Protecting Commercial Property During Storms

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Cleaning and restoring commercial properties require a unique blend of training, experience, and equipment.

While there is not much you can do to prevent total destruction from the strongest hurricanes, there are some ways you can strengthen your commercial property against the weaker ones.

Fortified Doors

Metal doors that can pass particular impact testing earn a seal of approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Though intended to be used in safe rooms or shelters, they would also fortify businesses in hurricane-prone areas.

Fortified Windows

A  window shutter system has a four-sided window frame with a 16-gauge steel door that sits on the outside of the window. A cheaper way to fortify windows is to snap special serrated-edged clips onto the edges of plywood you want to cover windows with.

Fortified Garage Door

Garages are where the wind enters business and blows off their roofs. A highly rated windowless narrow garage door is the safest. They can be reinforced with Florida Building Code-approved vertical bracing that is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and anchors into both the wall that is over the door and on the floor.

Fortified Roof

You can reinforce a roof with galvanized-steel hurricane clips that range from 300 to 1,500 pounds. They strengthen the connection between the trusses or rafters and the top plate.

Concrete Wall Blocks

Insulating concrete forms (ICF) are interlocking blocks that are made of expanded polystyrene foam. They are held into place by connectors, reinforced with rebar framework within the spaces, and filled with concrete. They fire-resistant, insulated, and airtight.

Concrete Cloth

This is a cement-impregnated fabric that inflates and hardens into concrete after it is made wet. The military makes shelters with it. It is also used to shield buildings, stop bullets, protect slopes, create walls in mines, and to line ditches. 

Safe Space

Although an underground shelter is the safest place to be unless it floods, a professionally installed above-ground safe room can protect a family.

After the hurricane is over call SERVPRO of Waycross / Hinesville / Douglas (912) 285-0724 if you have storm damage to your business.

SERVPRO of Waycross, Hinesville & Douglas has the resources and expertise to give you excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients. We can help make it “Like it never even happened.”