Fortified: Existing Buildings

1
Fortified Existing Buildings

• Broken out by perils
• Hurricane
• High-wind Hail
• Wildfire
• Seismic
• Freezing weather
• Internal fire
• Internal water
• Flood

2
Fortified Existing Buildings

• Up to three levels of designation
• Each level should be a set of retrofit activities
  that
• Together provide a meaningful reduction in risk
  and vulnerability.
• For Natural Hazards, correlated with different
  levels of events.
• Can be accomplished incrementally to move from
  one level to the next

3
Fortified Existing Buildings Hurricane (Level 1)

• Goal Minimal damage and loss in Category 1 storm
• Basic Requirement Limit damage to roof and
  related water intrusion
• Technical approach 1 Reroof the right way
• Re-nail the roof sheathing
• Improve anchorage of roof deck/outlookers at
  gable ends
• Reduce chances of attic ventilation system
  failure
• Provide backup water intrusion protection for
  interior
• Apply high-wind rated roof cover
• Technical approach 2 When reroofing does not
  make sense (Cover lt 5 years old Tile or Metal in
  good condition)
• Reduce chances of attic ventilation system
  failure
• Improve anchorage of roof deck/outlookers at
  gable ends
• Apply acceptable closed cell foam adhesive in
  attic to all roof sheathing joints and to joint
  between sheathing and framing

4
Fortified Existing Buildings Hurricane Level 2

• Goal Minimal damage and loss in Category 2 storm
• Basic requirements
• Limit damage to roof and related water intrusion
• Protect all openings and improve water intrusion
  protection
• Strengthen large gable end walls and attached
  structures
• Technical approach
• All level 1 Hurricane requirements (approach 1 or
  2) plus
• Provide protection for glazed openings (including
  permanent installation of anchors / tracks)
• Protect entry doors from failures due to wind
  pressure or debris impact
• Caulk and seal around openings, plan for water
  management
• Protect garage doors by replacement or bracing
• Strengthen gable ends over 4-feet tall (wall
  members and anchorage at top and bottom)
• Improve anchorage and bracing of attached
  structures

5
Fortified Existing Buildings Hurricane Level 3

• Goal Minimal damage and loss in Category 3 storm
• Basic requirements
• Limit damage to roof and related water intrusion
• Protect all openings
• Strengthen large gable end walls
• Improve structural connections throughout
  structure
• Technical approach
• All Level 1 (approach 1 or 2) and Level 2
  Hurricane requirements plus
• Chimneys anchored to structure
• Roof structure evaluated and strengthened to new
  model code requirements
• Roof-to-wall connections strengthened to new
  model code requirements
• Wall-to-foundation load path strengthened to new
  model code requirements
• Windows replaced with pressure rated units
• Garage door and tracks meet new model code
  pressure requirements

6
Fortified Existing Buildings High-Wind Hail
Level 1

• Goal Minimal damage and loss in Thunderstorm or
  EF-0 Winds
• Basic requirement Limit damage to roof and
  related water intrusion
• Technical approach Reroof the right way
• Re-nail the roof sheathing
• Improve anchorage of roof at gable ends
• Provide backup water intrusion protection for
  interior
• Apply high-wind and impact rated roof cover

7
Fortified Existing Buildings High-Wind Hail -
Level 2

• Goal Minimal damage and loss in EF-1 Winds
• Basic requirements
• Limit damage to roof and related water intrusion
• Improve key structural connections
• Reduce risk of tree related damage
• Technical approach
• All Level 1 High-Wind Hail requirements plus
• Improve anchorage of roof at gable ends
• Brace gable ends
• Chimneys anchored to structure
• Anchor and brace porches, entry overhangs and
  attached structures
• Prune trees to reduce risk of trees falling on
  house

8
Fortified Existing Buildings High-Wind Hail
Level 3

• Goal Minimal damage and loss in EF-2 Winds
• Basic Requirements
• Limit damage to roof and related water intrusion
• Structural connections meet minimum requirements
  for engineering design using 110 mph design wind
  speed
• Reduce risk of tree related damage
• Technical approach
• All Level 1 and Level 2 High-Wind Hail
  requirements plus
• Roof structure evaluated and strengthened to 110
  mph model code requirements
• Wall-to-foundation load path strengthened to 110
  mph model code requirements
• Garage door and tracks meet 110 mph model code
  pressure requirements

