In many areas of the United States, weather is an important factor in building planning. Buildings need to be able to withstand strong winds, heavy rain, and snow. So individual homes or commercial buildings often need to deal with the threat posed by wind. Wind can cause serious damage to a building. If the building’s infrastructure is not prepared to deal with it. Then it may end up requiring costly repairs and pose serious safety concerns. On the other hand, metal buildings have high wind ratings.
In the modern world, metal buildings are widely used in commercial buildings. This is because they remain strong in bad weather. pre-engineered steel buildings are constructed with steel frames, a strong and resilient material that can withstand tremendous forces.
If you want a building that can withstand the harsh local weather. Then a prefab steel building is a good choice. This blog post will go into detail about wind ratings for steel buildings and how to build buildings that can withstand strong winds.
Table of Contents
What Is Wind Uplift?
Strong winds can move or damage a building’s roof or foundation. The upward force created by wind is called wind uplift. When wind blows over a building’s roof or walls, it creates a low-pressure area above the roof and a high-pressure area below. The pressure difference creates an upward force that can be very dangerous in windy conditions such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or strong thunderstorms.
To protect yourself from such strong winds, you must choose a building solution that can withstand them since metal buildings are flexible and equipped with steel frames. This is why they are often used where high winds are raging. Traditional building materials can crack and break when subjected to external forces such as hurricanes or snow. Steel buildings, on the other hand, are not affected by harsh weather and can provide you with protection for a long time.
Now that we know what wind uplift is. Then let’s look at wind load ratings. When engineers check to see if a building can withstand wind uplift, they use the following ratings:
UL-580
The UL-580 test is used to check the ability of roofing materials, such as metal roofs, to withstand wind pressure. In the test, the roofing material is subjected to wind loads that simulate the forces generated by a strong storm. If the material passes the test, the UL-580 rating will indicate its wind pressure resistance.
FM Global Standard 4471
FM Global Standard 4471 is a set of standards for checking the wind pressure resistance of metal roofing systems. The roofing system is subjected to wind loads that simulate strong storms during the test. This test determines whether the roof system complies with FM Global Standard 4471.
ASCE 7-16
The ASCE 7-16 standard guides builders on how to construct metal buildings that can withstand wind loads. The standard takes into account a number of factors. For example, the location of the building and the wind speeds likely to occur in the area. Builders can follow the rules in ASCE 7-16 to ensure that their buildings can withstand wind loads and other weather-related hazards. For example, snow loads for steel buildings.
ASTM E 1592
ASTM E 1592 is a test method for testing a roofing system’s resistance to wind pressure. In the test, the roof is subjected to a virtual wind load to test its wind pressure resistance. Roofs that pass the test will receive an ASTM E 1592 rating.
UL 1897
UL 1897 is a standard for examining the wind pressure resistance of metal roofs and metal roof panels. In the test, the roofing material is subjected to wind loads that simulate strong storms. If the material passes the test, the UL 1897 rating will indicate its resistance to wind pressure.
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How to Make Sure Your Building Can Withstand the Wind
While metal buildings can withstand harsh conditions, not all steel buildings are created equal. Therefore, follow the right steps to ensure that your metal building is wind ratings compliant. Here are some very important ways to do this:
Buy a Certified Metal Building
One of the best ways to ensure that your building can withstand strong winds is to buy a certified building. Look for metal buildings for sale that have been certified by organizations such as the International Code Council (ICC). The commission is responsible for setting rules for building safety and performance. The certification ensures that the metal building is designed to withstand the normal winds, snow, and earthquakes in your area.
Building a Strong Foundation for Your Building
For a steel building to withstand wind uplift, you need a strong foundation. For best results, make sure your foundation is level, strong, able to support the weight of the building, and equipped with a suitable anchoring system.
Choosing the Right Frame
The frame of your building is another important factor to consider when it comes to wind rating. Most metal buildings use 14-gauge framing. However, if you live in an area with strong winds, you may need to use thicker 12-gauge framing to increase the strength of the building.
Orientation of the building
The wind ratings of a building also depend on its orientation. It is usually best to place the building on the leeward side of the wind. This helps to minimize the wind load on the building.
Reducing Building Height
The wind rating of a building also depends on its height. Generally, larger buildings are more susceptible to wind damage. Therefore, if possible, choose a shorter building height.
Area Around the Site
The environment around a site can affect the direction and speed of the wind. Ensure that the site is free of trees or other structures that could be blown away in strong winds. Also, you can take advantage of trees as they can block many high winds.
Can Metal Buildings Withstand Hurricanes and Tornadoes?
In certain areas of the United States, when storm and tornado season rolls around, they do pose a risk to people and property. Strong winds from these forces of nature can destroy buildings and cause severe damage.
While metal buildings are able to withstand strong winds, they also have strengths that are beyond their reach. For example, Category 1 storms (the weakest storms) can have wind speeds of more than 75 miles per hour. In more intense hurricanes, wind speeds can reach 150 miles per hour.
The same is true for tornadoes, with F-1 tornadoes having wind speeds between 73 and 112 miles per hour. When wind speeds reach such high levels, the structural integrity of any building can be called into question.
In the end, no building is safe from hurricane or tornado damage. However, when it comes to dealing with such forces, steel buildings are often the best choice for hurricane release.
Summary
If you live in an area where storms, heavy snow, and high winds regularly threaten your building and other belongings. Then you should purchase a metal building that can handle these conditions. For years, Xinguangzheng Steel Structures has been manufacturing a variety of metal buildings that are suitable for almost any environment. Browse our standard metal buildings page to find a pre-engineered steel building that fits your needs.