The Mitigation Outreach Academy … An Introduction to High Wind

The Mitigation Outreach Academy

… An Introduction to High Wind

Introduction

FLASH developed the Mitigation Outreach Academy to equip volunteers with useful mitigation outreach resources as they advocate for home mitigation and preparedness before and after they serve in the disaster zone. Accurate, reliable, and relevant home mitigation information is critical to fostering an environment where communities build with resilience in mind, and volunteers carry that message effectively by combining it with their personal experience.

Volunteers are the boots on the ground after a disaster and can use their experiences and voices to help create disaster resilient communities. Using this Mitigation Outreach Academy Volunteer Toolkit, volunteers can inspire others to take action by translating experiences and lessons learned post-disaster into advocacy for pre-disaster mitigation activities.

The toolkit serves a dual function. It provides access to mitigation information and helps volunteers tell their story by transforming experience into educational tools. Volunteers can take resilience to the next level and recruit new advocates to the disaster safety movement, creating resilience influencers within their organizations and communities.

Table of Contents

My Story: A Volunteer’s Perspective Page 5-7Identify Your Risk Page 8A Volunteer’s Perspective: Resilience and Affordability Page 9-11A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting and Rebuilding Page 12-13DIY Wind Inspection Video Page 14Protecting Windows Page 15-16Protecting Garage Doors Page 17Protecting Entry Doors Page 18Retrofitting Roofs: Gable End Bracing Page 19Retrofitting Roofs: Decking Page 20Retrofitting Roofs: Strengthening Page 21Retrofitting Roofs: Underlayment Page 22-23Retrofitting Roofs: Coverings Page 24Rebuilding Roofs: Roof-to-Wall Connections Page 25Rebuilding Roofs: Creating a Load Path Page 26

Table of Contents

Rebuilding Roofs: Exterior Wall Sheathing/Siding Page 27A Volunteers Perspective: Safe Rooms Page 28-29A Tale of Two Homes: Tornado Page 30Make a Difference – Resources Page 31Amplify the Message: Become an Influencer Page 32High Wind Resources Page 33

Photos/VideosPhotos/Videos

(Users should insert photos and videos with short descriptors from the most recent

volunteer experience in the disaster zone)

My Story: A Volunteer’s Perspective

Photos/VideosPhotos/Videos

(Users should insert photos and videos with short descriptors from the most recent

volunteer experience in the disaster zone)


(Users should include important takeaways and lessons learned from the most recent volunteer experience in

the disaster zone)

Example takeaways below

• Families, homes and belongings can be protected against high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes before they strike

• There are cost-effective “Do-It-Yourself” as well as professional contractor options for high wind mitigation

• Lack of building codes or use of older codes can increase damage vulnerability and modern wind codes are stronger because they are refined to include lessons learned after disasters

• Dangerous conditions following disasters, can be as devastating as the original disaster, but taking mitigation steps can make a difference


Identify Your Risk

Communities should:• Identify High Wind Risks• Plan for the Worst

Consider this•90% of all tornadoes are EF-2 strength or lower•95% of damage occurs at EF-3 and below even during EF-4 or EF-5 tornado outbreaks

Can we affordably build to withstand tornadoes?•As little as 50¢ per square foot in metal connectors can deliver increased wind uplift resistance to meet the forces of EF-3 and below tornadoes

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Resilience and Affordability


• Affordably Protecting Your Home from High Wind

(Users should include important takeaways and lessons learned from the most recent volunteer experience in

the disaster zone)

Example takeaways below

• Families, homes and belongings can be protected against high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes before they strike

• There are cost-effective “Do-It-Yourself” as well as professional contractor options for high wind mitigation

• Lack of building codes or use of older codes can increase damage vulnerability and modern wind codes are stronger because they are refined to include lessons learned after disasters

• Dangerous conditions following disasters, can be as devastating as the original disaster, but taking mitigation steps can make a difference


Consider this•A package of high wind protection can cost as little as $1,100

Homeowners can:•Brace garage doors starting at $150 •Install plywood shutters from $275 to $750•Install aluminum shutters $7-$15 per foot•Seal roof decks for as little as $750•Install hurricane straps and clips for 50¢ each•Triple roof uplift resistance using premium adhesives at roof rafter/truss joints


The VOAD FEMA P-804 and P-499 Guides outline requirements, including materials and

techniques

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting and Rebuilding

DIY Wind Inspection Checklist

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting

DIY Wind Inspection Video

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting

Protecting Windows•Prevents internal pressurization•Prevents broken window glass •Reduces water intrusion

Do’s•Do purchase hurricane shutters or make temporary, emergency plywood shutters•Do install temporary shutters properly •Do invest in impact-resistant windows•Do Go Tapeless!

