| |
|
|
Department
of Energy/Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues Teams Investigate
Hurricane Charley One of the most comprehensive roofing investigations of a hurricane stricken area took place immediately after Hurricane Charley slammed into the South Florida coastline on August 13, 2004. The teams are now on standby for deployment to the Hurricane Frances damage area. Under the auspices of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), RICOWI investigators consisting of wind engineers, roofing material specialists, insurance analysts, structural engineers and roofing consultants were trained in wind issues by a number of the country’s leading scientists and others qualified in examining wind damage to roofing systems. The teams have been in place since 1996, but until Hurricane Charley, “there has not been a wind event that met the criteria of a wind storm with a sustained wind speed of 95 mph (1 minute sustained) or greater when it makes landfall on the continental US, in a populated area," said RICOWI Chair Joe Wilson. Between August 17-21, seven four-member teams and the ground coordination crew were deployed to the hurricane-damaged area and conducted investigations on all types of roofing systems. Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also assisted the teams. André Desjarlais of ORNL’s Buildings Technology Center said “ORNL has been working with private industry for some time to accelerate the acceptance of more energy efficient and durable roofing systems. One of the major elements to be produced from this investigation will be educational tools illustrating how to design and construct more durable and energy efficient roofs, and the serious consequences of falling short.” A profile will be developed as to the performance of various roofing systems in severe wind events leading to overall improvements in roof system durability, the reduction of waste generation from re-roofing activities, and a reduction in insurance losses that will lead to lower overall costs for the public. RICOWI is comprised of all of the major roofing associations and includes members of academia, educational and testing facilities, and others involved in the science of roofing. RICOWI’s website (http://www.ricowi.com/) provides details on both RICOWI’s Wind Investigation Program and its Hail Investigation Program, or contact Patty Wood-Shields at paws01@charter.net.
L-R: Peter Garrigus (SPRI), André Desjarlais (ORNL). Arthur Sark (RCI), Ross Robertson (Firestone) |
|