9
Fortified Existing BuildingsWildfire Level 1

• Goal Minimize risk of structural fire from brush
  wildfire
• Basic requirements
• Fire resistant roof covering
• Control of ember entry through vents, keep
  gutters free of debris
• Reduce fire risk from vegetation close to house
• Reduce risk from combustible materials near house
• Technical approach
• Class A fire-rated roof covering or assembly
• Soffit and other vents covered with 1/8 to ¼
  metal mesh screening
• Overhanging tree branches cut back 10-ft from
  house
• Move combustible material to an enclosed area
  30-ft away from house
• Prune trees to eliminate ladder fuels (fuel that
  allow fire to climb into upper portion of the
  tree)

10
Fortified Existing BuildingsWildfire Level 2

• Goal Minimize risk of structural fire from crown
  wildfire
• Basic requirements
• Fire resistant roof covering
• Control of ember entry through vents, keep
  gutters free of debris
• Protection of glazed openings
• Reduce fire risk from vegetation and trees within
  100-ft of house
• Reduce risk from combustible materials and
  structures near house
• Technical approach
• All level 1 requirements plus install system to
  keep debris out of gutters
• All windows are double pane with tempered outer
  layer
• Maintain or remove plants that generate dead
  material next to house
• Maintain 100-ft of defensible space around house
• If you have open eave construction, plug
  openings, install a non-combustible covering, box
  in eaves with non-combustible materials

11
Fortified Existing BuildingsWildfire - Level 3

• Goal Minimize risk of structural fire from wind
  driven wildfire
• Basic requirements
• Fire resistant roof covering
• Control of ember entry through vents, keep
  gutters free of debris
• Protection of glazed openings
• Reduce risk of fire catching wall materials or
  soffits
• Reduce fire risk from vegetation and trees within
  100-ft of house
• Reduce risk from combustible materials and
  structures near house
• Technical approach
• All level 1 and level 2 requirements
• If house is sided with combustible material,
  re-side house with fire resistive siding
• Decks made of fire resistive materials, no
  combustible fences within 10-ft of house,
  combustible yard structures located at least
  30-ft from house

12
Fortified Existing BuildingsSeismic Level 1

• Goal Reduce non-structural damage in the event
  of a moderate earthquake
• Basic requirements
• Anchor water heater to wall structure
• Restrain furniture, heavy objects, valuables
• Restrain breakable objects on shelves
• Reduce chances of broken glass
• Technical approach
• Strap water heater to wall structure
• Fasten bookcases and cabinets to nearby walls
• Install latches on cabinet doors and drawers
• Secure electronic equipment, artwork and
  breakable items
• Apply safety film to glass in windows and doors

13
Fortified Existing BuildingsSeismic Level 2

• Goal Reduce structural and non-structural
  damage in the event of a moderate earthquake
• Basic requirements
• Restrain water heater, furniture, heavy objects,
  valuables
• Restrain breakable objects reduce chances of
  broken glass
• Reinforce cripple wall, including adding
  hold-down connectors in the corners of the house
• Strengthen narrow walls on either side of garage
  opening
• Anchor unreinforced chimneys
• Technical approach
• All level 1 requirements
• Strengthen and anchor cripple walls and narrow
  walls on either side of garage opening
• Anchor chimney to wall structure

14
Fortified Existing BuildingsSeismic Level 3

• Goal Reduce structural and non-structural
  damage in the event of a design basis earthquake
• Basic requirements
• Restrain water heater, furniture, heavy objects,
  valuables
• Restrain breakable objects reduce chances of
  broken glass
• Reinforce cripple wall, including adding
  hold-down connectors in the corners of the house
• Strengthen narrow walls around garage openings
  anchor chimneys
• Improve load path to foundations
• Technical approach
• All level 1 and level 2 requirements
• Add anchor bolts with steel plates to tie walls
  to foundation
• Add hold-down anchors to tie first floor corner
  studs to foundations
• Secure post-and-pier foundation
• Strengthen walls

15
Fortified Existing BuildingsFreezing Weather
Level 1

• Goal Reduce chances of freezing weather damage
  when power is maintained
• Basic requirements
• Reduce chances of frozen pipes
• Reduce chances of ice dams and water leaks in
  roof
• Technical approach
• Install frost proof faucets on all outdoor hose
  connections
• Make sure hoses are disconnected and removed
  during cold weather
• Seal air leaks in exterior walls near areas where
  water pipes exist
• Seal around any concentrated heat sources in
  attic and improve insulation around potential
  heat sources
• Install insulation around any exposed pipes in
  crawl spaces or basements

