Storm & Security

IN/BOX Sandy Still Changing Building Codes • $178,772—Developing a visualization tool for assessing storm surge and inundation threats across the U.S. Awarded to the University of North Carolina. • $152,257—Improving confidence in hurricane intensity forecasts through computer programs and the NOAA National Hurricane Center's primary intensity models and developing a consensus forecast from them. Awarded to the University of Miami, the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University, and NOAA's Satellite and Information Service. • $141,903—Developing a computer program to predict the onset of tropical cyclone rapid intensification using satellite data. Awarded to Florida International University. • $86,000—Updating and improving a computer program that estimates the probability that any location within a hurricane will experience 40, 60 or 75 mph winds, as well as the arrival and departure times of those winds, out to seven days in advance. Awarded to the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at the University of Colorado Boulder and NOAA's Satellite and Information Service. A year after Superstorm Sandy slammed the Mid-Atlantic and New England, its effects continue in the area in the assessment and development of state building codes. In November, the City Council of New York City, NY, approved new building requirements recommended by a task force convened following Hurricane Sandy and aimed, partly, at getting buildings up and running quickly following a storm. The changes, according to the November 14 edition of The New York Times, include: • requiring new and existing hospitals and nursing homes in flood zones to install quick-connect hookups for temporary generators and boilers • allowing temporary flood barriers on sidewalks • making it easier to install backup generators that run on natural gas Most of the new laws apply immediately to new residential construction, while existing buildings have eight years or more to comply, according to The Times. The task force proposing the building code changes includes more than 200 building experts, property owners and city officials, The Times reports. NOAA, Universities Partner in $1.3 Million Hurricane Testbed Proposals The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has funded seven multi-year proposals totaling $1.3 million to aid in the transfer of new technology, research results and observational advances to hurricane forecasting. The funding, by NOAA's Office of Weather and Air Quality, goes to projects by university partners and federal scientists through its Joint Hurricane Testbed (JHT). "NOAA's Joint Hurricane Testbed research provides an opportunity for researchers and forecasters to interact and produce results that can be transitioned into operations," says John Cortinas, director, Office of Weather and Air Quality. Projects funded in 2013 include: • $327,000—Improving NOAA and U.S. Navy hurricane models. Awarded to the University of Rhode Island and NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. • $221,300—Testing a new algorithm to better identify a storm's center using an automated satellite image center-fixing program to help objectively and quickly identify the location of tropical storms. Awarded to the University of Wisconsin and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. • $197,792—Examining if integrating five new global models could improve forecasts of tropical cyclone formation in a way that produces a skillful forecast. Awarded to Florida State University. 6 ICC Rolls Out Remote Voting On November 15, the International Code Council (ICC) began offering an online, cloud-based system for its code development process (CDP). Known as cdpACCESS, the system allows ICC members to create code change proposals and submit them online. Additional features, which will become available in stages in following weeks, will include submitting floor modifications at committee action hearings; voting online on assembly floor motions; viewing, downloading and printing reports of committee action hearings; and creating and submitting public comments to the results of committee action hearings. ICC says cdpACCESS is designed for use on Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome. A series of webinars and how-to videos for using cdp.ACCESS is available at www. iccsafe.org/cdpACCESS. Door Installation Standard Published for Extreme Wind, Water Exposure The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published a standard practice for the installation of exterior doors for extreme wind and water exposure. The guide addresses installations in residential and light commercial buildings subject to extreme wind and water climate exposure, particularly in the coastal southeastern United States. "The preventive measures outlined in FMA/AAMA/ WDMA 400 are validated through actual laboratory testing STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / IBS PREVIEW 2014

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