Hurricane Damage Inspection, Repair, Prevention
Guides for entering, inspecting & repairing buildings damaged by hurricanes

DISASTERS: BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR

HURRICANE DAMAGE
MOLD DAMAGE - separate article
WIND DAMAGE - separate article

Questions & Answers about how to assess hurricane damage to your home, how to repair hurricane damage, & how to prevent future hurricane damage to your building.
References

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Hurricane damage assessment & damage repair or restoration procedures. This article series provides residential & light construction hurricane damage assessment procedures for buildings following hurricanes or tropical storms and wind damage. We discuss safe building entry procedures, setting the priority for repairs, and we give more detailed building inspection advice for building structures such as foundations & framing, and inspection and restoration of building mechanical systems. We discuss initial or rapid steps to minimize building damage such as proper procedures for water removal, dryout, prevention of avoidable mold growth control, mold cleanup. We also include links and citations to expert sources for emergency relief (FEMA, ARC in the U.S.), and we cite scholarly books and articles on building damage prevention. Our page top photo shows wind-damaged siding following a hurricane-type storm.

Hurricane Damage to Buildings: inspection, assessment, repair, prevention + hurricane safety advice

Flooding in Comonfort, Guanajuato, Mexico (C) 2009 Daniel Friedman

If a hurricane is likely in your area, these are things you should do:

Listen to the radio or TV for information.
Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
Moor your boat if time permits.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

When to leave your home in the face of a coming storm, hurricane, cyclone, or similar severe weather

Leave your home if you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
Temporary structures are particularly vulnerable to storm damage and therefore are not safe places to stay if a hurricane is coming.
Because hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations above ground, a tall building such as a high-rise apartment or hotel can be dangerous in a hurricane. In an otherwise secure apartment near the top of a Chicago high rise we [DF] saw first hand how strong winds blowing off of the lake sent a torrent of water through the unit's lake-facing windows and doors. Damage from broken, flying glass was still worse.
Buildings or private homes found on a coast, in a floodplain, including homes that are located near a river, or an inland waterway are at risk of being severely flooded and can even trap occupants who first flee to upper floors without understanding that in some areas flood waters can exceed even the rooftop height.
Leave your home even if the conditions described above are not present but for any other reason you feel you are in danger. Examples might include risk of freezing from loss of heat, people who require special medical equipment that may fail during a storm, or if you live in an area where you feel unsafe due to violence.

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines

Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

Hurricane Damage Prevention Advice for Homeowners

Watch out: the first priority in event of a hurricane is getting out of your home and to a safe location. See Hurricane Safety Preparation - basic advice from FEMA & other sources
Storm shutters: storm shutters that have been properly built, installed, and maintained are important to avoid building damage during a hurricane.

Sketch at left of two types of storm shutters from FEMA [8].

Weather, salt, corrosion can prevent storm shutter operation when needed by making the shutters jam and fail to close. Quoting from FEMA's "Protection of Openings - Shutters and Glazing",

According to the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), hurricane-prone regions are areas vulnerable to hurricanes such as:

1. The U.S. Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts where the basic wind speed is greater than 90 mph1 (40 m/s).

2. Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

Watch out: only install and use storm shutters or storm-resistant windows and doors that have been tested and approved and that bear a certification label indicating that the product has been tested and certified for impact resistance. (ASTM E1996-09 is an example standard for hurricane shutter. Additional standards for hurricane & wind resistance of structures are at the end of this article. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18].

