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HOW & WHY TO RETROFIT YOUR METAL ROOF FOR HURRICANE WIND RESISTANCE

While metal roofs are strong, not all stand up to the battering of hurricane-force winds. 

A good number of metal roofs need retrofits to fortify the strength of the structure.

There are all building codes to consider when building a metal roof, one of which is strong windstorm resistance. Wind uplift and negative pressure is a real problem for any type of pitched roof, no matter what it’s made of. Therefore building codes need to be more stringent as we experience the realities of weather.

Your metal roof may not necessarily have a sufficient wind uplift rating for your particular geographical region especially at coastal regions. It is advisable that your roof be anchored down right or the entire thing; including rafters, decking, and ductwork, can be ripped right off the building.

A retrofit for your existing metal roof will fortify the strength of the structure to resist high winds.

Anchoring Your Metal Roof

Not all metal roofs are built the same way. One of the most important aspects of the construction is how it is anchored to the building.

When installing the various anchoring systems for wind mitigation retrofits, it’s important not to violate the integrity of the roof or the warranties associated with it.

There are many things that will need to be anchored, such as trusses and wind-performance systems.  The anchoring fortifies the strength of the entire metal roof structure.

Install Hurricane Straps

The trusses of your metal roof are likely not anchored with hurricane tie straps.

There are two basic types of hurricane straps (or clips). One type wraps around the roof trusses and is anchored to the wall. The other is just anchored to the wall and trusses.

The first type of strap is going to hold the trusses more securely. The retrofit helps your metal roof to resist the upward force of hurricane winds.

Install Gable End Bracing

The gable ends of the metal roof are vulnerable to high winds. This is why so many roofs come off during hurricanes.

Gable end bracing is one retrofit that needs to be done. It is installed to anchor the gable construction with the timber or metal roofing products.

A roofing specialist will need to determine which retrofit would be necessary because it varies between roof types and the roof load involved.

Install Roof-to-Wall Connections

Roof to wall connections anchor the metal roof structure to the walls. There are several different retrofits that can be used.

Toe nailing is the weakest type and anchor bolts are one of the strongest. Again, the method used will depend on the type of walls of the building and the type of roof deck involved.

The COVID-19 Pandemic - A national disaster?

 

Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Monday 13 April 2020 signed a presidential decree declaring COVID-19 a national disaster - only the third time the country has done so. It signalled that the country had to take serious measures to treat with the crisis.

Their national response framework is similar to Trinidad and Tobago. Despite our experiences thus far, the Pandemic has not been considered to be an emergency in Trinidad and Tobago. Should it be? What should be the threshold? Leave your comments below:

Solutions to flooding

 

Urbanization has contributed in part to flooding in our country. However we all have a right to a comfortable shelter and enjoyment of property. What do you recommend we do as citizens to reduce the impact of flooding? Leave your recommendations in the comments below.

Strong winds and gust

 It does not take a storm or hurricane to cause a disaster. Localized disasters can occur from just the strong winds and dust created from brief  thunderstorms. We should take heed and prepare ourselves fore such occurrences.

Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water

 

In an emergency situation where regular water service has been interrupted – like a hurricane, flood, or water pipe breakage – local authorities may recommend using only bottled water, boiled water, or disinfected water until regular water service is restored. The instructions below show you how to boil and disinfect water to kill most disease-causing microorganisms that may be present in the water. However, note that boiling or disinfection will not destroy other contaminants, such as heavy metals, salts, and most other chemicals. 

ONLY USE WATER THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK, WASHING DISHES AND FOR BRUSHING TEETH.

Tip 1: Use bottled water

Use bottled water or water you have properly prepared and stored as an emergency water supply.



Tip 2: Boil water

Boil water, if you do not have bottled water. Boiling is sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa (WHO, 2015).If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, towel, or coffee filter.

Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. 

Let water cool naturally and store it in clean containers with covers. 

To improve the flat taste of boiled water, add one pinch of salt to each quart or litre of water, or pour the water from one clean container to another several times.

Tip 3: Disinfect the water

Disinfect water using household bleach, if you can’t boil water. Only use regular, unscented chlorine bleach products that are suitable for disinfection and sanitization as indicated on the label. The label may say that the active ingredient contains 6 or 8.25% of sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleaches with added cleaners.If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter.

1. Locate a clean dropper from your medicine cabinet or emergency supply kit.

2. Locate a fresh liquid chlorine bleach or liquid chlorine bleach that is stored at room temperatures for less than one year.

3. Use the table below as a guide to decide the amount of bleach you should add to the water, for example, 8 drops of 6% bleach, or 6 drops of 8.25% bleach, to each gallon of water. Double the amount of bleach if the water is cloudy, colored, or very cold.

4. Stir and let stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat the dosage and let stand for another 15 minutes before use.

5. If the chlorine taste is too strong, pour the water from one clean container to another and let it stand for a few hours before use.

Other Disinfection Methods



If you don’t have liquid bleach, you can use one of the other disinfection methods described below:

Common household iodine (or “tincture of iodine”). You may have iodine in your medicine cabinet or first aid kit. Add five drops of 2% tincture of iodine to each quart or liter of water that you are disinfecting. If the water is cloudy or colored, add 10 drops of iodine. Stir and let the water stand for at least 30 minutes before use.

Water disinfection tablets. You can disinfect water with tablets that contain chlorine, iodine, chlorine dioxide, or other disinfecting agents. These tablets are available online or at pharmacies and sporting goods stores. Follow the instructions on the product label as each product may have a different strength.

Landfill fires - A threat to the City

 Should we not look at safe disposal practices and recycling in managing our garbage before its too late?

Leave your comments below.

Hot spell or Heat Wave

 

Trinidad and Tobago recorded its highest temperatures for the year during the period 20th to 26th September 2020. Trinidad experienced temperatures above 34 degrees Celcius while Tobago experienced temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius.

According to the MET Office, we experience our hottest temperatures in September and October. A normal hot spell otherwise called a heatwave occurs when highest daily temperatures are above 34 degrees C in Trinidad and above 32 degrees C in Tobago for five or more consecutive days. A short spell meets the same criteria for temperature but for 3 or more consecutive days.

Here are 5 tips to keep safe during a Hot spell

1. Dress for the weather

2. Avoid Strenuous Outdoor Activities

3. Keep Cool

4. Protect Those Most at Risk

5. Stay hydrated