Florida Hurricane Mitigation: Fill & Download for Free

Unless one has access to the technical specifications of the Tesla roof, it is impossible to know how it would fare. In any case, the only way to know is to undergo simulated tests of impact (to surface, to control/wiring systems and to underlying structure), wind resistance and prolonged exposure to coastal, salty air and moist heat. Sometimes, it is the totality of the house structure and not just the roof itself that determines how a dwelling resists a hurricane.Resistance to being blow offRoof design. For solar panels, the ideal angle of inclination in Florida varies from a few degrees (at summer solistice) to about 45 degrees (winter solistice); however, for hurricane mitigation, a fixed near horizonal inclination is better; an average 22 degree fixed inclination would be acceptable.Roofs with no gables or dormers (hip roofs) are least prone to horizontal wind stressRoofs with small soffits/overhangs are less prone to wind stress.Roofs with small inclines are also prone to less wind stress.Roof to wall attachment. Miami-Dade Country building code is currently the strictest in the State (and nation, if not, world), requiring secondary metal clamps attaching roof framework to vertical support members of walls.Overall wind-resistance capacity of dwelling. Buildings with wind-mitigation shutters, doors and windows also are less likely to allow wind to intrude into a dwelling and blow off the roof. Once wind can enter a house through a broken door or windows, the upward and outward stresses causes roof failure and blow out that’s often easier than blowing in a roof.Resistance to withstand intense UV and rainChoice of metals in exposed structures. Ideally, all exposed metal fixtures should be stainless steel; the tropical weather and salt air destroys most metals in a few years; you don’t want the integrity of roof platforms to rely on metals that corrode in under 10 years.Exposed, rubber and plastic used must be treated to be unaffected by UV, and/or require regular cleaning and coating. Otherwise, rubber would disintegrate under the effect of sunlight and run the risk of electrical short circuits.Resistance to FUNCTIONAL (as opposed to cosmetic) damage by projectiles; the usual test for window reinforcement is a single 2x4 plank of wood projected at X mph directly at a surface.If the Tesla panels are constructed like windscreens, there would be a middle plastic layer sandwiched between tempered glass panels. Even one small impact would thus fragment the entire surface that a) must be retained by the panel so as not to give rise to projectiles and b) must be replaced due to poorer light transmission; replacement facility may compromise waterproof ability.The wiring systems must not only be waterproof but resistant to falling branches and sharp debris with automated shutoff in the even of exposed wiring. Even in overcast days, enough UV light filters through and continues to allow solar panel to generate a voltage.System Design for “Off the Grid” functionality if no mains electricity for several weeks.A major storm can disconnect a dwelling from the electrical grid for weeks. If the solar system produces more electricity than consumed, the shut off system must be robust enough to deal with it.Ideally, a long lasting battery system that can store at least a full day’s solar production would be most suitable to a hurricane prone zone; however, such systems would be as costly as an “off the grid” system”.Perhaps, a “plug in” hybrid car could be added as an integral part of such a system; it would minimize the hours of waiting at the pumps for gas.

November in Arizona is just about perfect- just sayin’.Temps range from the 50’s on mountaintops to the 80s in the lower elevations with plenty of sunshine and that dry heat you hear about. The sun sits in the south, so shadows are long and shaded lavender, and what trees live here naturally are in full fall color- absolutely stunning. Getting out and about is pleasant and interesting.On the other hand, Florida has beaches- water- and all that entails. Also hurricanes, but traveler’s insurance should help mitigate that risk.You have to choose: If you want beaches and ocean, go to Florida; if you want to explore Arizona, you can’t pick a better time of year.

There are and have been since hurricane Andrew in 1992. But many structures predate that event. Also, building standards do not guarantee a structure will not suffer ANY damage in a hurricane, particularly a strong Category 5 like Irma. They are intended to mitigate risk and catastrophic damage, thereby improving chances of survival for both building and occupants.