and installation are follow proper specifications.
   
   
5. When purchasing doors, choose rugged framing and sturdy products that will resist wind forces well. If open doorways and open sides are preferred in your building, roof design should provide for increased resistance to uplift in order to accommodate the high winds that will enter the building.
   
   
6. Consider replacing large expanses of windows with narrower windows and wall construction. Also consider replacing glass windows with laminated glazing systems that meet the criteria for missile resistance. Tightly install windows, doors, air conditioners and vents. Maintain well-sealed joints, replacing caulk and joint-covering trim as needed. Place shutters over windows to deflect wind-driven rain and protect the window glass.
   
   
7. In high wind areas, reduce the vulnerability of your roofs by using materials that have a good record for wind-resistance, such as poured reinforced or monolithic concrete. (Affiliated FM customers should check with Affiliated FM engineers to find out about the best options for roof design.) When using deck and above-deck components, be sure to select proper materials and ensure sufficient fastening (preferably with screws). Inadequate fastening can result in roofs loosening, peeling or blowing off buildings.
   
   
8. Roof gravel - which can add resistance to wear and ultraviolet radiation - can be blown off the roof in high winds and can break windows, damage equipment and mar building surfaces and door glazing. Prevent loose stones from blowing off roof by applying gravel over hot asphalt or coal tar and, once set, removing any remaining gravel from the site.
   
   
9. The most important single component of a roof system is its flashing. Flashing acts as a weather seal along the perimeter or a roof, at the junction of a roof and wall, and at junctions of roof covering and structures such as skylights and heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. During installation, prior to a storm and periodically throughout the year, make very sure that flashing is properly secured around the entire roof and at any auxiliary rooftop structures. When inspecting flashing, pull out on the lower edge - if it feels loose, resecure it by appropriate weather-resistant fasteners driven through washers.
   
   
10. Form an emergency organization (EO) that will anticipate the damage windstorms could potentially wreak on your facilities, and take precautionary measures to mitigate exposures. The EO should:

• Include personnel trained to take immediate action, and who have access to equipment and procedures for dealing with the effects of a windstorm.
  
  
• Quickly assess damage to the facility, and carefully attempt to restore facility operations.
  
  
• Communicate with any operating personnel remaining at your facility during a storm via phones, e-mail, two-way radio, CB radio, cellular phones, and even ham radio (redundant means of communication are vital considering the damage that may occur to utility poles, satellite dishes and transmission towers during a severe storm.
  
  
• Have a plan with security personnel to deter vandalism and looting in cases where many windows and doors are broken and the public has access to your facilities and equipment.
  
  
• Be kept up-to-date on the latest disaster planning and recovery training available.