47.5 MB - The Whole Building Design Guide

MAKING CRITICAL FACILITIES SAFE FROM High Wind 33.1 GENERAL DESIGNCONSIDERATIONSWind with sufficient speed to cause damage to weak criticalfacilities can occur anywhere in the United Statesand its territories. Even a well-designed, constructed,and maintained critical facility may be damaged in a wind eventmuch stronger than one the building was designed for. However,except for tornado damage, this scenario is a rare occurrence.Rather, most damage occurs because various building elementshave limited wind resistance due to inadequate design, poor installation,or material deterioration. Although the magnitude andfrequency of strong windstorms vary by locale, all critical facilitiesshould be designed, constructed, and maintained to minimizewind damage (other than that associated with tornadoes—seeSection 3.5).This chapter discusses structural, building envelope, andnonstructural building systems, and illustrates various types ofwind-induced damage that affect them. Numerous examples ofbest practices pertaining to new and existing critical facilities arepresented as recommended design guidelines. Incorporatingthose practices applicable to specific projects will result in greaterwind resistance reliability and will, therefore, decrease expendituresfor repair of wind-damaged facilities, provide enhancedprotection for occupants, and avoid disruption of critical services.1. The U.S. territories include American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ASCE provides basicwind speed criteria for all but Northern Mariana Islands.MAKING CRITICAL FACILITIES SAFE FROM High Wind3-1