FAST FACTS

2025

Storm Shelters

FEBRUARY 2025

As part of ICC 500 storm shelter requirements, storm shelter roofs can be bare metal deck.  Concrete topping is not required for missile impact resistance, as long as deck gauge, purlin spacing, and sidelap armoring is provided and the diaphragm shear and uplift capacities are sufficient.

 

Brick Veneer and Multi-story Wood Buildings

MARCH 2025

Regarding brick veneer in multi-story wood buildings, brick expands vertically over time due to moisture absorption.  Wood also shrinks over time due to moisture loss.

 

Building Carbon Footprint

APRIL 2025

To date, 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions comes from buildings. 11% of carbon emissions come from materials and construction. By 2050, it is estimated that half of the entire carbon footprint of new construction will be a result of “upfront carbon” before the building is  in use, if operational carbon reduction efforts. Work with your structural engineer to select less impactful materials to work towards net zero embodied carbon structural systems by 2050. Source: World Green Building Council