Storm & Security

Tubelite Adds New Storefront Series to Hurricane Resistant Line Tubelite Inc., Walker, MI, has introduced a new storefront system as part of its ForceFront™ Storm products, engi- neered for hurricane resistance on low- to mid-rise commer- cial buildings. The 34000 Series has been tested to Florida Building Code TAS 201, 202 and 203 standards and are compliant with ASTM E 1886/1996 Wind Zone 4 impact/cyclic criteria, the company states. ForceFront medium stile entrance doors also were tested with 34000 Series storefront to provide a complete impact-resistant system, it adds. Along with hurricane impact resistance and thermal performance, ForceFront medium stile entrance doors are designed for compliance with large and small missile impact, and for forced entry testing to meet AAMA 1304-02. The door stiles have a four-inch profile width and a depth of 1 3/4-inch. The aluminum used to produce all of Tubelite's ForceFront systems can be extruded using EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition with eco-friendly, durable finishes, the company states. Generac Synergy Now Available for Sale Generac Power Systems, Waukesha, WI, announced in October that its Generac Synergy™ home standby generator with G-Flex™ technology now is available for sale through its dealer network. The variable speed generator was unveiled at the 2014 International Builders' Show in February. G-Flex technology allows the engine on the Generac Syn- ergy to run only as fast as necessary to meet a home's electric load demand during a power outage. The Generac Synergy matches generator output to actual power needs with the end result being a quieter, more fuel-efficient generator with clean power output, the company states. The Generac Synergy also comes standard with Mobile Link™ cellular monitoring so owners can view their gener- ator's status and maintenance needs, set the unit's exercise schedule, review it's running and maintenance history, and receive push notifications to indicate status changes. They even can send notifications to their local dealer. IN/BOX continued 12 STORM & SECURITY PROTECTION / FORECAST 2013 the total seasonal probability of landfall can be forecast with statistical skill. With landfall a function of varying climate conditions, the probability of landfall can be developed through statistical analyses of all U.S. hurricane and named storm landfall events during the 20th century (1900 to 1999). Long-term statistics show that, on average, the more active the overall Atlantic basin hurricane season is, the greater the probability of U.S. hurricane landfall, CSU states. "We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean," writes Klotzbach. Here are CSUʼs probabilities of a 2013 U.S. landfall (figures in parenthesis represent averages for the last century): • Entire U.S. coastline: 72 percent (52 percent) • U.S. East Coast including Florida peninsula: 48 percent (31 percent) • Gulf Coast from Florida peninsula to Brownsville, TX: 47 percent (30 percent) The CSU team adds there is a 61 percent probability for at least one major hurricane tracking into the Caribbean. The average for the last century is 42 percent. AccuWeather.com reports the East Coast to the Gulf of Mexico is at most risk for landfall this season. The Weather Research Center (WRC), Houston, TX, believes there is "a high chance" that three or more tropical storms or hurricanes will make landfall somewhere along the U.S. coast. According to WRC meteorologist Jill Hasling, the Gulf Coast has a 70 percent chance of experiencing the landfall of a tropical storm or hurricane this year. The coast from Georgia to North Carolina has the second highest risk with a 60 percent chance. WRC uses a model called Orbital Cyclone Strike Index (OCSI), which uses the solar cycle (an indication of the solar systemʼs orbit) to predict the risk for coastal residents each hur- ricane season. The OCSI model is based on the premise that there are orbital influences reflected in the global circulation pattern on the sun as well as the global circulation pattern on Earth. WRC also foresees a high probability for a long hurricane season this year. While indications were low (22 percent) of a cyclone developing as early as May this year, there is a higher probability (55 percent) of a tropical cyclone as late as November. SEASONAL /FORECAST continued

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