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BUILDING DAMAGE ASSESSMENT & REPAIR

ALLERGEN TESTS for BUILDINGS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS

BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS in the HOME - EPA
BLACK MOLD, HARMLESS COSMETIC
BLACK MOLD, TOXIC & ALLERGENIC

CARPETING & INDOOR AIR QUALITY
CARPETS & PADDING ODORS IN BUILDINGS
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
CONTAINER HOUSING
CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE

DIRT FLOOR MOLD CONTAMINATION
DIRECTORY of MOLD / ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS
DISASTERS: BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR
Disinfecting Buildings with Bleach
DUST SAMPLING PROCEDURE

EFFLORESCENCE, Salts & White / Brown Deposits

FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
FLOOR & SUBFLOOR MOLD, HIDDEN
FLOOR TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
FRENCH DRAINS
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING

GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC

HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
HOME INSPECTOR DIRECTORY

INDOOR AIR HAZARDS TABLE
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE

METHANE GAS SOURCES
MILDEW REMOVAL & PREVENTION
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
MOLD ACTION GUIDE - WHAT TO DO ABOUT MOLD
MOLD APPEARANCE - WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE
MOLD APPEARANCE - STUFF THAT IS NOT MOLD
MOLD ODORS, MUSTY SMELLS
MOLD TEST METHODS, ACCURACY
MOLD TEST PROCEDURES
MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS

ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE
OIL TANKS INSPECT LEAK TEST ABANDON REGS
OZONE for MOLD OR ODORS

PAINTS & COATINGS ODORS IN BUILDINGS
Particulates & Allergens Indoors

RENTERS & TENANTS GUIDE TO INDOOR HAZARDS
ROT, TIMBER ASSESSMENT

SAFETY FOR SEPTIC INSPECTORS
SEPTIC BACKUP REPAIR
SEPTIC METHANE GAS
SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY
SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
SUMP PUMPS

VENTILATION in BUILDINGS
Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs
VOLTS / AMPS MEASUREMENT EQUIP

WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
WATER PUMPS, TANKS, TESTS, WELLS, REPAIRS
WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS
WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

Wind damaged roof shingles (C) Daniel Friedman Wind Damage Inspection, Repair, Prevention
Guides for entering, inspecting & repairing buildings damaged by windstorms
     

  • WIND DAMAGE
  • HURRICANE DAMAGE - separate article
  • ROOF DAMAGE, WIND - separate article
  • Questions & Answers about about wind, tornaod or cyclone damage to buildings: wind damage assessment, wind damage repair, & wind damage prevention
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • BUILDING DAMAGE ASSESSMENT & REPAIR - home
  • BUILDING ENTRY for DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
  • CAR, FLOOD DAMAGE DETECTION
  • CRAWL SPACES
  • DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION
  • DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY SOURCES
  • DUCT SYSTEM FLOOD or WATER DAMAGE
  • EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE
  • ELECTRICAL SAFETY for FLOOD INSPECTORS
  • FIRE DAMAGED BUILDINGS
  • FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR PRIORITIES
  • FLOOD DAMAGE CLEANUP & REPAIR GUIDE - home
  • FLOOD VENTS & FLOOD PORTS
  • FLOOD ZONES & FLOOD ZONE MAPS
  • FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE
  • FOUNDATION DAMAGED by EARTHQUAKE
  • FOUNDATION DAMAGED, by FLOODING
  • FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR
  • GAS DETECTION INSTRUMENTS
  • GAS, METHANE SOURCES
  • GENERATORS, BACKUP ELECTRIC
  • HEATING EQUIPMENT, FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR
  • HOUSING, EMERGENCY & TEMPORARY
  • HUMIDITY CONTROL & TARGETS INDOORS
  • MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS
  • MOLD CONTROL, FLOOD RESPONSE
  • MOLD PREVENTION STEPS
  • OIL TANK WATER REMOVAL
  • OIL TANKS FLOATING UP
  • PUMPS, PONY PUMPS
  • ROOF DAMAGE, WIND
  • SAFETY for BUILDING INSPECTORS
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR
  • SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPS
  • SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO
  • SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in BUILDINGS
  • SEWAGE PUMPS
  • SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION
  • SEWER GAS ODORS
  • SUMP PUMPS
  • TOILETS for DISASTER ZONE USE
  • TOILETS, EMERGENCY
  • WATER ENTRY in buildings
  • WATER HEATER FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR
  • WELL FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Building wind damage assessment & damage repair or restoration procedures. This article series provides residential & light construction building wind damage assessment procedures for buildings following disasters such as from a hurricane, cyclone, tornado, or other 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.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

Windstorm or Tornado Damage Prevention Advice for Homeowners

Windstorm caused Tree damaged home (C) Daniel FriedmanVery basic advice and some simple steps can substantially reduce wind damage to a building includes recommendations to 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.

Because nearby trees that are not on your property can still be tall enough to smash into your home, if appropriate ask neighbors to trim back large trees that threaten your building.

We have had success in this step by offering to share the cost of tree trimming with affected neighbors: just point out that depending on wind direction the tree may fall on their home as well.

Our photo (left) shows significant damage to a home struck by a wind-blown tree.

Below we have adapted and expanded on tornado & windstorm safety advice offered by USAA [31],FLASH®, and other sources.

Tornado & Windstorm Safety Steps to Take Before the Storm: Protection from Wind Damage

Wind damaged siding, Maple Shade New Jersey (C) Daniel FriedmanBuild 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.

Our photo (left) illustrates wind-damaged siding in Maple Shade, New Jersey.

Cell phone safety: a cell phone can be a lifeline in an emergency and can also be used to get a head start on filing an insurance claim after a tornado or other disaster.