Also make sure that the storm shutters are properly secured to the building. In coastal areas where there may be salt spray we've found (from my mom-DF) that roll-down type storm shutters may jam and fail to operate in an emergency - so it's a good idea to check the operation of these devices at least annually. FEMA adds these storm shutter protection code citations:

Sections 1609.1.2 and R301.2.1.2, of the 2009 editions of the IBC and IRC, respectively, address the Protection of Openings. These sections state that in wind-borne debris regions, glazing in buildings shall be impact resistant or protected with an impact- resistant covering that meets the requirements of an approved impact-resistant standard or the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards ASTM E 1996 and ASTM E 1886. [8]
Impact-resistant "hurricane glass"- a more costly improvement (used by our mom in Boca Raton FL) is the installation of "hurricane proof" shatter-resistant glass. For people who are in a more remote location and who themselves may be unable to operate their storm shutters in an emergency this safety improvement may be appropriate. But

Watch out: hurricane-proof glass may not be all that "proof". The Espiritu Santo building in Brickell, the Four Seasons, and other glass towers in Florida all were badly damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Wilma. The large-object impact resistance of "hurricane glass" depends not only on the glass itself but the structure of the wall into which it is installed and the adequacy of the installation. See "Performance of Glass/Cladding..."
Structural wood panels (plywood, OSB) for protection of building windows & doors against hurricane damage are an acceptable alternative to hurricane or storm shutters or impact-resistant windows and doors. But FEMA warns that the panels must be adequately secured in place on the building. Otherwise the risk is that the panels themselves become airborne hazards during the hurricane or other storm.

Under provisions of the IRC, wood structural panels are permitted for buildings with a mean roof height of 33 feet (10,058 mm) or less where wind speeds do not exceed 130 mph2 (58 m/s). [7]

Wood structural panels could be used as an alternative to provide protection so long as they meet local building code requirements. Panel attachment should be in accordance with Table 1609.1.2 (IBC) and Table R301.2.1.2 (IRC) and installed using corrosion-resistant attachment hardware and anchors permanently installed on the building. Under provisions of the IBC, wood structural panels are permitted for Group R-3 and R-4 buildings with a mean roof height of 45 feet (13,716 mm) or less where wind speeds do not exceed 140 mph (63 m/s). Under provisions of the IRC, wood structural panels are permitted for buildings with a mean roof height of 33 feet (10,058 mm) or less where wind speeds do not exceed 130 mph2 (58 m/s). Figure 1 shows a house utilizing wood structural panels to provide opening protection.[8]
Structural connections: if a hurricane is coming, it's almost certainly too late to start modifying your home's structure to make it more earthquake or hurricane resistant, but during home renovations or repairs, and as part of a home inspection, make sure that the appropriate structural tie-downs and connectors have been installed to secure the building's roof to its walls and its walls to the foundation.
Exterior and yard items: make sure that all loose objects have been removed from your yard and stored inside or are securely tied down before a hurricane hits. If your building has movable shutters that are not secured closed for window or door protection they still must be well secured to the building lest they become an airborne hazard themselves. For example decorative shutters mounted by simple screws to the building siding are not adequately secured. They must be fastened to building framing members.[7]
Garage doors: be sure that your garage door is closed, and that its mounting hardware is un-damaged and secure. If the door seems loose or insecure, back your automobile up until its bumper gently touches the garage door to help resist damage.
Insurance coverage for hurricane damage: :
- Consult your homeowners' insurance company for their hurricane damage prevention advice and also to review your insurance coverage. Many homeowners policies exclude coverage for water damage due to flooding caused by a hurricane, covering only wind damage. Insurance policies that do include water damage from flooding may include a deductible amount, covering damages only above insurance provided by the National Flood Insurance Program - NFIP.
- Inventory: make a photo-inventory of all of your possessions as well as the features of your home, inside and out, and store the data in a backup-copy off-site or at an online internet data service

Additional References for Prevention of Damage to Homes by Hurricanes & Tropical Storms

Ayscue, Jon K. Hurricane damage to residential structures: risk and mitigation. Natural Hazard Research and Applications Information Center, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, 1996.
Prevatt, D. O., G. M. Marcelle, I. Kelman, L. A. Dupigny-Giroux, and F. J. Masters. "On Reducing Hurricane Damage to Housing in the Caribbean Islands.", http://www.davidoprevatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/prevatt-et-al-on-reducing-hurricane-damage-to-housing-in-the-caribbean-islands-atc-2010.pdf, retrieved 03/03/2013
Allen, Myles. "2 Flooding, windstorms and climate change.", http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd68/UK2008/cap2.pdf, retrieved 3/3/2013
Living in the Danger Zone: Realities about Hurricanes - book recommendation

Windstorm Advice

See WIND DAMAGE topic home page. Excerpts are below.

