Wind Certification 101

WIND CERTIFICATION

We service the entirety of the US and as a result we have customers who live in areas that are subject to extreme weather conditions such as tornados, hurricanes, nor’easters, downbursts, derechos, squalls, waterspouts, dust storms, to name a few. The result of these types of weather is high wind speeds that can quickly turn your steel building into a flying object which can cause a massive amount of damage to property as well as possible injury and/or loss of life. It’s because of this that most municipalities require buildings like the ones Garage Buildings sells come with what is known as “wind certification.”

Wind certification is a systematic analysis of equipment for wind loading. Each part of the product needs to be evaluated including the Main Wind-Force Resisting System (MWFRS), components and cladding, and anchorage. Components and cladding receive the wind forces, while the MWFRS transfers the wind forces through the component and down to the supporting structure through the anchorage. A complete load path needs to be maintained throughout the equipment, down to the supporting structure.

A well-developed wind certification program requires detailed consideration of the equipment under consideration. In order to properly develop a program, certain key elements must be considered, including materials of construction, externally mounted sub-components, product options, mounting details, connected elements and details of construction. These items must be accounted for in the certification and appropriately documented so users understand certification limitations and ensure a valid wind certification for a given installation.

We also allow you to purchase a building with a wind certification even if your local government doesn’t require it if you would like to be prepared for everything. It’s a small fee that can give you peace of mind as well as actual security in the event high winds come your way. Give us a call today and let one of our building specialists go over everything with you!