This page provides our index to building damage assessment & damage repair or restoration procedures.

These are guidellines for entering, inspecting & repairing buildings damaged by earthquake, fire, flooding, hurricane, windstorms.

We discuss building safety & damage assessment following earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane, windstorm or similar catastrophes. The articles in this series explain safe building entry procedures, priority of action or repair, and also damage prevention.

Each article includes citations providing authoritative information on damage assessment, codes, safety procedures as well as sources of emergency or re-build assistance.

This article series provides residential & light construction building damage assessment procedures for buildings following disasters such as from earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane, tropical storm, or wind damage.

Also try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.

Building damage assessment, loss prevention, emergency action priorities

This page is an index to key articles about building damage assessment, damage control, and damage prevention from both natural and man-made disasters such as fire, flood, earthquake, wind or land-slide.

FEMA and the ARC as well as home & building inspection associations provide extensive training and written guidance to assist engineers and damage assessment workers asked to evaluate the condition of buildings following an earthquake or other disaster.

In addition, your homeowners insurance company may, as does USAA, offer an online property risk assessment tool that can check the degree of risk to wildfire or storm surge damage.

Photo at page top: a city bus pushing its way through flooded streets in Comonfort, Guanajuato, Mexico in 2009. [Click to enlarge any image]

Our cracked building photo (above/left) was caused by the Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles in 1994. The website editor along with other ASHI inspectors assisted the American Red Cross with damage assessment and with providing services to people whose homes were damaged, destroyed, or that were unsafe to enter.

In the articles listed here 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.

To find what you need quickly, if you don't want to scroll through this index you are welcome to use the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX to search InspectApedia for specific articles and information.

• ARC AMERICAN RED CROSS& Other Telephone & Insurance Numbers
• BUILDING ENTRY for DAMAGE ASSESSMENT - safety procedures for people considering entering a building following an earthquake or other disaster
• CHIMNEY COLLAPSES, EARTHQUAKE - special problems caused by un reinforced masonry chimneys in earthquake zones
• EARTHQUAKE CHIMNEY COLLAPSE DANGERS - chimney inspection procedures and provides examples of potentially fatal chimney collapse hazards in earthquake zones
• EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE - topic home
• EARTHQUAKE-DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS - How to Evaluate and Diagnose Complex Combinations of Foundation Movement Cracks, Bends, Leans, or Shifts in Foundation Walls
• FEMA Regional Office Contact Information & Telephone Numbers
• FIRE DAMAGE - topic home
• FLOOD DAMAGE - topic home
• FOUNDATION DAMAGED by EARTHQUAKE - damage patterns specific to earthquakes
• FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE - broad guide to all types of building foundation damage types organized by foundation material, crack pattern, failure type
• HURRICANE DAMAGED BUILDINGS - separate article
• 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
• MOLD DAMAGE - topic home
• PLASTIC MOISTURE BARRIER FLAME SPREAD - fire and flame spread information for crawl space and other plastic moisture barriers
• SAFETY for BUILDING INSPECTORS - safety procedures for building inspectors
• SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS - how to recognize signs of an impending sinkhole collapse or disaster
• 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.
• WIND DAMAGED BUILDINGS - separate article

Additional References for Prevention of Earthquake Damage to Homes

• 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.

How to Avoid Disreputable Contractors When Performing Disaster-Related Repairs

Our insurer quotes the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in offering several basic tips to reduce the risk of being taken advantage-of by unscrupulous contractors who offer repair services following a natural disaster:

Protect your privacy: do not give out personal information before you are convinced that it is necessary. If someone is asking for personal information, check their identification card and certification or authorization. before allowing them into your home.

Identify the contractor's home base: check trucks or vehicles for local addresses and license plates; record the name, address, and contact information of contractors with whom you are considering doing business.

Get multiple repair estimates: it's a good idea to ask for repair estimates from at least three different contractors. And if your home has had a condition of property inspection by a supposedly unbiased independent expert, make double sure that your home inspector has no relationship with the contractors who bid on the work.

Contractors' insurance: check that your contractor carries general liability and worker's compensation insurance.

Watch out for good deals: disaster sales offering discounted goods and services may be providing shoddy, damaged, or dangerous goods.

Do not pay the contractor off completely until you are certain that all of the work has been completed satisfactorily. When we had some plumbing work performed we came home to find leaks all over the place, wet floors, junk and debris not cleaned up.