Trim back, cable-tie, or remove trees close to the building and have an arborist (tree specialist) inspect the health of large trees near the building.

Build or find a safe place to wait out a tornado. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®) recommends having a safe room or storm shelter professionally built [32] but in our estimate most homes do not have a specially-constructed storm shelter. But you may be able to reinforce a basement area or a closet or storage room to serve that purpose.

Tornado & Windstorm Safety Steps to Take After the Storm

Don't re-enter a building that may be unsafe due to collapse hazards, fire hazards, electrical shock hazards, or LP or natural gas leaks. BUILDING ENTRY for DAMAGE ASSESSMENT includes safety suggestions that pertain to wind, tornado, earthquake and other disasters as well. There we discuss how to enter a building safely and how to determine if it is safe to turn utilities back on.

References for the Prevention of Damage to Homes by Winds Associated with Hurricanes

HAIL DAMAGED SHINGLES - inspection, assessment, diagnosis of hail damage to roofs
See HURRICANE DAMAGE - for some basic advice hurricane damage prevention advice from FEMA & other sources.
See MOBILE HOME STABILIZING SYSTEMS and MOBILE HOME WIND RATINGS
WIND DAMAGE to ROOFS includes examples that can help diagnose wind damaged roofing and we discuss nailing and other specifications for fastening roofing to reduce the risk of wind damaged shingles or roofing tiles. We include roof shingle wind damage, cause, evaluation, prevention, standards
WOOD SHAKE & SHINGLE ROOFING discusses wood shake and wood shingle roof installation, inspection, damage and leak assessment, repair procedures & standards.
[7] FEMA, "Protection of Openings - Shutters and Glazing", www.fema.gov, retrieved 3/5/2013.
[8] FEMA, "Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction", FEMA P-499 www.fema.gov, retrieved 3/5/2013,
[9] American Society of Civil Engineers. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE/SEI 7-10. (http://www.asce.org)
[10] The Engineered Wood Association (APA). Hurricane Shutter Designs Set 5 of 5. Hurricane shutter designs for woodframe and masonry buildings. (http://www. apawood.org)
[11] International Code Council. International Building Code. 2009. (http://www.iccsafe.org)
[12] International Code Council. International Residential Code. 2009. (http://www.iccsafe.org)
[13] ASTM E1886, Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Storm Shutters Impacted by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure Differentials
[14] ASTM E1996, Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricane
[15] ASTM E2112, Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights
[16] ASTM E330, Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference. (http:// www.astm.org)
[17] Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association: DASMA 108, Standard Method for Testing Sectional Garage Doors: Determination of Structural Performance Under Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
[18] FEMA, Asphalt Shingle Roofing for High Wind Regions, Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction, Technical Guide No. 73, retrieved 3/5/13
[31] USAA, " What Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover - Having a policy in place doesn't necessarily mean your home and belongings are protected against all losses", USAA 9800 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78288, https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/ advice-disaster-whatsnotcovered? offerName=prihome_advice-disaster-whatsnotcovered, retrieved 3/5/2013
[32] Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®), 1427 E. Piedmont Dr., Suite 2 | Tallahassee, FL 32308website: http://www.flash.org/, Tel: 877.221.SAFE, Email: info@flash.org, retrieved 3/5/2013; quoting: The non-profit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. FLASH provdes a "Homeowner's Insurace Guide to Natural Disasters"
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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

