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New Data May Change Building Codes and Help Prepare for Future Disasters

Natural and man-made disasters cost private companies and the federal government billions every year. As new data is gathered, code development organizations are developing new provisions to ensure structures are safe and less likely to cause injury.

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Natural and man-made disasters cost private companies and the federal government billions every year, and these costs continue to rise. 

One way governments provide life safety is through building codes to ensure structures are safe and less likely to cause injury. As new data is gathered after disasters occur, code development organizations continue to update and develop new provisions. 

Don Allen director of technical services association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry

Don Allen is executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA).

How Tough Does a Building Need to Be?

Don Allen, SFIA executive director, believes building codes are changing. He sees trends underway to develop more resilient structures taking place within the building code arena, according to a recent AWCI’s Construction Dimensions article entitled, “Resilience: How Tough Does a Building Need to Be?”  

Functional Recovery 

The code philosophy is turning more to cost reduction after disasters, to shortening the time it takes for a community to reach “functional recovery.” 

Functional recovery refers to a community’s ability to return to a high degree of functionality. As learned during the recent pandemic, it can be difficult for small businesses to survive through extended periods of shutdown. If businesses do not have power, water or a stable roof, it becomes very difficult to stay open. 

It is up to communities to adopt and enforce building codes, and not all communities are willing to pay for more resilient buildings.

Probabilistic Models

Probabilistic models are being used to determine areas with the highest risk. These models produce a range of data that is built into the codes. The type of structures and its impact on life safety or replacement cost is taken into consideration. 

For example, if the structure must retain full functionality both during and after the event, then the design requires a much higher mean recurrence interval.

Design Loads

The document most referenced for design loads is the International Building Code is ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. 

ASCE 7 provides design charts and tables for various recurrence intervals of multiple hazards, allowing designers to choose what level of loading is most appropriate for their type of structure. There are certain minimums, but the existence of these tables allows owners and designers to choose higher levels of protection for their buildings if they are willing to pay the cost.

 

How much does a natural disaster cost?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published information on the average cost per event of damage for disasters in the United States between 1980 and 2022 (CPI adjusted):

  1. Tropical cyclones, $22.2 billion 
  2. Drought, $10.9 billion
  3. Wildfire, $6.3 billion
  4. Flooding, $4.8 billion
  5. Winter Storm, $4.2 billon
  6. Freeze, $3.9 billion
  7. Severe Storm, $2.4 billion

 

Prefabricated cold formed steel framing

Cold-formed steel fabricators can supply frames pre-assembled, pre-sorted and delivered to the job site in their precise order of erection.

CFS Can Help Prepare for ‘Big Events’ 

Are we prepared for the next big event? Allen notes that designers and planners should take into account the following facts when preparing for natural and man-made disasters:

  • The existing building stock requires upgrades to prepare for disasters
  • Renovation rather than demolition or rebuilding almost always has a much lower carbon impact
  • Wall and ceiling construction with cold-formed steel (CFS) framing are cost-effective and perform better than heavier systems in earthquakes
  • Light-frame construction saves weight, allowing additional stories to be added to existing buildings with little or no foundation upgrade
  • Off-site construction can speed the functional recovery of a community

“Although building codes play a role, the code is merely a minimum requirement,” says Allen. “It is useless if it is not adopted by states and local jurisdictions.”

“As citizens, we should all engage with our elected officials and let them know that current building codes are a simple, cost-effective way to build resilience in our communities,” says Allen.

 

5 Reasons Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Contributes to Resiliency

  1. CFS is highly ductile. CFS can easily bend or stretch without breaking when force is applied. This gives it a higher degree of resistance to lateral loads, uplift and gravity loading, such as those imposed on a structure by seismic or high wind events.
  2. CFS is non-combustible. According to the Steel Framing Industry Association, both load-bearing and non-load-bearing CFS-framed assemblies are fireproof up to four hours when subjected to tests conforming to ASTM E119.
  3. CFS is durable. CFS is corrosion resistant. It does not retain moisture and will not harbor mold growth. CFS uses zinc or similar coatings to boost durability and will last hundreds of years before its corrosion resistance deteriorates.
  4. CFS is impervious to pests. CFS is one of the few building materials completely impervious to termites and other pests in any climate or building type.
  5. CFS is a highly sustainable material. Steel framing contains on average a minimum of 25% recycled content and is 100% recyclable at the end of its life.

 

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