NJ Structural Engineers Are Ready BEFORE Hurricane Season (Infographic)
The hurricane season that lasts from June through November can bring a sense of trepidation to most people, especially for the residents in New Jersey, and especially those who have experienced losses due to hurricane activity.
The Garden State has seen the remnants of some of the once-most powerful hurricanes that crossed the Atlantic – from the Gale of 1878 that washed out railroads and toppled the spire of 4th Presbyterian Church in Camden, through Hurricane Sandy that left millions of New Jersey residents without electricity for three weeks.
While the damages caused by hurricanes are often stressed through wrecked homes and fallen electrical lines, their immense intensity can be best realized by how much destruction they can inflict on seemingly indestructible buildings.
Based on an analysis by FEMA, Hurricane Sandy, which is said to be the strongest storm that ever rocked NJ, damaged nearly 72,000 buildings throughout its onslaught in the state, 507 of which were completely reduced to debris and 5,000 more suffered major structural damage from flooding and high winds.
No building of any size or purpose is safe from the incredible force of hurricanes, even the new ones. To ensure that the building will be able to stand up to hurricanes and remain operational after the storm strikes, it is imperative for owners and managers to retain the expertise of a professional and licensed structural inspector – long before the hurricane season starts.
Here are the reasons business owners and investors in New Jersey should hire a structural engineer when preparing their buildings for hurricane season.
- Minimize Damage and Enhance Building Stability Through a Structural Assessment
Hurricanes’ actual destructive force on buildings can be challenging to gauge, which makes structural engineers more valuable during disaster management. Usually, they will begin with a visual assessment of the building and look for tilts and land shifts, which may indicate foundation issues that could get worse during intense flooding.
They could also test the different materials used in the main components of the building, such as columns and exterior walls, to see if they are strong enough to withstand the force of high winds and flooding.
Through these tests, structural engineers are able to provide the owners with a detailed report that includes a recommendation for retrofit works that can be done as well as advanced construction materials that can be used to enhance the structural integrity of the building.
Options can include the use of hurricane straps to strengthen connections, improvement of load path and connectors, use of impact-resistant doors and windows, and installation of braces in roof trusses and gables.
- Reduce Liability Risks By Ensuring Duty of Care to Occupants
It is the obligation of the owner/s of a built structure to ensure that their property is safe and will not expose their occupants from any hazards that could be avoided through effective building design and construction. This obligation must always be met and is the critical focus in disaster management in many companies, and ultimately is where the expertise of a structural engineer is significant.
For instance, to ensure that occupants can act quickly and efficiently inside the building during the storm, structural engineers will see to it that the doors and hallways were reasonably designed and constructed in accordance with the local building and safety codes. They can also verify if the mechanical components of the building are installed correctly and have the necessary control systems that can be operated in case the building gets flooded.
Lastly, structural engineers can provide expert opinion on where the necessary early warning system and equipment can be installed across the property. Since they know which components of the building are the most vulnerable to damage, they can help the safety manager place necessary precautionary signage which would help prevent injuries or even fatalities inside the building when the storm strikes.
- Mitigate Issues That Can Lead to More Serious Damages
By hiring a structural engineer to conduct a full building inspection, building owners will also be able to identify existing issues which could transform into more serious structural problems due to heavy rain falls during the hurricane season.
Cracks in the foundation, walls, and roofs are just some of the most common structural issues that can turn into more costly issues when left unrepaired before the hurricane season begins.
The increase in humidity level, let alone the water that could seep through the cracks around the building during this season can lead to extensive mold growth, which would not only weaken the interior structure such as ceiling and wooden beams but could expose the occupants to serious health risks as well.
In conclusion, licensed and professional NJ structural engineers play a pivotal role in minimizing the structural damages that hurricanes can inflict on buildings in the Garden State.
Their expertise in assessing the overall structural soundness of a building and knowledge in latest technologies for structural enhancement make them the perfect ally for building owners who need the assurance that their property will endure the onslaught of hurricanes that will strike the region.
To learn more about how our professional engineers can help building owners in New Jersey prepare for the hurricane season, visit our website at www.lockatong.com
