The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) and Mercedes Homes will unveil two hurricane-resistant prototype homes on June 9, 2005. The houses, at 1170 and 1176 Serengeti Way in Rockledge, Fla., were built as the result of collaboration by PATH, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the University of Florida, the Florida Energy Extension Service, and Mercedes Homes. These prototypes incorporate technologies and practices that can make houses safer in hurricane-prone regions.
Even before 2004's devastating hurricane season, PATH and its partners were working with Mercedes to develop a hurricane-resistant model home that incorporated proven wind-resistant features, such as concrete construction, tie-downs, steel reinforcement, secondary roof coverings, and window shutters.
Theory put to the test
However, in the wake of last year's storms, PATH discovered that wind damage is only part of the story. Even homes that met current codes emphasizing structural integrity were likely to suffer significant water damage due to breaches in the roof, walls, doors, and windows.
Therefore, PATH and Mercedes developed strategies to keep wind-driven moisture out of these prototype homes. Outward swinging front doors, design modifications to keep water out of eaves, and concrete coatings that prevent water absorption are just a few of the innovations that will be closely monitored by the University of Florida, which will conduct a case study on the houses and incorporate the data into its engineering coursework.
Additionally, PATH will work with Mercedes to conduct cost analysis on the new technologies and develop strategies to include the practices into future projects.
For more information about the prototype houses and other PATH demonstration sites, visit www.pathnet.org.
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