[1] Note 1. A Class A Fire Retardant Coating, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) "As applied to building materials, is a coating that reduces the flame spread to 25 or less, and that has a smoke developed rating not exceeding 200." A Class B Fire Retardant Coating, according to the NFPA, "As applied to building materials, is a coating that reduces the flame spread to greater than 25 but not more than 75, and that has a smoke developed rating not exceeding 200. The flame spread rating is expressed numerically on a scale for which the zero point is fixed by the performance of an inorganic-reinforced cement board and the 100 point (approximately) is fixed by the performance of red oak flooring ... FSI is a dimensionless value derived from the ASTM E 84 test standard. The higher the FSI, the faster the rate of flame spread across the surface of the material."
[2] Ace Fire Retardant Solvent-Based Coatings, Ace Coatings Limited, 60 Little London Road, Sheffield S8 0UH, Britain, 44 (0) 114 221 3807- web search 06/26/2010 - http://www.acecoatings.co.uk/product/
ace-fire-retardant-solvent-based-coatings
[3] "Performance of Glass/Cladding of High-Rise Buildings in Hurricane Katrina", Ahsan Kareem and Rachel Bashor, NatHaz Modeling Laboratory, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46656, - web search 06/26/2010 original source: http://www.nd.edu/~nathaz/doc/Katrina_AAWE_9-21.pdf
[4] "Hurricane Damage to Residential Structures: Risk and Mitigation", Jon K. Ayscue, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, published by the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, November 1996. Abstract:
"Property damage and loss from hurricanes have increased with population growth in coastal areas, and climatic factors point to more frequent and intense hurricanes in the future. This paper describes potential hurricane hazards from wind and water. Damage to residential structures from three recent intense hurricanes - Hugo, Andrew, and Iniki - shows that wind is responsible for greater property loss than water. The current state-of-the-art building technology is sufficient to reduce damage from hurricanes when properly applied, and this paper discusses those building techniques that can mitigate hurricane damage and recommends measures for mitigating future hurricane damage to homes." - online at www.colorado.edu/hazards/publications/wp/wp94/wp94.html
[5] Living in the Danger Zone: Realities about Hurricanes, Fran Marscher, IUniverse; illustrated edition edition (April 25, 2001), ISBN-10: 0595170420, ISBN-13: 978-0595170425
American Red Cross - how to contact the Red Cross - for emergency relief: food, clothing, shelter. If you are in need of a shelter during a disaster, contact your local Red Cross chapter - enter your zip code on this web page. - web search 05/31/2010
[6] FEMA - how to contact FEMA - the Federal Emergency Management Agency - Telephone: 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362), TDD: 1 (800) 462-7585, Fax: 1 (800) 827-8112 or http://www.disasterassistance.gov/daip_en.portal for online disaster relief application - Web search 05/31/2010
Hurricane advice original source - http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_during.shtm
[7] FEMA, "Protection of Openings - Shutters and Glazing", www.fema.gov, retrieved 3/5/2013. Further quoting:
ASCE/SEI 7-05 also discusses the protection of glazed openings in Section 6.5.9.3. The section states, “Glazing in buildings located in wind-borne debris regions shall be protected with an impactprotective system or be impact-resistant glazing according to the requirements specified in ASTM E1886 and ASTM E1996 or other approved test methods and performance criteria. The levels of impact resistance shall be a function of Missile Levels and Wind Zones specified in ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996”. Exceptions to this are noted in Section 6.5.9.3
[8] FEMA, "Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction", FEMA P-499 www.fema.gov, retrieved 3/5/2013,
Quoting:
FEMA produced this series of 37 fact sheets to provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings. The fact sheets present information aimed at improving the performance of buildings subject to flood and wind forces in coastal environments. Photographs and drawings illustrate National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulatory requirements, the proper siting of coastal buildings, and recommended design and construction practices for building components, including structural connections, the building envelope, and utilities.
