The devastation from hurricanes is, many times, life altering. There is a litany of chores to get things back to normal. For FBO’s, hangar owners, aircraft owners and pilots, there tends to be more to add to your list. Especially if you have had a hangar door come down, or you have lost other portions of your hangar door or even the entire hangar.
How Hurricanes Affect Hangar Doors
Here are a couple of things we should point out. Typically, if the envelope of the hangar is compromised from, say, a skylight, a wall vent or even a hangar door, the chances of failure are much greater from the suction effect from the wind.
The suction effect happens due to pressure that the wind force exhibits as it retreats from the structure after it impacts said structure. Think of it like how a wave on the ocean has undertow as the water retreats back to the sea. Wind has to go somewhere, and can stay static. Thus, it retreats, creating the suction. This is typically shown in design code and referenced with PSI number like 34+/42- indicating the negative pressure or suction is greater.
Engineers model the structure’s wind pressure to determine the structural integrity of the hangar building and doors. But what they produce is only a model. It does not take into account what is actually happening in real time with microburst, tornadic activity, surrounding structures that may cause vortex etc. Every effort is made to thwart the effects of a devastating weather event. But it can, and does, happen.
So now that you have lost your door and/or you have damage to your structure, what’s next?
Steps to Take After a Hurricane
- The first thing you need to do is mitigate the damage and possibility of future damage.We say this because we all know insurance companies are in business to make money, and paying claims doesn’t make them overjoyed. So make your efforts to keep the loss at a minimum.
- Take photos of the damage prior to your clean up efforts.
- If the structure or door isn’t safe, or if you don’t know, then get a professional to do the work.There is nothing wrong with getting outside opinions. Accidents happen from this type of activity because the structure and doors may be in precarious positions.
Once you have a secured situation, it is time to make plans for getting your house back in order, so to speak. Consult with a certified contractor or hangar door installer to help get things back to normal.
Looking for Parts?
WELL BILT Industries has parts for your hangar doors, and can recommend companies that can help with your specific situation. When in doubt, give us a call. We will help walk you though steps needed to get you going again and help prevent future catastrophic situations.