16
Fortified Existing BuildingsFreezing Weather
Level 2

• Goal Reduce chances of freezing weather damage
  when power is lost
• Basic requirements
• Reduce chances of frozen pipes
• Reduce chances of ice dams and water leaks in
  roof
• Technical approach
• All level 1 requirements
• Make sure there are no water pipes in exterior
  walls
• Insulate vents and walls in crawl spaces or
  basements
• Install ice and water shield to roof deck along
  eaves that extends 24 inside exterior wall

17
Fortified Existing BuildingsInternal Fire
Level 1

• Goal Reduce chances that a fire will be
  initiated in your home
• Basic requirements
• Reduce chances of fire initiated in walls
• Reduce chances that fire will be initiated by
  lightening strike
• Reduce chances that fire will be initiated by
  dryer
• Early detection of fires / Ability to handle
  kitchen fire
• Technical approach
• Check outlets for loose connections (outlet and
  wires)
• Install whole house surge protection, check/fix
  grounding
• Isolate flexible gas lines from other metal
  systems and properly ground
• Clean / replace dryer vent pipe
• Install at least one wired smoke detector and
  system of detectors that all trigger when one
  triggers
• Make sure charged BC Fire extinguisher is
  available in kitchen

18
Fortified Existing BuildingsInternal Fire
Level 2

• Goal Reduce chances that fire will spread
  beyond a single room
• Basic requirements
• Provide means for controlling fire and hopefully
  putting it out
• Technical approach
• All level 1 requirements
• Install NFPA D13 compliant home sprinkler system

19
Fortified Existing BuildingsInternal Water
Level 1

• Goal Reduce chances of most common internal
  water leaks from fixtures and equipment
• Basic requirements
• Reduce chances of leaks/bursting water hoses
• Reduce chances of water heater leaks
• Reduce chances of water leaks from kitchen and
  bath fixtures
• Check icemaker piping
• Reduce chances of water leaks from A/C drain pan
• Technical approach
• Replace washing machine hoses with braided metal
  shielded hoses
• Periodically drain water heater check/replace
  anode
• Check operation of all shutoff valves for
  fixtures
• Check icemaker pipes for signs of deterioration
  have replaced if needed
• Clean A/C drain pan drain and possibly add second
  drain line

20
Fortified Existing BuildingsInternal Water
Level 2

• Goal Reduce chances of large water losses if
  something does break
• Basic requirements
• Reduce chances of leaks/bursting water hoses
• Reduce chances of water heater leaks
• Reduce chances of water leaks from kitchen and
  bath fixtures
• Check icemaker piping
• Provide automatic shutoff of water in the event
  of a leak or A/C drain pan clogged drain
• Technical approach
• All of level 1 requirements
• Install leak monitoring system with automatic
  shutoff of water supply
• Install float shutoff control for A/C
• Install shutoff and notify system for water
  heaters in attic or above living space

21
Fortified Existing BuildingsFlood Level 1

• Goal Reduce flood related damage from
  relatively common low level flooding
• Basic requirements
• Reduce chances of flooding and damage in
  basements
• Reduce chances of flood damage in habitable space
• Technical approach
• Install sump pump in basement with battery backup
• Use water resistant materials for wall and floor
  finishes in basement or in lower level of
  habitable space
• No wall-to-wall carpeting in flood prone areas
• Make sure all utilities are located above areas
  prone to flooding

22
Fortified Existing BuildingsFlood Level 2

• Goal Reduce chances that the home will flood to
  1 per year (less than 40 in fifty years)
• Basic requirements
• Elevate habitable space
• Minimize chances of damage to floor and walls
• Minimize disruption/damage to utilities
• Technical approach
• All level 1 requirements as appropriate
• Elevate such that lowest habitable space is at
  least 1-ft above base flood elevation (BFE) or
  advisory base flood elevation (ABFE)
• Use water resistant wall materials, floor
  coverings, and insulation in any areas located
  below BFE or ABFE
• Locate all utilities electrical outlets,
  wiring, compressors, air handlers, ductwork, etc.
  above BFE or ABFE

23
Fortified Existing BuildingsFlood Level 3

• Goal Reduce chances that the home will flood to
  0.2 per year (less than 10 in fifty years)
• Basic requirements
• Elevate habitable space
• Minimize chances of damage to floor and walls
• Minimize disruption/damage to utilities
• Technical approach
• All level 1 requirements as appropriate
• Elevate such that lowest habitable space is above
  500-year flood elevation
• Use water resistant wall materials, floor
  coverings, and insulation in any areas located
  below 500-year flood elevation
• Locate all utilities electrical outlets,
  wiring, compressors, air handlers, ductwork, etc.
  above 500-year flood elevation