![]() ![]() Figure 2. Every year, tornadoes and hurricanes cause injuries, deaths, and millions of dollars worth of property damage. For these reasons, wind pressures and debris impacts must be considered for spaces designated as safe rooms or tornado refuge areas. ![]() Homes that fail under the effects of extreme winds often appear to have exploded (Figure 2). Wind forces pressurizing the inside of the home, combined with suction forces acting on the outside of the home, often result in catastrophic building failure. When wind enters the home through a damaged window, door, or roof section, that wind pushes on the walls and roof from the inside. Winds of this magnitude cause outward pressure or “suction” on walls, roofs, doors, and windows. Although fewer than 5% of tornados have been classified as EF3 or greater, these extreme wind events have accounted for 86% of all tornado fatalities. These values represent wind speeds ranging from 65 mph to well over 200 mph. The severity of a tornado is categorized by the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) and ranges in values from EF0 to EF5. Understanding Tornado and Windstorm HazardsĪ tornado is a violently rotating column of air with wind speeds that can be significantly higher than the design wind speeds used in modern building codes (Figure 1). Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes: Guidance for Community and Residential Safe Rooms.Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings.Once the decision has been made to identify a refuge area, retrofit a home, or build a safe room, homeowners are encouraged to consult with a licensed design professional and review more detailed information, including: identifying refuge areas and safe room optionsĮach of these topics is intended to help homeowners and their contractors or builders assess windstorm risks and consider mitigation measures for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less.understanding tornado and windstorm hazards.This guide provides a general overview of strategies to improve occupant safety and minimize property damage for new and existing homes and includes guidance on the following: Figure 1. Tornados can exceed wind speeds of 200 mph. Department of Energy (DOE), along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies, promote windstorm preparedness and the adoption of windstorm mitigation measures. As part of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), the U.S. Every year, tornadoes and other extreme windstorm events cause numerous injuries and fatalities and cost millions of dollars worth of property damage throughout the United States. ![]()
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