Building Protection: The Importance of Resilient, Durable Materials

As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, the importance of resilient and durable building materials has never been more critical.

“As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, buildings must adapt to protect lives, investments, and ecosystems. Resilience in the built environment is no longer an option; it is a necessity that demands action from finance and investors, as well as architects and engineers,” says the World Green Building Council.

Green Span Profiles, a leading manufacturer of insulated metal panels (IMPs), offers solutions that address both fire resistance and impact resistance, providing comprehensive protection for structures in all locales, even those in high-risk areas.

The Growing Threat of Extreme Weather

Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the frequency and severity of weather-related disasters.

In 2023 alone, the United States experienced a historic year of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters.

“The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) has released the final update to its 2023 Billion-dollar disaster report, confirming a historic year in the number of costly disasters and extremes throughout much of the country,” according to Climate.gov. “There were 28 weather and climate disasters in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 22 in 2020, tallying a price tag of at least $92.9 billion.”

2023 extreme weather highlights included:

• 1 winter storm/cold wave event (across the northeast U.S. in early-February).
• 1 wildfire event (firestorm destroying town of Lahaina on Maui Island of Hawaii).
• 1 drought and heat wave event (focused across the central and southern U.S.).
• 4 flooding events (in California, Florida, and across the eastern and northeastern U.S.).
• 2 tornado outbreaks (across the central and eastern U.S.).
• 2 tropical cyclones (Idalia in Florida and Typhoon Mawar in Guam).
• 17 severe weather/hail events (across many parts of the country).

And in 2024, through eight months, the U.S. is on pace to break the 28 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters with 20 already confirmed including 16 severe storm vents, 1 tropical cyclone event, 1 wildfire event, and 2 winter storm events.

This trend is expected to continue, making the choice of building materials more crucial than ever.

Advancements in Fire-Resistant Materials

Recent developments in fire-resistant building materials have significantly improved our ability to protect structures from wildfires and other fire hazards, especially with the advent of insulated metal panels.

Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs): Green Span Profiles' IMPs combine superior fire resistance with excellent thermal insulation properties. These panels feature a polyisocyanurate insulating foam core sandwiched between interior and exterior steel facings, providing a robust barrier against fire spread.

The fire-resistant properties of IMPs are particularly noteworthy:

• Non-combustible Facings: The steel facings on both sides of the panel do not contribute to fire spread.
  
  
• Insulating Core: The polyisocyanurate core has inherent fire-resistant properties.
  
  
• Minimal Joints: The interlocking panel system reduces potential weak points where fire could penetrate.
  
  

Enhanced Testing Standards: IMPs undergo rigorous fire resistance tests, ensuring they meet or exceed industry safety standards:

• ASTM E84: This "tunnel test" measures surface burning characteristics, resulting in a Flame Spread Index and Smoke Developed Index.
  
  
• NFPA-285: This test evaluates fire propagation characteristics of exterior non-load-bearing wall assemblies.
  
  
• FM 4880: This Factory Mutual test assesses the fire performance of insulating materials used on indoor walls and ceilings.
  
  

“Fire tests, like the ASTM E84, were developed in response to historic fires. Several tragic fires led to research on combustion and fire safety. One of them was the 1942 Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire. There are now standards in place to help achieve fire safety,” explained Industrial Paint and Protection Magazine.

Green Span Profiles' IMPs consistently perform exceptionally well in these tests, offering peace of mind to builders and property owners alike.

New Wildfire-Urban Interface (WUI) Codes

Many jurisdictions are adopting stricter building codes for areas prone to wildfires.

Wildfire-Urban Interface (WUI) Codes are a set of regulations and guidelines designed to minimize the risk of wildfires spreading from natural areas into populated urban areas. These codes often include specific requirements for building materials, landscaping, and property maintenance.

Key components of WUI Codes often include:

• Building Materials: Restrictions on flammable materials like wood shingles and siding.
  
  
• Spacing: Requirements for adequate spacing between buildings and vegetation to prevent fire spread.
  
  
• Landscaping: Guidelines for maintaining defensible spaces around homes, including removing flammable debris and planting fire-resistant plants.
  
  
• Emergency Access: Ensuring easy access for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles.
  
  
• Fire Sprinklers: In some areas, there are requirements for fire sprinklers in homes and buildings.
  
  

Green Span Profiles' IMPs meet these stringent requirements, offering an excellent solution for buildings in high-risk zones.

When the Wind Blows: Innovative Impact-Resistant Solutions

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events has led to stricter building codes, with a greater focus on multi-hazard approaches.

Green Span Profiles' IMPs provide not only fire resistance but also impact resistance, addressing multiple threats simultaneously:

• FM 4881 and FM 4771 Compliance: These standards set performance requirements for exterior wall and roof panels exposed to natural hazards like wind, hail, and windborne debris. Green Span Profiles' products meet these rigorous standards, ensuring they can withstand the most challenging weather conditions.
• RidgeLine Panels: Green Span Profiles' RidgeLine insulated standing-seam roof panels feature a patented tee-seam, providing excellent weather-tight protection and impact resistance. These panels are designed to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads, making them ideal for regions prone to hurricanes or severe winter storms.
• Impact Resistance Testing: Green Span Profiles subjects its panels to stringent impact resistance tests, including:
  • TAS-201: This Florida Building Code Impact Test is used for hurricane impact-resistant materials.
  • Large Missile Impact Testing: Simulates the impact of wind-borne debris during severe storms.

IMPS and Sustainability Considerations

Green Span Profiles is committed to sustainable construction practices, recognizing the growing importance of environmental considerations in building design:

• Energy Efficiency: The high insulation values of IMPs contribute to reduced energy consumption in buildings, lowering both costs and environmental impact. The continuous insulation provided by IMPs minimizes thermal bridging, resulting in superior energy performance compared to traditional insulation methods.
• Durability: The long-lasting nature of IMPs means less frequent replacements, reducing waste and resource consumption over time. This durability is particularly important in the context of increasing severe weather events, as it reduces the need for repairs and replacements after storms.
• Recyclability: At the end of their life cycle, the steel facings of IMPs are 100% recyclable, contributing to a circular economy in the construction industry.

Economic Impact and Insurance: IMP Advantage

Investing in Green Span Profiles' IMPs can lead to significant economic benefits:

• Insurance Premiums: Many insurance companies offer discounts for buildings constructed with fire-resistant and impact-resistant materials like IMPs. These discounts can result in substantial savings over the life of the building.
• Long-Term Cost Savings: While initially more expensive than traditional materials, IMPs result in lower maintenance costs and increased property values over time. The superior insulation properties also lead to significant energy savings, further reducing the total cost of ownership.
• Reduced Downtime: In the event of a severe weather event or fire, buildings constructed with IMPs are likely to suffer less damage and require less extensive repairs, minimizing business interruption and associated costs.

As we face an era of increasing extreme weather events, the choice of building materials plays a critical role in ensuring safety and resilience.

Green Span Profiles' insulated metal panels offer a comprehensive solution, providing superior fire resistance, impact resistance, and energy efficiency.

By choosing IMPs, architects, builders, and property owners can protect their investments, contribute to more resilient communities, and play a part in creating a more sustainable built environment.