The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Southeast Region Spring Meeting, held in Charlotte, N.C., May 3-4, featured a tour of the new Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) testing facility that simulates hurricane conditions. Representatives from IBHS offered information on the validation work that involves flow stimulation development and testing of a replica of the Texas Tech experimental building.

“It was incredibly valuable for AAMA members to attend the new IBHS Research Center to learn firsthand of the proactive work of the Institute in identifying conditions associated with adverse weather in order to improve the resilience of homes against natural disasters,” says Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO. “IBHS Research Director Dr. Anne Cope indicated that she would be calling on AAMA in the very near future to help IBHS develop testing protocols for the evaluation of windows, doors and skylights under full scale extreme wind, rain and wildfire threats. We look forward to working with IBHS to better furnish and prepare structures for future hurricane seasons and urban wildfire events.”

Following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008, researchers from IBHS worked with the University of Florida to investigate the performance of asphalt shingle roofs in real-world storm conditions, based on the damaged homes along the coastlines of Louisiana and Texas. IBHS conducts a range of scientific research studies with the goal of influencing residential and commercial structural design in order to reduce and prevent building damage or loss due to natural disasters. IBHS reports that natural disaster related losses totaled more than $26 billion across the U.S. in 2009 alone, and these losses are expected to double every decade.

Wayne Gorell, CEO of Gorell Windows & Doors,  attended the Spring Meeting earlier this week. “I was impressed with the quality of the presentations and how relevant they were on issues affecting our industry,” said Gorell. “From the new hurricane regulations to the lead remediation laws, the information presented was invaluable. The trip to the IBHS facility was fascinating- the facility can simultaneously test two full-size houses, taking them to the point of destruction by simulating 140 mph winds, rain, and even the effects of brush fires. Overall, it was a great meeting with lots of valuable, useful information.”

The IBHS wind testing facility, capable of subjecting whole houses to hurricane-force winds, flying embers and drenching simulated rain, became fully operational in October. This video shows two houses being subjected to Category 3 hurricane-force winds. One house is built to typical Midwest code standards; that house is destroyed by the wind. The other has a variety of enhanced structural details, specified by the IBHS Fortified program. The Fortified house survives with minor damage. For more information related to the research being conducted by IBHS, go to disastersafety.org.

The Southeast Region Spring Meeting also featured presentations on the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Regulations, as well as an overview on building codes in the U.S. Southeast Region and a update on national AAMA activities.

For more information on the activities and events of the AAMA Southeast Region, visit www.aamanet.org/southeastregion.

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