Using Building Science to Battle Weather-Related Disasters

How the Institute for Business & Home Safety's creation of a new world-class laboratory will greatly advance societal understanding of the impact of natural hazards, including hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, wildfires, and thunderstorms on the built environment will be discussed. Unique in all the world, the IBHS lab will be able to engulf entire full-scale, 1-story and 2-story buildings in a realistic, complex, and turbulent wind field at speeds up to 140 mph – and eventually up to 175 mph; IBHS also will be able to add debris and variable droplet-sized water as needed for individual test programs; simulate wind-blown ember attacks and hail impacts on roof surfaces and siding within the proper context of complex winds associated with these events in the real world; and, will capture relevant visually compelling aspects of tests with broadcast-quality cameras for scientific evaluation, as well as utilization by media, consumers, and public policymakers.