HTL, a sovereign architectural and fenestration testing lab, has announced the availability of testing services to test tornado enduring products. The recent tornado outbreaks all over the USA have resulted in loss of life and property. In the rebuilding process of houses, a number of producers all over the country are working for ways to provide building products with greater level of resistance against tornado onslaught.
According to Vinu J. Abraham, HTL’s P.E. and CEO, the test facilities of his company will assist manufacturers to introduce products with greater level of resistance against tornados. Though no product will ever be considered as perfect tornado-proof, determining the strength of the products used for construction will enable contingency planning especially for the materials utilized in the construction of emergency building or storm shelters to maintain total safety.
The introduction of performance testing will enable the building products producers to evaluate whether the quality of their products will endure extreme wind loads and debris impacts. The products will be tested in accordance with the voluntary specifications of AAMA 512-11, DOE-STD-1020-2002, ICC-500-2008, FEMA 361 and FEMA 320 as announced earlier. The products such as roofs, doors and windows will be subjected to cyclic water penetration rating, static and impact tests.
On completing the tests, the products that are subjected to tests will be rated for tornado prone areas to withstand wind speed or the level of protections.Such ratings will enable the emergency officials to measure and recommend shelter materials for the construction of buildings in tornado prone locations.
Source: http://www.htltest.com/