Sections 1609.1.2 and R301.2.1.2, of the 2009 editions of the IBC and IRC, respectively, address the Protection of Openings. These sections state that in wind-borne debris regions, glazing in buildings shall be impact resistant or protected with an impact- resistant covering that meets the requirements of an approved impact-resistant standard or the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards ASTM E 1996 and ASTM E 1886. Wood structural panels could be used as an alternative to provide protection so long as they meet local building code requirements. Panel attachment should be in accordance with Table 1609.1.2 (IBC) and Table R301.2.1.2 (IRC) and installed using corrosion-resistant attachment hardware and anchors permanently installed on the building. Under provisions of the IBC, wood structural panels are permitted for Group R-3 and R-4 buildings with a mean roof height of 45 feet (13,716 mm) or less where wind speeds do not exceed 140 mph (63 m/s). Under provisions of the IRC, wood structural panels are permitted for buildings with a mean roof height of 33 feet (10,058 mm) or less where wind speeds do not exceed 130 mph2 (58 m/s). Figure 1 shows a house utilizing wood structural panels to provide opening protection.
[9] American Society of Civil Engineers. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE/SEI 7-10. (http://www.asce.org)
[10] The Engineered Wood Association (APA). Hurricane Shutter Designs Set 5 of 5. Hurricane shutter designs for woodframe and masonry buildings. (http://www. apawood.org)
[11] International Code Council. International Building Code. 2009. (http://www.iccsafe.org)
[12] International Code Council. International Residential Code. 2009. (http://www.iccsafe.org)
[13] ASTM E1886, Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Storm Shutters Impacted by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure Differentials
[14] ASTM E1996, Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricane
[15] ASTM E2112, Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights
[16] ASTM E330, Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference. (http:// www.astm.org)
[17] Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association: DASMA 108, Standard Method for Testing Sectional Garage Doors: Determination of Structural Performance Under Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
[18] FEMA, Asphalt Shingle Roofing for High Wind Regions, Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction, Technical Guide No. 73, retrieved 3/5/13
[31] USAA, " What Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover - Having a policy in place doesn't necessarily mean your home and belongings are protected against all losses", USAA 9800 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78288, https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/ advice-disaster-whatsnotcovered? offerName=prihome_advice-disaster-whatsnotcovered, retrieved 3/5/2013
[32] Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®), 1427 E. Piedmont Dr., Suite 2 | Tallahassee, FL 32308website: http://www.flash.org/, Tel: 877.221.SAFE, Email: info@flash.org, retrieved 3/5/2013; quoting: The non-profit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters. FLASH provdes a "Homeowner's Insurace Guide to Natural Disasters"
Sal Alfano - Editor, Journal of Light Construction*
Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and some of the foundation inspection photographs cited in these articles
Terry Carson - ASHI
Mark Cramer - ASHI
JD Grewell, ASHI
Duncan Hannay - ASHI, P.E. *
Bob Klewitz, M.S.C.E., P.E. - ASHI
Ken Kruger, P.E., AIA - ASHI
Aaron Kuertz aaronk@appliedtechnologies.com, with Applied Technologies regarding polyurethane foam sealant as other foundation crack repair product - 05/30/2007
Bob Peterson, Magnum Piering - 800-771-7437 - FL*
Arlene Puentes, ASHI, October Home Inspections - (845) 216-7833 - Kingston NY
Greg Robi, Magnum Piering - 800-822-7437 - National*
Dave Rathbun, P.E. - Geotech Engineering - 904-622-2424 FL*
Ed Seaquist, P.E., SIE Assoc. - 301-269-1450 - National
Dave Wickersheimer, P.E. R.A. - IL, professor, school of structures division, UIUC - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture. Professor Wickersheimer specializes in structural failure investigation and repair for wood and masonry construction. * Mr. Wickersheimer's engineering consulting service can be contacted at HDC Wickersheimer Engineering Services. (3/2010)
*These reviewers have not returned comment 6/95
Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Allen, Edward and Joseph Iano. Fundamentals of Building Construction: Fourth Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2004. pg. 91 [LVL lumber]
APA - The Engineered Wood Association, 7011 So. 19th St., PO Box 11700, Tacoma WA 98411-0700, Tel: 253-565-7265. APA provides an HDO/MDO Plywood Product Guide that offers details about these products., provides an HDO/MDO Plywood Product Guide that offers details about these products. Product support help desk: 253-620-7400. Email the APA at help@apawood.org. Web search 09/13/2010, original source: http://www.pacificwoodlaminates.com/img/PDFs/PlywoodGuide.pdf
Avongard foundation crack progress chart for structural crack monitoring
Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., W.H. Ransom, E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN 0-419-14270-3
Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
Design of Wood Structures - ASD, Donald E. Breyer, Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock, McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-10: 0071379320, ISBN-13: 978-0071379328
This book is an update of a long-established text dating from at least 1988 (DJF); Quoting:
This book is gives a good grasp of seismic design for wood structures. Many of the examples especially near the end are good practice for the California PE Special Seismic Exam design questions. It gives a good grasp of how seismic forces move through a building and how to calculate those forces at various locations. THE CLASSIC TEXT ON WOOD DESIGN UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003 International Building Code and 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction. Continuing the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference clearly explains the best wood design techniques for the safe handling of gravity and lateral loads. Carefully revised and updated to include the new 2003 International Building Code, ASCE 7-02 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, the 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction, and the most recent Allowable Stress Design.
Diagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems, Edgar O. Seaquist, McGraw Hill, 1980 ISBN 0-07-056013-7 (obsolete, incomplete, missing most diagnosis steps, but very good reading; out of print but used copies are available at Amazon.com, and reprints are available from some inspection tool suppliers). Ed Seaquist was among the first speakers invited to a series of educational conferences organized by D Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic of inspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.
Domestic Building Surveys, Andrew R. Williams, Kindle book, Amazon.com
Defects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of Material Failure, Barry Richardson, Spon Press; 2d Ed (2001), ISBN-10: 041925210X, ISBN-13: 978-0419252108. Quoting:
A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.
Guide to Domestic Building Surveys, Jack Bower, Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-408-50000 X
"Avoiding Foundation Failures," Robert Marshall, Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highly recommend this article-DF)
"A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Harris Hyman, P.E., Journal of Light Construction, May 1995
"Backfilling Basics," Buck Bartley, Journal of Light Construction, October 1994
"Inspecting Block Foundations," Donald V. Cohen, P.E., ASHI Reporter, December 1998. This article in turn cites the Fine Homebuilding article noted below.
"When Block Foundations go Bad," Fine Homebuilding, June/July 1998
Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies, by Cheryl Anderson, Frank Woeste (Forest Products Society), & Joseph Loferski, October 2003, ISBN-13: 978-1892529343, $39.00 at Amazon.com or at the InspectAPediaBookstore
Masonry structures: The Masonry House, Home Inspection of a Masonry Building & Systems, Stephen Showalter (director, actor), DVD, Quoting:
Movie Guide Experienced home inspectors and new home inspectors alike are sure to learn invaluable tips in this release designed to take viewers step-by-step through the home inspection process. In addition to being the former president of the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), a longstanding member of the NAHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), and the Environmental Standard Organization (IESO), host Stephen Showalter has performed over 8000 building inspections - including environmental assessments. Now, the founder of a national home inspection school and inspection training curriculum shares his extensive experience in the inspection industry with everyday viewers looking to learn more about the process of evaluating homes. Topics covered in this release include: evaluation of masonry walls; detection of spalling from rebar failure; inspection of air conditioning systems; grounds and landscaping; electric systems and panel; plumbing supply and distribution; plumbing fixtures; electric furnaces; appliances; evaluation of electric water heaters; and safety techniques. Jason Buchanan --Jason Buchanan, All Movie Review
Masonry Design for Engineers and Architects, M. Hatzinikolas, Y. Korany, Canadian Masonry (2005), ISBN-10: 0978006100, ISBN-13: 978-0978006105
Masonry Structures: Behavior and Design, Robert G. Drysdale, Ahmid A. Hamid, Lawrie R. Baker, The Masonry Society; 2nd edition (1999), ISBN-10: 1929081014, ISBN-13: 978-1929081011
Masonry, Engineered: Using the Canadian Code, J. I. Gainville, Cantext publications (1983), ASIN: B0007C37PG
