Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County

Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County

5th edition 2014 Florida Building Code (FBC) Section 1609 establishes wind resistance requirements for buildings and structures

FBC section 1609 changed in the

2010 (FBC) and remains in the current 2014 (FBC)

Earlier method: (Vasd nominal

design wind speed) Current method: (Vult ultimate

design wind speed)


FBC section 1609.3

requires local jurisdictions to establish exact locations of wind speed lines by ordinance using physical landmarks such as roads, rivers, canals and alike.

Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County The 2014 Florida Building Code (FBC) contains 3 different wind speed

maps. Each map is based on different risk categories. Risk categories are related to degree of hazard to human life

depending on a structures use or function. Category I Buildings – Agricultural Building, Temporary Facilities, Screen Enclosures and similar

structures. (Low level of hazard to human occupants) Category II Building – Single Family Homes, Office Buildings, Retail Stores and other similar

buildings or facilities. (Moderate level of hazard to human occupants) Category III Buildings – Public Assembly Buildings with 300 or more, Elementary Schools,

Nursing homes 50 or more, Correctional Facilities and other similar buildings or facilities. (High level of hazard to human occupants)

Category IV Buildings – Buildings and Structures designated as essential such as: Hospitals, Fire,

Ambulance and Police Stations, Structures for Power Generation and Potable Water operations. (High level of hazard to human occupants)


WIND-BORNE DEBRIS REGION.

Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County 1609.1.2 Protection of openings. In wind-borne debris regions, glazing in buildings shall be impact

resistant or protected with an impact-resistant covering meeting the requirements of an approved impact-resistant standard



Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County Category II & III Single Family Homes, Office Buildings, Retail Stores, Assembly Occupancies and other similar buildings. Excluding Healthcare facilities


Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County WIND-BORNE DEBRIS REGION

Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County Category III & VI






Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County Design Pressure differences


The Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale establishes 5 strength categories for hurricanes

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale wind speeds are not the same as wind speeds

for structural design in the Florida Building Code.

Wind Speed Maps for Escambia County

Documents