We called the contractor. "I've got your check right here, ready to pay you ..." I began. The contractor was elated. "I'll be right over" he replied. "But I'm really sorry, I just can't pay you ..

." I continued, " ... because even though your man left a bill and said he was finished, there are leaks and water and mess all over the place. As soon as the job is actually complete, I'll have your check." The contractor himself came by to fix the leaks and clean up the mess until we were satisfied. Be nice, be fair, be firm.

Fire Damaged Buildings

We have moved our home page for building fire damage information to FIRE DAMAGE - home page.

Flood damaged homes

Our home page for articles giving in-depth information about building flood damage assessment, cleanup & repair procedures, and flood damage prevention & protection has moved.

See FLOOD DAMAGE - home page

• BUILDING ENTRY for FLOOD DAMAGE: How to safely Enter & Inspect a Building After Flooding from Hurricane Ike
• BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE - we list major building & indoor environmental safety hazards, and we discuss how to detect and protect from safety & environmental hazards in homes and other buildings
• CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE - when, where, how and why to enter a crawl space to inspect for damage
• CRAWL SPACE DRYOUT - home - steps needed to dry out a crawl space and how to keep it dry and clean
• DRINKING WATER EMERGENCY SOURCES - where to find emergency drinking water after a flood or other disaster
• ELECTRICAL SAFETY for FLOOD DAMAGE INSPECTORS: How to safely Check an Electrical System after flooding caused by Hurricanes or other Storms or Flooding
• FLOODS IN BUILDINGS - PRIORITIES - what to do first for safety and to protect a flooded building from further damage
• FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP - how to assess flood damage and clean up flood damage
• FOUNDATION INSPECTION for FLOOD DAMAGE - is a flooded structure safe or in danger of collapse
• MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS - inspection, repair, storm damage & wind damage, MOBILE HOME WIND RATINGS
• MOLD ACTION GUIDE - what to do about mold in buildings after a flood, & MOLD PREVENTION AFTER FLOODING
• MOLD CLEANUP AFTER A FLOOD: How to Prevent or Remove Mold After Flooding from Hurricane Ike and similar hurricanes, floods, storms
• MOLD DAMAGE CONTROL AFTER FLOODING: checklist of key steps to minimize mold damage after a building flood from earthquake, flood, or a hurricane or similar storm or disaster.
• SEPTIC SYSTEMS & FLOODS - how to get the septic system working after a flood

• FLOOD DAMAGE RFERENCES - additional resources for building flood damage assessment, repairs, assistance

Hurricane Preparation

See HURRICANE DAMAGED BUILDINGS - home page. Excerpts are below.

When to leave your home in the face of a coming storm

• 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.
• 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.

Fire Damaged Buildings

See this topic home page - FIRE DAMAGED BUILDINGS.

Also see WILDFIRE DAMAGE PREVENTION

Our photo at left shows a Rhinebeck NY home that was destroyed by fire caused by an electrical cord that had been run beneath the carpeting.

• WOOD STOVE OPERATION & SAFETY

Windstorm or Tornado Advice

Very 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.

See WIND DAMAGED BUILDINGS topic home page.

Building Damage Assessment, Prevention, Repair Research

• [1] Note 1. A Class A Fire Retardant Coating, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
  
