Winco’s Tornado-Resistant Windows Keep Occupants Safe!
Working and living in the Midwest’s Tornado Alley, we’ve learned a thing or two about twisters and their incredible destructive power. In recent years, many experts have noted that Tornado Alley appears to be expanding and shifting eastward, placing even more homes and businesses at risk across the Midwest and Southeast.
Unlike hurricanes, tornado design criteria are not “built into” the standard building codes. Specialized codes and specifications must be utilized by architects to plan for these events. Our chairman, Gantt Miller, led an AAMA task force to create a new voluntary specification, AAMA 512-11, Voluntary Specifications for Tornado Hazard Mitigating Fenestration Products, which provides a rating system to evaluate a window system’s ability to withstand impact, pressure cycling and water penetration. The level of testing depends on the type of facilities and FEMA performance zone where the building is located.
Many schools, hospital emergency rooms, police/fire headquarters and other public buildings are opting to include a safe room in their design. Since these rooms must also serve as workable space year round, windows are an important element.
The primary documents that address the requirements for a storm shelter are ICC 500 and FEMA P-361. This breaks down in to Tornado Shelters which require a 15 lb 2x4 shot at up to 100 MPH and Hurricane Shelters which require a 9 lb 2x4 shot at Half the Ultimate Design Wind Speed and hurricane cycling per ASTM E1886/E1996.
If a storm shelter is on your drawing board, give Winco a call. We’ll help guide you through your best options for tornado-resistant windows. For technical support, contact us or locate your local Representative.