The National Roofing Contractors Association recently made significant updates to its Roof Wind Designer.
The online wind-load calculator is intended to offer roofing professionals an easy way to determine roof systems' design wind loads for many common building types that are subject to code compliance. The free web-based application has been updated to include changes made to ASCE 7, “Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures.”
There were changes to basic wind maps, new roof zone layouts, and to pressure coefficients. Roof Wind Designer also added the ability to perform wind-load calculations for the 2016 version of ASCE 7, and enables users to choose between three versions of the standard: ASCE 7-05, ASCE 7-10, and ASCE 7-16.
The 2016 version of the application also can be used on flat buildings up to 160 feet tall using the standard's Chapter 30, Part 4: Buildings with 60ft < h ≤ 160ft (Simplified). For more information, visit www.roofwinddesigner.com.
Related Stories
| Jan 30, 2012
ZigBee and ISO 50001: Two new standards to make buildings greener
These developments demonstrate the dynamic nature of the market and the continued need for development of program standards of many different types that help builders and owners translate high performance and sustainable buildings goals into practical measures on the ground.
| Jan 30, 2012
New firm-fixed-price rules on federal contracts impact construction industry
Contractors will need to be on the lookout for policies such as the Contractor Accountability for Quality clause.
| Jan 30, 2012
Roofer’s fatal plunge demonstrates need for fall-prevention regulations
“The biggest problem is getting our workers to use the equipment,” says Michael J. Florio, executive director of the organization.
| Jan 26, 2012
Tampa moves to streamlined online permitting system
The system will replace an inefficient patchwork of old software and is designed to provide businesses, homeowners, and contractors with online access to permitting and licensing information.
| Jan 26, 2012
EPA to collect more data, seek comments before finalizing mud rule
The EPA says it will seek more data and is accepting comments until March 5.
| Jan 26, 2012
Industry challenges Connecticut's suit over defective construction work
The dispute arose over multimillion-dollar leaks at the University of Connecticut's law library.
| Jan 26, 2012
Earthquake 'fuse' could save buildings during temblors
The idea is to use an earthquake "fuse" that can prevent the tiny fractures and warps that make structures unsafe after a quake and very expensive to repair.
| Jan 26, 2012
HPD open materials standard for green building materials gains momentum
GreenWizard, provider of a cloud-based product management and project collaboration software, is the latest industry participant to sign on
