A prefab metal carport has become popular among home and farm owners due to its ease of installation, cost-effectiveness, and low-maintenance material. It not only protects vehicles, equipment, and other valuables but also serves as a multi-functional building. However, strong winds can still pose a significant threat to the structural integrity of a steel carport building, leading to damage and costly repairs.
Common weather conditions like high-speed winds, storms, and tornadoes can put immense pressure on prefab carports, so precautions must be maintained to avoid any damage. Let’s see how one can add stability to a metal building to ensure its durability and save valuable assets against the force of nature.
Understanding The Risks Of Strong Winds
What Makes Carports Vulnerable To Wind? Generally, a prefab metal carport is lightweight in design and has a large surface area that makes it susceptible to speedy winds. The open structure can put stress on the frame, leading to fly away or collapse.
Types Of Wind Damage: A strong gust of wind can damage the following in a carport:
- Roof Damage- Wind can lift and peel away metal roofing panels, leading to structural damage.
- Bending- Under high wind pressure, metal frames can bend, causing structural failure.
- Collapse- In extreme cases, the entire carport can collapse due to the force of the wind.
Regional Wind Risks: There are certain areas that are prone to speedy winds, such as tornado alley, coastal areas, and open farmlands. In these areas, carports generally don’t have a buffer to protect them from upcoming air currents or draft buildup.
Understand Your Local Weather Pattern: Your local weather pattern is another thing you must pay attention to. You can take preventive measures like regular monitoring, learn about weather forecasts, and be aware of seasonal wind patterns when choosing a site and carport design to ensure maximum stability.
Securing The Foundation Of The Metal Parking Carport
Anchor Bolts: Proper anchoring is the key to the stability of any metal building and the safety of your belongings. You can consider concrete anchors to secure your carport to a concrete base as they provide a strong and durable hold.
Tip: Ensure the concrete slab is fully cured with anchors embedded to the recommended depth (at least 7 inches as per ACI standards) for maximum stability.
If you have a steel carport installed in a soil or gravel bed, ground anchors with tension straps are most suitable. Wondering what anchors are best for windy areas? You can choose a helical auger anchor, barbed anchor, concrete anchor, or rebar anchor, depending on local soil conditions.
Concrete Footings: These provide a solid foundation and distribute the metal structure’s weight evenly. For best results, ensure that footings are below the frost lines and anchor bolts are embedded into the wet concrete in the correct position. For non-frost areas, ACI (American Concrete Institute) suggests a minimum footing depth of 12 inches.
Ensure to use high-quality concrete when pouring the base and let it cure completely before attaching the steel frames of the carport.
Proper Installation: Clean the installation area and level the ground to ensure good drainage. Use quality materials, especially anchors, bolts, and other components that secure the frame. It is best to buy your metal carport from a reputed metal builder with industry experience. Don’t forget to check the certification and warranties on your metal parking carport.
Reinforcement Around The Carport
Bracing: Braces secure parts of the frame and increase the structural strength and load bearing of the roof. You can choose adequate horizontal and diagonal braces for additional support and to reduce movements on windy days. According to a study by Wind Science & Eng. Research Center at Texas Tech University, proper bracing can withstand wind speeds of up to 130 mph.
Reinforcing Joints: Since steel prefab carports are made in a factory in parts and assembled on-site, it is crucial to reinforce joints where carport frames meet. You can opt for additional brackets, plates, etc., to reinforce at critical points, which will increase the overall stability of the structure by 25%, according to ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers).
Heavy-Duty Materials: Choose 12-gauge steel frames as they are heavy-duty materials with resistance to stress and wear over time. As per MBMA (Metal Building Manufacturer Association), a heavy-duty material can increase your carport’s lifespan by 15 to 20 years.
Regular Maintenance & Inspection For Carport’s Longevity
Inspect For Damage: Though metal structures are resilient to weather and seasons, it is still recommended to regularly monitor the carport and check for any signs of damage, minor rusting over the roof, cracks, or bends. If you notice any, address them promptly to avoid expense repairs in the future.
Did you know that early detection and repair can prevent 80% of the potential structural failures? (As per International Code Council)
Tighten Bolts & Screws: With time, screws, nuts, and bolts may start to loosen. This may happen due to vibrations, weather conditions, and outdoor elements. Thus, a regular check for all fasteners will ensure structural integrity. The ICC recommends checking for fasteners every 6 months.
Rust Prevention: Opt for galvanized steel or apply a rust-resistant coating over the metal panels to prevent corrosion and extend the life of the carport. Galvanizing can protect steel structures from rust for up to 75 years, as per AGA (American Galvanizers Association).
Additional Precautions You Must Take To Secure A Carport Building
Windbreaks: A report from NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service) shows that windbreaks can reduce wind speeds by up to 50%. You can plant trees, install fences, or install a carport near a large building (such as your home or farm barn) to create a buffer that reduces the impact of strong winds.
Temporary Measures: During extreme weather events or warnings, you can add extra weights and additional straps to secure the carport. You can use sandbags (35 to 50 pounds), concrete blocks (30 to 35 pounds), or water barrels (460 pounds) to add extra weight to the structure.
To prevent movement during strong winds, you can use tension straps (min. breaking strength of 1500 pounds) to avoid shifting and lifting. If there are large buildings nearby, you can also use bungee cords and ratchet straps.
Remove Loose Objects: Make sure there are no loose objects around the carport that can become airborne with the strong wind currents and hit your carport structure. These loose items can be tools, equipment, and debris. BY removing loose objects, you can reduce the chances of damage by 60%, as per IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety).
Secure Your Carport Now & Protect Your Investment From Strong Winds
With these useful steps, one can easily protect their metal prefab carport from strong winds and protect valuable assets underneath it. Anchoring, proper foundation, and correct carport design selection can make a difference. So, how do you protect your metal structure from becoming airborne? Share your story with us!
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