  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 - www.acecoatings.co.uk/product/ ace-fire-retardant-solvent-based-coatings
• Agee, James K.& 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.
• Ahmed, N.U., Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeler, # Home Builder Pr (February 1991), ISBN-10: 0867183594, ISBN-13: 978-0867183597
• Allen, Edward and Joseph Iano. Fundamentals of Building Construction: Fourth Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2004. pg. 91 [LVL lumber]
• Allen, Myles. "2 Flooding, windstorms and climate change.", www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd68/UK2008/cap2.pdf, retrieved 3/3/2013
• 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
• [9] [35] American Society of Civil Engineers. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE/SEI 7-10. (www.asce.org)
• Anderson, Cheryl, Frank Woeste (Forest Products Society), & Joseph Loferski, Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies, October 2003, ISBN-13: 978-1892529343,
• 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 [PDF] 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: www.pacificwoodlaminates.com/img/PDFs/PlywoodGuide.pdf
• Ashley, Walker S., and Thomas L. Mote. "Derecho hazards in the United States." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 86.11 (2005): 1577-1592.
• [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. (www.astm.org)
• [39] ASTM E1886, Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Storm Shutters Impacted by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure Differentials
• [40] ASTM E1996, Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricane
• [41] ASTM E2112, Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights
• [42] ASTM E330, Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference. (www.astm.org
• Austen, Ian, "Quebec Family Dies as Home Vanishes Into Crater, in Reminder of Hidden Menace", New York Times, 13 May 2010 p. A8. See www.nytimes.com/
• Avongard FOUNDATION CRACK PROGRESS CHART [PDF] - structural crack monitoring
• [4] Ayscue, Jon K., Hurricane Damage to Residential Structures: Risk and Mitigation, 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
• Bartley, Buck, "Backfilling Basics," Journal of Light Construction, October 1994
• Bower, Jack, Guide to Domestic Building Surveys , Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-408-50000 X
• Breyer, Donald E., Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock, Design of Wood Structures - ASD, 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.
• Cohen, Donald V., P.E. "Inspecting Block Foundations," 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
• 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.
• Coulbourne, William L., E. Scott Tezak, and Therese P. McAllister. "Design guidelines for community shelters for extreme wind events." Journal of Architectural engineering 8, no. 2 (2002): 69-77.
• [17] [43] DASMA, 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
• Davenport, Alan G., and J. Nemec. "The Impact of Structural Damage Due to Hurricanes and the Prospects for Disaster Reduction." In Proceedings of Conference on Prediction and Perception of Natural Hazards, pp. 13-21. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, 1993, www.crid.or.cr/digitalizacion/pdf/eng/doc4683/doc4683-contenido.pdf, retrieved 3/3/2013
• Davenport, A. "The House That Won’t Fall Down." In Proceedings of the Royal Society Conference on ‘Dealing with Natural Disasters’, London, UK. 1999,citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.197.2443&rep=rep1&type=pdf, retrieved 3/3/2013
• DOE Basement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, CRAWL SPACE MOISTURE CONTROL [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, LOG HOMES: CONTROLLING MOISTURE IN [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, LOG HOMES: LOG HOME DESIGN, U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, LOG HOMES: MINIMIZING AIR LEAKAGE [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, MOISTURE CONTROL in WALLS [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, SLAB ON GRADE FOUNDATION MOISTURE AND AIR LEAKAGE [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy
• DOE, STRAW BALE HOME DESIGN [PDF] U.S. Department of Energy provides information on strawbale home construction - original source at www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10350
• DOE, VAPOR BARRIERS or VAPOR DIFFUSION RETARDERS [PDF] U.S. DOE - how vapor barriers work, types of vapor diffusion barriers, installing vapor barrier
• DOE, VENTILATION for ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS [PDF] Purpose of ventilation, ventilateion strategies, etc.
• Drysdale, Robert G., & Ahmid A. Hamid, Lawrie R. Baker, Masonry Structures: Behavior and Design,The Masonry Society; 2nd edition (1999), ISBN-10: 1929081014, ISBN-13: 978-1929081011
• Eidson, Millicent, Jeffrey A. Lybarger, John E. Parsons, J. N. MacCormack, and John I. Freeman. "Risk factors for tornado injuries." International journal of epidemiology 19, no. 4 (1990): 1051-1056.
• 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.
• [10] [36] Engineered Wood Association (APA). Hurricane Shutter Designs Set 5 of 5. Hurricane shutter designs for woodframe and masonry buildings. (www.apawood.org)
• [32] Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®), 1427 E. Piedmont Dr., Suite 2 | Tallahassee, FL 32308website: 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.
• [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 www.disasterassistance.gov/daip_en.portal for online disaster relief application - Web search 05/31/2010
  Hurricane advice original source - 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 [PDF] Temporarily offline, original copy available: /Building_Damage/Coastal-Construction-Guide-FEMA.pdf - www.fema.gov, retrieved 3/5/2013 and 2019/12/12
  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.
