High winds are the predominant natural hazard in the coastal environment that can cause damage to the building envelope. How can you mitigate the vulnerability of the building envelope to high winds and other natural hazards including wind-driven rain, salt-laden air, seismic events, hail, and wildfire? This course developed by Mr. Don Parnell, PE provides guidance on the design of building envelopes in a coastal environment. It also discusses the composition of building envelopes, which is comprised of exterior doors, windows, skylights, exterior wall coverings, soffits, roof systems, attic vents. In buildings elevated on open foundations, the floor is also considered as a part of the envelope. This course will also describe the impacts of natural disasters to building envelopes and how you can best mitigate them.

Learning Objectives

• Floors in Elevated Buildings
• Loads and Resistance for Exterior Doors, Siding, Walls
• High Wind, Seismic, Rain, Sun, and Hail Criteria
• Non-Load Bearing Walls, Wall Coverings, Soffits
• Exterior Insulating Finishing System
• Concrete, CMU and Breakaway walls
• Flashings: Door, Window, Roof to Wall, Deck to Wall
• Proper installation of Roofing Systems
• Use of Shingles,Tiles, Metal, Slate, Wood Shake, Underlayments
• Low-Slope Roof Systems
• Attic Vents
• Additional Environmental Considerations