An Atmosphere For Acoustics

tions exceed the rated/code requirements for water penetration.” While improvements have been made to reduce water intrusion from wind-driven rain, it is prudent to get back into each building quickly after the storm to dry out the interior.

Danger from rising water due to storm surge or flooding, an issue separate from wind-driven rain, can also be difficult to prevent. Rising water is best controlled by elevating functional areas above predicted flood and wave-action levels or by building outside the floodplain. Existing buildings located inside or below the floodplain pose a dual challenge, especially in areas prone to flash flooding.

ENTRANCE DESIGN IS CRUCIAL Commercial entrances are particularly vulnerable to water intrusion. Typically, commercial entrances must meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Emergency Egress requirements, which ensure that there is an unobstructed entry/exit path to a structure. However, commercial entrances are exempt from water-test requirements, which can be problematic when dealing with severe-weather conditions. While a building may have been built to meet and even exceed strong hurricanes, such as Harvey and Irma, if the entrance is not taken into consideration in the project design and execution, water intrusion may still occur.

One way to better protect commercial entrances from water intrusion is to consider installing a roof or entrance overhang. Overhangs are well known for their energy-saving properties, as they effectively reduce solar-heat gain by providing additional shade. They can also keep wind-driven rain from entering entrances, windows, and the foundation of the building envelope, reducing overall water pressure.

The Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art in Daytona Beach, FL, is a great example of this. The museum opened to the public in 2015 and serves as a sanctuary for local residents and a destination for visitors interested in exploring Florida history. RLF Architects, Orlando, FL (rlfarchitects.com), designed the building, which was built to resemble an old, rural Florida home and reflect the rich history of the artwork housed there.

Hurricane-resistance was a key component in the design process and impact-resistant products were used throughout the building. The YHS 50 TU impactresistant storefront, YHC 300 OG impact-resistant curtain wall, and Model 35 H impact-resistant entrances, manufactured by YKK AP America Inc., were used on the building. An overhang was also integrated to add to the character of the building and provide additional protection from wind-driven rain.

When Hurricane Irma hit in 2017, the museum served as a shelter for staff members who needed to stay on the property and those who weren’t able to leave town. Despite nearly 7 in. of rain, combined with 60-to-80-mph wind gusts, the building resisted flooding and damage.

Even overhangs may not be enough to prevent water intrusion from severe wind-driven rain during a hurricane. Another consideration when designing a building entrance is to use hard-surface floors and properly equip the interior of the entrance with strategically placed drains. Ideally this type of drainage will be coupled with an entrance awning or overhang for maximum protection.

In more-extreme situations, rising water from flash flooding or water pooling in low-lying areas is a life-safety concern for entrances and the surrounding fenestration. The rate-of-rise of floodwaters for an at-risk site needs to be determined and paired with adequate warning time to allow evacuation. Specialty flood doors may be used to hold back rising waters and keep the path of egress open for the required warning period.

ACOUSTICS Sound may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking of a hurricane-resistant building, but one lesson

Hurricane Irma taught us is it’s a wise consideration to keep in mind. When the Papp family sought refuge at the Hyatt House, what they didn’t know, but quickly came to appreciate, was that, in addition to the impact-resistant requirements of the building, stringent acoustical requirements were considered in its design.

While Hyatt House is in a vulnerable location due to its proximity to the coast, it is also in a noisy location, at the end of the Naples Airport runway. YKK AP designers worked closely with glazing contractor Mullet’s Aluminum Products Inc., Sarasota, FL (mulletsaluminum.com) to ensure products were developed and installed to deliver the highest sound performance possible. Thermally broken, impact-resistant fixed windows and thermally broken architectural terrace doors were used on the building’s facade to provide impact resistance.

Both products were then sealed with an interior secondary access-panel window system to enhance thermal, sound, and privacy performance. As Scott Papp watched Hurricane Irma roll in from his hotel room at Hyatt House Naples, he recalled, “We could see the storm rag

ing, but it was very strange, we could barely hear it.” Acoustics can go a long way in enhancing occupant comfort and providing a feeling of safety and protection during severe weather conditions.

MORE WORK AHEAD The International Building Code is now the base code for all states and is updated every three years to refl ect new learning and knowledge. Likewise, the 6th Edition of the Florida Building Code became effective Dec. 31, 2017. Forensic research after an active hurricane season provides the best data on what past measures were successful and where more attention is needed. The 2017 hurricane season tested and proved that the industry’s efforts have been well worth it. However, there is still work that needs to be done.

Pre-2002 buildings did not hold up nearly as well during this past hurricane season and must also be retrofitted to withstand future storms and potential damage. Additionally, rising water from storm surge and short duration over-saturation are areas needing continued technological advancement. Whether it is due to global warming or simply because there is more building being

done in coastal areas, rising water is a more of an issue now than in years past.

Since Hurricane Andrew hit in the ‘90s, the building industry has come a long way in recognizing that codes must evolve to better protect buildings themselves, major sources of property loss, and, most important, building occupants. CA

Greg Galloway is ProTek brand manager for YKK AP America Inc., Austell, GA (ykkap.com). An ASQ Certified Quality Engineer, his background includes 28 years in residential and commercial fenestration. For the past 14 years, he has been active in the design, building, and marketing of hurricane impact- and blast-mitigation products.

Flooding, rain, wind, and debris were all factors when Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas State Aquarium in 2017. Photo: Texas State Aquarium

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