• [18] FEMA, Asphalt Shingle Roofing for High Wind Regions, Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction, Technical Guide No. 73, retrieved 3/5/13
• [33] FEMA, "Protection of Openings - Shutters and Glazing", www.fema.gov, retrieved 3/5/2013.
• [34] FEMA, "Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction", FEMA P-499 www.fema.gov, retrieved 3/5/2013,
• [44] FEMA, Asphalt Shingle Roofing for High Wind Regions, Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction, Technical Guide No. 73, retrieved 3/5/13
• Fernandes, Paulo M. & 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.
• Gainville, J.I., Masonry, Engineered: Using the Canadian Code, Cantext publications (1983), ASIN: B0007C37PG
• Harris, Samuel Y. P.E., AIA, Esq., Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
• Hatzinikolas, M, & Y. Korany, Masonry Design for Engineers and Architects, Canadian Masonry (2005), ISBN-10: 0978006100, ISBN-13: 978-0978006105
• Hyman, Harris,P.E., "A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Journal of Light Construction, May 1995
• [45] Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, website disastersafety.org
• [11] [12] International Code Council. International Building Code. 2009. (www.iccsafe.org)
• [37] [38] International Code Council. International Building Code. 2009. (www.iccsafe.org)
• THE JOURNAL OF LIGHT CONSTRUCTION - Web: https://www.jlconline.com - 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.
• [3] Kareem, Ahsan & Rachel Bashor, PERFORMANCE OF GLASS/CLADDING OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN HURRICANE KATRINA [PDF] NatHaz Modeling Laboratory, University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46656, - web search 06/26/2010 original source: www.nd.edu/~nathaz/doc/Katrina_AAWE_9-21.pdf
• Kilmer, Rosemary, Construction Drawings and Details,
• Mall, Amy, Franz Matzner, and Niel Lawrence. "Safe at Home." (2007). www.nrdc.org/land/forests/safe/safe.pdf, retieved 3/4/2013
• [5] Marscher, Fran, Living in the Danger Zone: Realities about Hurricanes, IUniverse; illustrated edition edition (April 25, 2001), ISBN-10: 0595170420, ISBN-13: 978-0595170425
• Marshall, Robert, "Avoiding Foundation Failures," Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highly recommend this article-DF)
• McDonald, Jr., Travis C. Preservation Brief 35. "Understanding Old Buildings: The Process of Architectural Investigation." Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 1994.
• NAHB, Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council, NAHB Research Foundation, 1987.
• Ohawa, Ontario Wood Reference Handbook, p. 166, Canadian Wood Council, 1991
• Ransom, W.H., Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN 0-419-14270-3
• Rauch, Ernst. "Climate change and its consequences for the insurance economy." Severe Storms over Europe 15 (2007): 44.
• Richardson, Barry, Defects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of Material Failure, 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.
• Roaf, Susan, David Crichton, and Fergus Nicol. Adapting buildings and cities for climate change. Oxford: Architectural Press, 2005.
• 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.
• Schultz, Hans J., Masonry, Non-reinforced masonry design tables,National Concrete Producers Association and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (1976), ASIN: B0007C2LQM
• Seaquist, Edgar O., Diagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems , 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 Daniel Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic of inspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.
• Showalter, Stephen, (director, actor), Masonry structures: The Masonry House, Home Inspection of a Masonry Building & Systems, 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
• Sims, Holly, and Kevin Vogelmann. "Popular mobilization and disaster management in Cuba." Public Administration and Development 22, no. 5 (2002): 389-400.
• Slaton, Deobrah, THE PREPARATION & USE of HISTORIC STRCTURE REPORTS [PDF] (2005), Preservation Brief No. 43, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, Preservation - retrieved 2022/10/09, original source: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/43-historic-structure-reports.htm
  Excerpt:
  
  A historic structure report provides documentary, graphic, and physical information about a property's history and existing condition. Broadly recognized as an effective part of preservation planning, a historic structure report also addresses management or owner goals for the use or re-use of the property.
  
  It provides a thoughtfully considered argument for selecting the most appropriate approach to treatment, prior to the commencement of work, and outlines a scope of recommended work.
  
  The report serves as an important guide for all changes made to a historic property during a project-repair, rehabilitation, or restoration-and can also provide information for maintenance procedures.
  
  Finally, it records the findings of research and investigation, as well as the processes of physical work, for future researchers.
• 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.
• Storm, Jackson County Severe Winter. "Severe Winter Storm and Windstorm.", www.co.jackson.or.us/Files/Section%2006.pdf, retrieved 3/3/2013
• [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
• Watt, David, Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
• Weeks, Kay D., and Anne E. Grimmer. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Cultural Resource Stewardship and Partnerships, Heritage Preservation Services, 1995.
• Weyerhaeuser, MICROLAM 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

 

...

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Or see these

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• STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE HAZARDS
• STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS
• WILDFIRE DAMAGE PREVENTION for HOMES
• WIND DAMAGED BUILDINGS

 

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