Don’ts•Don’t use duct or masking tape on windows•Don’t use window film in hurricane regions

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Openings

Protecting Windows - Video


Protecting Garage Doors•Garage doors cover the largest and most vulnerable opening•Garage doors can be braced affordably

Do’s•Do brace doors that aren’t wind-resistant or impact-resistant•Do purchase replacement garage doors that are pressure rated for the correct wind speed

Don’ts•Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning is issued before protecting your garage door


Protecting Entry Doors•Failure can lead to major damage

•Double entry doors are not as strong as single entry

•Doors that swing open inside are not as strong as outward swinging doors

Dos•Do ensure entry doors swing to the outside

•Do brace double entry doors

•Do install impact-resistant entry doors

•Do leave one door operable when shuttering to allow ingress/egress

Don’ts•Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning is issued to take these steps


Gable End Bracing •A gable roof forms a “standing A” shape•A gable roof can fail in high wind unless it is braced or constructed with balloon framing

Do’s•Do brace gable end walls•Do ensure adequate sheathing connection at the top of the gable end

Don’ts•Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning is issued before taking these steps

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Retrofitting Roofs

Roof Decking•Lightweight decking and weak nailing patterns can allow wind to rip sheathing from the roof

Do’s•Do install a solid plywood roof deck of 5/8” thickness to maximize wind-resistance

•Do use an adequate nailing pattern of 6” on center

•Do ensure that nails penetrate directly into roof framing

Don’ts•Don’t use staples to hold decking in place

•Don’t place nails more than six inches apart


Applying Wood Adhesive•Premium flooring adhesive can strengthen the connection between roof framing and decking

•Proper application of the right adhesive can increase roof uplift resistance by up to 3X

Do’s•Do apply a continuous ¼” bead of APA AFG-01 certified wood adhesive along the rafter/deck joint

Don’ts•Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning is issued to take this step


Roof Covering, Deck & Underlayment - Video


Secondary Water Barrier/Underlayment •Final line of defense against water intrusion through nail holes or joints if the roof is damaged

Do’s•Do check attic to confirm roof decking is properly nailed

•Do install self-adhering bitumen tape, strips or other secondary water barrier

•Do follow manufacturer’s instructions for installing roof coverings in high wind areas

•Do make sure roof decking is properly nailed

Don’ts•Don’t wait until a storm watch or warning is issued to take this step


Roof Coverings•Failure to use high wind roof coverings (metal, shingles or tile) in wind regions and/or incorrect roof covering installation can cause loss during high winds events, including hurricanes and tornadoes

Do’s•Do ensure that roof decking is properly nailed before installing roof coverings

•Do install roof covering that meets and exceeds building code requirements

•Do check the existing roof deck for adequate nailing and moisture damage before installing new coverings

Don’ts•Never install new roof coverings over an old layer of roofing


Roof-to-Wall Connections•The entire roof can fail when roof-to-wall connections fail in high wind. Traditional toe-nailed connections are weak and can allow the roof to detach in high wind leading to progressive building failure.

Do’s•Do use specified metal connectors to ensure a continuous load path from roof to walls and walls to foundation

Don’ts•Don’t use toe-nailing or other older connection methods. Use metal connectors, e.g. hurricane clips and straps instead.

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Rebuilding - Roofs

Exterior Wall – Creating a Load Path•Uplift loads must be carried on a strong path from the roof down into foundation

Do’s•Do connect the roof securely to the wall

•Do link walls to the foundation

Don’ts•Don’t just connect the roof and walls without adequate attaching the walls to foundation

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Rebuilding – Creating a Load Path

Exterior Wall – Sheathing/Siding •Siding is frequently blown off walls in high wind events

•Wind-driven rain is frequently blown into wall cavities

Do’s•Use 5/8” exterior grade plywood

•Use high wind rated products

•Use enhanced nailing patterns

Don’ts•Don’t use products that are not high wind rated

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Rebuilding – Sheathing/Siding

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Tornado Safe Rooms

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Tornado Safe Rooms

Tornado Safe Room Considerations:•Can be site-built or manufactured•Can be installed in new or existing homes•Can be located anywhere on the first floor, in a basement or outside

Be sure to:•Stock with flashlights, food, water and communication systems•Securely anchor the safe room or shelter to the foundation•Have a separate foundation if installed in or over a crawl space

Remember:•Do not build a safe room if you reside in a flood or storm surge evacuation zone•Always build to FEMA P-361 guidelines or the ICC/NSSA 500 standard•Designs found in FEMA P-320: Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small Business, meet the FEMA P-361 guidelines and the ICC/NSSA 500 standard

A Tale of Two Homes: Tornado

My Story: Make a Difference

Advocate for Resilience

• FLASH DIY Videos• FLASH Cards• How-to Animations

Amplify the Message: Become an Influencer

• Talk to community groups, including your own• Examples of local clubs you can reach out to:

Kiwanis clubs Exchange clubs Rotary clubs Women’s clubs Junior League Church youth groups Homeowner’s associations Local government meetings Local Chamber of Commerce Local young professional groups

• Traditional methods such as using flyers placed on billboards in cafes• Nontraditional ways such as social media and email• Host a volunteer “open house” event• Provide volunteer orientation/training • Host a luncheon

High Wind Resources

www.flash.orgwww.protect-your-home.org

www.youtube.com/stronghomes

Severe Winds FLASH Card

http://www.flash.org/resources/files/Severe%20Wind.pdf

Tornado Safety FLASH Card

http://www.flash.org/pdf/tornadoSafety0913.pdf

Safe Room FLASH Card

http://www.flash.org/resources/files/Safe%20Room.pdf

Hurricane FLASH Card

http://www.flash.org/resources/files/Hurricane.pdf

High Wind Video Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR7GhNEQT6T8lzKnjex1fHb4fJyhRboiT

Tornadoes: Safe Rooms

http://flash.org/peril_inside.php?id=177

http://www.flash.org/

Documents

The Mitigation Outreach Academy … An Introduction to High Wind