Windows and glass doors are a normal and brightening part of life in any Home or Business but in a natural disaster glass can break, sometimes explosively, putting occupants in danger not only from the flying glass but also from exposure to the violence of the elements outside the building.

• Businesses have either double or single entry doors. If they are solid wood or hollow metal, they probably can resist wind pressures and hurricane debris. Nonetheless, the following precautions should be taken to ensure that the doors do not fly open during and expose the center to additional damage:
  
  
  • Install head and foot bolts on the inactive door of double entry doors.
    
    
  • Make sure the doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt security lock which has a minimum one-inch bolt throw length.
    
    
  • Since double entry doors fail when their surface bolts break at the header trim or threshold, check the connections at both places. Be sure the surface bolt extends to the door header and through the threshold into the sub floor. See figure 12 for information.
    

Figure 12: Double Entry Door Elevation

Figure 12a: Header Detail

 

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Figure 12b: Footer Detail

 

• Apply a protective safety film to windows and glass doors to make them safer.
  
  • A protective film (minimum thickness of 4 mils) can be used on all types of glass including tempered glass and annealed glass. It comes in rolls and is available at local hardware, and home improvement stores. Install the film according to the manufacturer's instructions. The installation process usually includes the following steps:
    
    1. Precut the film to a size slightly larger than the windowpane to which will be applied.
       
    2. Clean the glass.
       
    3. Moisten the glass with water from a spray bottle.
       
    4. Peel off the removable backing and apply the film to the glass.
       
    5. Use soapy water and a squeegee to smooth the film and remove air bubbles.
       
    6. Cut away any excess film with a utility knife. Be careful not to score the glass.
       
       
  • As an alternative, consider professional installation.
    
    
• In areas of the country where hurricanes pose a substantial threat, stronger protection required. Shutters provide a good method of safeguarding windows and glass doors against wind-borne debris. In addition, they can reduce damage caused by sudden pressure changes when a window or door is broken. Many different designs of shutters are available, including temporary and permanent systems.
  

Temporary Shutter Systems

The easiest designs are those which simply cover the opening with a structural panel such as plywood. In past hurricanes, however, temporary plywood shutters have blown off because they were not adequately fastened. Be sure the center's owners and employees know how to properly attach the panels over the openings before a hurricane approaches. It is a good idea to have these temporary shutters stored on-site and ready to use for the next hurricane warning. If the center is made with concrete blocks, the anchoring devices for the shutters should be installed as part of the nonstructural retrofit.

The APA -The Engineered Wood Association offers a series of hurricane shutter designs which meet all necessary standards for resisting wind forces and wind-borne debris. Each design is available from APA, phone (253) 620-7400 or http://www.apawood.org.

They Include:

Design I: Shutters for Wood-Frame Buildings
Design 2: Shutters for Masonry Block Structures, Barrel Bolt Latch Supports
Design 3: Shutters for Masonry Block Structures, Steel or Aluminum Angle and Screw Supports
Design 4: Shutters for Masonry Block Structures, Shutters Attached to Outside Wall with Permanently Mounted Brackets
Design 5: Shutters for Masonry Block Structures, For Openings Wider than Eight Feet

 

The detail diagrams shown in Figures 13 and 14 illustrate how shutters can be installed in wood-frame structure (APA Design 1)

Figure 13a: Shutter Attachment - View From Outside

Figure 13b: Shutter Stiffener Attachment - If Required

Shutter details courtesy of APA - The Engineered Wood Association

Figure 14a: Shutter Attachment - Top

Figure 14b: Shutter Attachment - Bottom

Permanent Shutter Systems

• Existing Systems
  Some centers may have permanent shutters. While it takes very little time and effort to evaluate shutter effectiveness, the benefits of properly protected doors and windows are, substantial. The nonstructural retrofit presents an ideal time to inspect the shutters.
  
  
  • To determine whether a shutter can resist the impact of a rigid piece of debris, gently lean against it and see if it yields. A very flexible shutter may bend and break if struck by debris.
    
    
  • Also examine the shutters to see if they are properly attached to the structure and will not fly off during a storm. Focus on inspecting the shutter connectors for obvious excessive wear or missing connectors.
    
    
• New Systems

  If you are interested in installing a permanent shutter system or impact-resistant windows, care should be taken to ensure that the system meets the necessary standards for resisting wind forces and wind-borne debris. Currently, only the South Florida Building Code and the Southern Building Code Congress International have missile impact test standards. Permanent and temporary shutters, and impact-resistant windows and doors should meet one or all of these standards:
  

  • SSTD-12: Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) Wind-borne Debris Impact Tests
    
  • A 201: Impact Test Procedures, Metropolitan Dade County Building Code Compliance Office
    

Necessary Tools and Materials



	Safety film	______	quantity		Plywood	______
	Spray bottle with clean water	______			Saw	______
	Squeegee	______			Heavy-duty fasteners	______
	Soapy water	______			Measuring tape	______
	Utility knife	______			Stud locator	______