Building Safety Hurricane Preparation

For those who live in coastal areas that are prone to hurricanes or hurricane winds, there are a variety of safety factors to be taken into consideration when building or renovation of a house or other structure. In 1994, two years after Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, Miami-Dade County has begun to develop local building codes, in particular, focused on improving the structural integrity of new buildings to reduce damage from hurricanes. Today, these building codes and regulations have been widely accepted in other areas of the cyclone, and is considered the "holy grail" of hurricane protection and security.

Product Control Department Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office has been accused of evaluation and certification of specific building materials to be compatible with winds of hurricane force. Since then, the organization has become an authoritative source of product creation and hurricane safe building materials. Many companies that produce construction materials, especially in hurricane shutters and shutter hardware, calling for respect of Miami-Dade County codes. However, it is important for consumers to remember that not all products have met the criteria of Miami-Dade. Before purchasing a building site, consumers should remember a lot of important things.

If a product has been tested and approved, it will be stamped "Miami-Dade County Product Control approved." Remember that this approval is valid for a specific product design. If the producer subsequently modified the design of the product can not be approved, which means they have to go through testing and certification process again. As for hurricane shutters functional, there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for Miami-Dade approved products.

The hardware components are made of is critical. Hardwoods, depending on their density, are considered the best material for hurricane shutters functional, based on criteria established by Miami-Dade Office of Building Code compliance. The code divides the timber into several categories, including category medium, heavy, heavy, very heavy, and the strongest, known as "Ironwood." Woods are classified as "iron" will actually sink in water.

Conifers such as pine, spruce, larch, Douglas fir, hemlock, and is considered less than optimal operational hurricane shutters, and is generally not recommended.

There are some hurricane shutters on the market made from composite materials, usually containing resin-based plastics such as ABS and nylon. These composite shutters are usually able to go to Miami-Dade verify code compliance.

Metal blinds can be found, and usually are inexpensive to buy, but generally considered a last resort, or something that can be installed in a hurry if a hurricane is approaching, and no time for a system sophisticated sealing.

Shutter Hardware will also be classified as conforming or not conforming to building codes in Miami-Dade. Again, the same basic guidelines apply: A stamp of approval applies only to specific product design has been tested and certified. If a manufacturer changes later, the design, the product does not meet until it is retested.

Most building codes in Miami-Dade in relation to the filler material will address the type of metal used in the hardware. The importance lies in the use of good quality metal that will not break or fracture easily. Cast aluminum and zinc die should therefore be avoided. Steel is considered the best material to use with stainless steel tops the list as the best quality product. Stainless steel has a good tensile strength and the material will not rust or tarnish when exposed to salt water conditions that are prevalent in coastal areas prone to cyclones. Carbon steel is cut and shaped also a good choice because it is very hard, but the steel rusts quickly and deteriorate when exposed to salty conditions.

If you plan to buy a house, located in a hurricane zone, you must remember to ask your realtor if the structure is consistent with the Miami-Dade Building Code. If you already live in one of these areas and you are ready to rebuild or maybe build a new home, ask your contractor about building codes, and be sure he or she is ready to build after the Miami- Dade County standards. Hurricane force winds will quickly damage and take lives. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to listen to the warnings, but also ensure that your home is well built and have functional exterior shutters in accordance with the standards of Miami-Dade.