Contacting your insurance company quickly may be especially important following a tornado, hurricane, flood or other disaster that affects a wide area and many homes. Make sure that your cell phone is fully charged. Keep a car-adapter charger on-hand for additional cell phone charging; small battery pack cell phone chargers are also helpful in the short run but generally won't give multiple re-charges.

Evacuate? If you have to evacuate your home in an emergency, always put personal safety of everyone absolutely first. If time and safety permit we recommend turning off all utilities: electricity (all breakers), fuel supply lines, water supply lines. But if conditions are too dangerous to delay, don't hesitate.

Insurance coverage may not include some types of wind damage. Check with your insurance company before a storm occurs. USAA points out that trying to increase wind or tornado damage insurance coverage after a tornado has occured won't work.

After a tornado ... most insurance companies ... stop issuing new policies or won't allow coverage increases — or both. Contact your insurance carrier now to make sure you have what you need to recover, including wind and flood insurance coverage should your home be damaged by a storm. [31]

Plan for the emergency: discuss with other residents or family members in your home questions such as where you will go in an emergency, how you will get out of risky areas (such as upper floors in a home).

Tree fall smashes home (C) Daniel FriedmanReduce wind-vulnerable hazards around the home. This includes removing or securing loose items outdoors (funiture, garden tools, for example) as well as securing or removing loose items on the home (shutters, antennas, storm doors) and inspecting and if appropraite trimming trees around the home. FLASH® provides a free wind damage inspection / prevention checklist.

While we don't want to allow someone to run amok with the chain saw, if there are large trees close enough to fall onto your home - as our photo at left illustrates in Hyde Park, NY. Ask a tree expert to give you advice about the trees' health, need for trimming, and risk of fall or collapse in a windstorm, hurricane, or tornado. It may make sense to trim back, top or in some cases remove dangerous trees that threaten buildings.

Supplies: prepare your disaster kit to be sure you have on hand emegency supplies such as water, candles, matches, flashlights, first aid kits and the cellphone that we discussed above. Some homeowners prepare their emergency kit in a roll-along carry-on type travel bag to make quick movement easy.

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 Prevention of Damage to Homes by Wind & Windstorms

  • 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"
  • Allen, Myles. "2 Flooding, windstorms and climate change.", http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd68/UK2008/cap2.pdf, retrieved 3/3/2013
  • Ashley, Walker S., and Thomas L. Mote. "Derecho hazards in the United States." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 86.11 (2005): 1577-1592.
  • Ellingwood, Bruce R., David V. Rosowsky, Yue Li, and Jun Hee Kim. "Fragility assessment of light-frame wood construction subjected to wind and earthquake hazards." Journal of Structural Engineering 130, no. 12 (2004): 1921-1930.
  • Rosowsky, David, and Scott Schiff. "What Are Our Expectations, Objectives, and Performance Requirements for Wood Structures in High Wind Regions?." Natural Hazards Review 4.3 (2003): 144-148.
  • Schmidlin, Thomas, Barbara Hammer, Paul King, Yuichi Ono, L. Scott Miller, and Gregory Thumann. "Unsafe at Any(Wind) Speed?." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 83, no. 12 (2002): 1821-1830.
  • Storm, Jackson County Severe Winter. "Severe Winter Storm and Windstorm.", http://www.co.jackson.or.us/Files/Section%2006.pdf, retrieved 3/3/201
  • BUILDING ENTRY for DAMAGE ASSESSMENT - safety procedures for people considering entering a building following an earthquake or other disaster
  • CHIMNEY COLL
  • HOUSING, EMERGENCY & TEMPORARY - suggestions for finding emergency housing alternatives
  • MOBILE HOME STRUCTURAL DEFECTS - particular hazards faced by mobile homes, trailers, doublewides in the event of earthquake, hurricanes, flooding
  • SAFETY for BUILDING INSPECTORS - safety procedures for building inspectors
  • TOILETS for DISASTER ZONE USE - suggestions for makeshift toilets that provide additional relief in a disaster zone
  • UTILITIES, TURN ON after a DISASTER - step by step safety procedures for getting electricity and heating fuel working again after a disaster.
  • Arakida, Masaru. "Measuring vulnerability: The ADRC perspective for the theoretical basis and principles of indicator development." Measuring Vulnerability to Natural Hazards–towards disaster resilient societies, United Nations University Press, Tokyo (2006): 290-299.
  • Comerio, Mary C. "Public policy for reducing earthquake risks: a US perspective." Building Research & Information 32, no. 5 (2004): 403-413.
  • Kamat, Vineet R., and Sherif El-Tawil. "Evaluation of augmented reality for rapid assessment of earthquake-induced building damage." Journal of computing in civil engineering 21, no. 5 (2007): 303-310.
  • Kovacs, Paul. Reducing the risk of earthquake damage in Canada: Lessons from Haiti and Chile. Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, 2010.
  • Mills, Evan, Evan Mills, and Ivo Knoepfel. Energy-efficiency options for insurance loss prevention. Environmental Energy Technologies Division, Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1997.
  • Noji, Eric K., and Keith T. Sivertson. "Injury prevention in natural disasters. A theoretical framework." Disasters 11, no. 4 (1987): 290-296.
  • Peek-Asa, Coritme, Jess F. Kraus, Linda B. Bourque, Dushyanthi Vimalachandra, Jenny Yu, and Jackie Abrams. "Fatal and hospitalized injuries resulting from the 1994 Northridge earthquake." International Journal of Epidemiology 27, no. 3 (1998): 459-465.
  • If a tornado is likely in your area, you should
    • 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 tornado or severe windstorm

    • 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.

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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"
  • 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
  • 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.
  • ...

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.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe 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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