Masonry, Non-reinforced masonry design tables, Hans J. Schultz, National Concrete Producers Association and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (1976), ASIN: B0007C2LQM
Moisture Control in Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
Moisture Control in Walls, U.S. Department of Energy
Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council, NAHB Research Foundation, 1987.
Straw Bale Home Design, U.S. Department of Energy provides information on strawbale home construction - original source at http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10350
Microllam Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and/or Parallam Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL) MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet, courtesy of Weyerhaeuser Company, PO Box 9777, Federal Way, WA 98063-9777 Tel: 253-924-3865
Ohawa, Ontario Wood Reference Handbook, p. 166, Canadian Wood Council, 1991
"Vapor Barriers or Vapor Diffusion Retarders", U.S. DOE: how vapor barriers work, types of vapor diffusion barriers, installing vapor barrier
"Quebec Family Dies as Home Vanishes Into Crater, in Reminder of Hidden Menace", Ian Austen, New York Times, 13 May 2010 p. A8. See http://www.nytimes.com/
Log Homes: Log Home Design, U.S. Department of Energy
Lincoln Log Homes Marketing, Inc., 6000 Lumber Lane, Kannapolis NC 28081 704-932-6151
Merrimac Log Homes, Henniker, NH, sells log home products, milled log home kits, log siding, and log home plans and log home construction accessories. 866-637-7462 or logs@mlhnh.com - merrimacloghomes.com
PermaChink Systems, Knoxville TN 800-548-1231 provides a range of log chinking products, coatings, and sealants for log and other wood buildings.
National Fire Protection Association, and United States Fire Administration. Wildfire Strikes Home: The Report of the National Wildland/Urban Fire Protection Conference. FEMA, 1987.
James K. Agee & Carl N. Skinner, "Basic principles of forest fuel reduction treatments", Forest Ecology and Management Volume 211, Issues 1–2, 6 June 2005, Pages 83–96.
Cohen, Jack D., "Preventing Disaster: Home Ignitability in the Wildland-Urban Interface", Journal of Forestry, Volume 98, Number 3, 1 March 2000 , pp. 15-21(7), Society of American Foresters.
Abstract: Wildland-urban interface (W-UI) fires are a significant concern for federal, state, and local land management and fire agencies. Research using modeling, experiments, and W-UI case studies indicates that home ignitability during wildland fires depends on the characteristics of the home and its immediate surroundings. These findings have implications for hazard assessment and risk mapping, effective mitigations, and identification of appropriate responsibility for reducing the potential for home loss caused by W-UI fires.
Long, Alan J., Dale D. Wade, and Frank C. Beall. "13 Managing for Fire in the Interface: Challenges and Opportunities." Forests at the wildland-urban interface: Conservation and management (2004): 201.
Paulo M. Fernandes and Hermínio S. Botelho, "A review of prescribed burning effectiveness in fire hazard reduction", International Journal of Wildland Fire 12(2) 117 - 128
Abstract: Wildfire hazard abatement is one of the major reasons to use prescribed burning. Computer simulation, case studies, and analysis of the fire regime in the presence of active prescribed burning programs in forest and shrubland generally indicate that this fuel management tool facilitates fire suppression efforts by reducing the intensity, size and damage of wildfires. However, the conclusions that can be drawn from the above approaches are limited, highlighting the need for more properly designed experiments addressing this question. Fuel accumulation rate frequently limits prescribed fire effectiveness to a short post-treatment period (2–4 years). Optimisation of the spatial pattern of fire application is critical but has been poorly addressed by research, and practical management guidelines are lacking to initiate this. Furthermore, adequate treatment efforts in terms of fire protection are constrained by operational, social and ecological issues. The best results of prescribed fire application are likely to be attained in heterogeneous landscapes and in climates where the likelihood of extreme weather conditions is low. Conclusive statements concerning the hazard-reduction potential of prescribed fire are not easily generalised, and will ultimately depend on the overall efficiency of the entire fire management process.
Mall, Amy, Franz Matzner, and Niel Lawrence. "Safe at Home." (2007). http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/safe/safe.pdf, retieved 3/4/2013
Kristen, C. Nelson, C. Monroe Martha, and Jayne Fingerman Johnson. "The look of the land: homeowner landscape management and wildfire preparedness in Minnesota and Florida." Society and Natural Resources 18.4 (2005): 321-336.
Quarles, Stephen L., et al. "Home survival in wildfire-prone areas: Building materials and design considerations." ANR Publication 8393 (2010). http://www.wildfirezone.org/assets/images/resource_docs/homesurvivalwildfireareas.pdf, retieved 3/4/2013.
Smith, Rebecca K. "War on Wildfire: The US Forest Service's Wildland Fire Suppression Policy and Its Legal, Scientific, and Political Context." U. Balt. J. Envtl. L. 15 (2007): 25.
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Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for certain articles found at this website. All rights and contents to those materials are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
Basement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
Crawl Space Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
Diagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems, Edgar O. Seaquist, McGraw Hill, 1980 ISBN 0-07-056013-7 (obsolete, incomplete, missing most diagnosis steps, but very good reading; out of print but used copies are available at Amazon.com, and reprints are available from some inspection tool suppliers). Ed Seaquist was among the first speakers invited to a series of educational conferences organized by D Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic of inspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.
Design of Wood Structures - ASD, Donald E. Breyer, Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock, McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-10: 0071379320, ISBN-13: 978-0071379328
This book is an update of a long-established text dating from at least 1988 (DJF); Quoting:
This book is gives a good grasp of seismic design for wood structures. Many of the examples especially near the end are good practice for the California PE Special Seismic Exam design questions. It gives a good grasp of how seismic forces move through a building and how to calculate those forces at various locations. THE CLASSIC TEXT ON WOOD DESIGN UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003 International Building Code and 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction. Continuing the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference clearly explains the best wood design techniques for the safe handling of gravity and lateral loads. Carefully revised and updated to include the new 2003 International Building Code, ASCE 7-02 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, the 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction, and the most recent Allowable Stress Design.
Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., W.H. Ransom, E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN 0-419-14270-3
Domestic Building Surveys, Andrew R. Williams, Kindle book, Amazon.com
Defects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of Material Failure, Barry Richardson, Spon Press; 2d Ed (2001), ISBN-10: 041925210X, ISBN-13: 978-0419252108. Quoting:
A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.
Guide to Domestic Building Surveys, Jack Bower, Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-408-50000 X
"Avoiding Foundation Failures," Robert Marshall, Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highly recommend this article-DF)
"A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Harris Hyman, P.E., Journal of Light Construction, May 1995
"Backfilling Basics," Buck Bartley, Journal of Light Construction, October 1994
"Inspecting Block Foundations," Donald V. Cohen, P.E., ASHI Reporter, December 1998. This article in turn cites the Fine Homebuilding article noted below.
"When Block Foundations go Bad," Fine Homebuilding, June/July 1998
Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
Log Homes: Minimizing Air Leakage in Log Homes, U.S. Department of Energy
Log Homes: Controlling Moisture in Log Homes, U.S. Department of Energy
Moisture Control in Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
Moisture Control in Walls, U.S. Department of Energy
National Facilities Management & Technology Training Conferences, http://www.nfmt.com/ - offers free or low-cost education and training for facilities managers, including conferences and online training (see http://www.nfmt.com/online/#) e.g. ASHRAE Standard 188P - a practice standard that is discussed in a video presentation
Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council, NAHB Research Foundation, 1987.
Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeler, N.U. Ahmed, # Home Builder Pr (February 1991), ISBN-10: 0867183594, ISBN-13: 978-0867183597
Slab on Grade Foundation Moisture and Air Leakage, U.S. Department of Energy
"Vapor Barriers or Vapor Diffusion Retarders", U.S. DOE: how vapor barriers work, types of vapor diffusion barriers, installing vapor barrier
Ventilation for energy efficient buildings, Purpose, Strategies, etc.,
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Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia