27 April 2007

SARASOTA & MANATEE COUNTY EVACUATION SHELTERS

Click on this link for a listing of Sarasota and Manatee County Evacuation Shelters which includes pet friendly shelters. A special thanks to Longboat Key for this listing on their website! http://longboatkey.org/Departments/Fire/HurricaneSeason/sarasota_county_evacuation_shelt.htm

BE SAFE!



25 April 2007

We recommend RED BULL CONCRETE, INC.

THE HURRICANE POLICE, LLC partners with other businesses who provide quality workmanship and customer satisfaction at a fair price.
We are proud to announce our strong working relaitonship with RED BULL CONCRETE, INC. They do concrete finishing with an artistic flair. They will design and produce a concrete finish, in almost any combination of colors, to meet your exact wishes, specifications and needs. Their work, which can be done as interior or exterior, is excellent for:
~ ~ ~Walkways
~ ~ ~Driveways
~ ~ ~Pool decks
~ ~ ~ Lanais
A sample of their artistic floor refinishing may be seen at our showroom located at 2830 Manatee Ave. E, Suite 9001, Bradenton FL.
Call RED BULL CONCRETE, INC. at (941) 776-0171 for a free consultation and estimate.
BE SAFE!

23 April 2007

MANATEE AND SARASOTA COUNTY WEBSITES FOR THEIR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

The following link is for Manatee County Office of Emergency Management and is also listed on the links section to the right side of the blog http://www.co.manatee.fl.us/
The following link is for the Sarasota County Office of Emergency Management and is also listed on the the links section to the rights side of the blog.http://allhazards.scgov.net/Home.aspx
BE SAFE!

HURRICANE INFORMATION FOR PET OWNERS

The link below provides links to information of pet owners of steps to take before, during and after a hurricane to ensure the safety of your pets It also provides links to information on safety tips for pets other than cate and dogs http://www.broward.org/disaster/epi00202.htm
Although this is a Broward County Emergency Management Agency website the information is pertinent and valuable to all hurricane and storm prone areas in the State of Florida. As we discover local links with more local information we will post them here for your convenience.
BE SAFE!

Why the name THE HURRICANE POLICE. LLC???

First of all, the name is catchy but more so it represents us and our work ethics. Each of the members of THE HURRICANE POLICE, LLC has been a sworn peace officer in one capacity or another. To us, that means that we are honest in our dealings with others and "Our word is our bond".
Additionally, we all have strong work ethics that comes from successful law enforcement careers and in some cases military service. We show up on time, do a professional installation and are always available for consultation and advice after the sale and installation of our products.
Our initial evaluation of your needs covers Hurricane, Storm AND security needs. We aspire for you AND your property to be safe from hurricanes, storms and people who desire to reduce the safety or you and your property / possessions.
We are here to "Install and Protect" AND to "Arrest the Winds"

BE SAFE!

19 April 2007

WIND-BORNE DEBRIS REGIONS OF FLORIDA



























Background On Testing & Standards

Today, many products are available that have been tested for windborne debris impact and cyclic wind loading. Several test standards exist including: 1]ASTM E1996 Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Glazed Curtain Walls, Doors and Storm Shutters Impacted by Wind-borne Debris in Hurricanes (written by the American Society of Testing and Materials) 2] PA 201 Impact Test Procedures (written by Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance Office) 3] SSTD 12 TEST Standard for Determining Impact Resistance from Wind-borne Debris (written by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc.

Each of these test standards is based on similar testing with slight variations. The tests consist of two parts: impact testing and cyclic wind loading.

The impact test consists of shooting objects at a series of specimens. If the product is going to be installed above 30 feet, it has small objects fired at the product simulating roof ballast rock and other small debris that would be picked up and carried by the wind higher than 30 feet above the ground. If the product is going to be installed below 30 feet, it has a 2x4 fired at the product simulating larger objects that would be picked up and carried by the wind along and close to the ground, but too heavy to get high into the air.

Following the impact test, the series of impacted specimens are put through cyclic wind pressure loading, both positive and negative pressures. The cyclic wind pressure loading is intended to simulate wind pressures created by a hurricane from approach through departure.

The testing results in two designations: Impact Resistance — Yes or No

Design Pressure Rating — in pounds per square foot (both negative and positive) If a window product is not intended to pass the impact portion of the test, it will still be tested with cyclic wind pressure loading and be assigned a Design Pressure Rating (positive and negative pressures). Because it is not deemed to be impact resistant, it will still require the protection of a hurricane shutter or storm panel.

A common misconception is that a window or door product can be designated to withstand a specified wind speed. The products are given a design pressure rating not a “wind speed rating”. A Category 5 hurricane creates different pressures, both positive and negative, on different surfaces of a structure. So, depending on where the window or door is placed, it may experience higher or lower wind pressures under the same wind speed conditions. The higher the Design Pressure Rating a product receives, the higher the cyclic wind pressures to which it was tested.

Whether impact resistant windows and doors, shutter systems, or temporary storm panels are selected for hurricane protection, it is imperative to select products that have been tested according to a code-approved standard with tests that are independently verified. Installing untested products or products that have been tested without independent verification may result in a product that does not provide the needed protection.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7-98: ASCE 7-98 is the 1998 edition of the American Society of Civil Engineers Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. This is the national standard to which building codes refer when specifying design load requirements for: dead, live, soil, flood, wind, snow, rain, ice, and earthquake loads on buildings. The wind loading section of this standard is considered to contain the most up-to-date requirements available. ASCE 7-98 only contains methods to calculate loads on structures. An engineer or architect must take the wind pressures specified in the Standard, and apply them to the building being designed. These wind pressures will determine how the building must be constructed.
ASCE 7-98 has special requirements for buildings sited in areas called “wind-borne debris regions.” Wind-borne debris regions are defined as areas along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts where the design wind speed is 120 mph or above, or within one mile of the coastal mean high water line where the wind speed is 110 mph or above. In these regions, the standard requires the designer to assume that the windows will be broken by flying debris unless the windows are either impact-resistant or protected by impact protection (shutters or impact-resistant glass). When windows are considered to be broken, the wind pressures trying to lift off the roof are greatly increased, so construction has to be significantly strengthened.

ASCE 7-98 recognizes the option of designing for higher internal pressure as an alternative to designing with impact protection (shutters or impact-resistant glass). Blueprint for Safety recommends designing with impact protection because while designing for internal pressure may protect the overall structure, it will not prevent flying debris from breaking windows, causing building damage or allowing significant water and wind infiltration into the house. Blueprint recommends impact protection as the optimal way to protect lives and property.
Blueprint recommends that whenever structural components are built, added or modified, they should be designed using rational analysis based on wind loads calculated according to ASCE 7-98 using a basic wind speed defined by ASCE 7-98 but no less than 120 mph. The architectural details in the manual are engineered to 140 mph for illustration purposes, but will require modifications to meet the 150 mph requirements in certain coastal sections of Miami-Dade or Monroe County.

Construction Details: Construction details are provided in this guide for the purpose of improving the structural performance of residential homes. The prescriptive requirements contained in the details are based on the latest engineering knowledge reflected in the ASCE Standard 7-98, SBCCI Standard for Hurricane Resistant Residential Construction SSTD10-99 and the new unified Florida Building Code. The latest engineering knowledge contained in this guide is intended to provide a higher level of structural integrity within the limitations in building geometry, materials and wind climate specified within the minimum requirements of building codes.

It is recognized that a large number of alternatives are available to a designer or builder for providing wind resistance. The Blueprint guidelines are not intended to prevent the use of such alternative materials or methods, permitted in the statewide Florida Building Code. The methods presented in this guide provide wind-resistant designs and construction details for one- and two-story residential homes of conventional wood-framed and masonry construction typical in Florida.

The wind loads indicated in the details apply specifically to a building having a width of 30 feet and a length of 60 feet with story heights of 10 feet. The structure has gable end walls with a roof pitch of 4:12; having a slope of 18 degrees. In addition, the design parameters used in conjunction with ASCE 7-98 for residential design are: Design wind speed of 140 mph.

Exposure B — for urban and suburban areas, wooded areas, or other terrain with numerous closely spaced obstructions having the size of single-family dwellings or larger. The unified Florida Building Code specifies the use of Exposure B for all residential construction except seaward of the coastal construction line.

Building is rectangular and regular in shape.
Building is enclosed.
Building is a low-rise building.
Building has simple diaphragms that transmit wind loads through floor and roof diaphragms to the vertical main wind force resisting system.

Visit http://www.blueprintforsafety.org for additional information. BE SAFE!

CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

In a major disaster, emergency workers may not be able to reach everyone right away, and in some cases it may take 3 or more days for help to arrive. What would you do if you had no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service?
Having a plan for your family and their needs will help ensure their safety and comfort during these difficult times. When you click on the link provided below you will be asked to provide information about your home, family, and pets. Using the information you provide, this website will create a personalized Family Disaster Plan that you can print out and save for future emergencies. Included in your plan will be:

  1. Recommended amounts of food and water based on your family information.

  2. Contact information for your local emergency responders and maps of your local Evacuation Zones

  3. Checklists of important steps to take before, during, and after a disaster!

Remember, the best way to make your family and home safer is to be prepared before a disaster happens.

Use the following link to complete YOUR Family Disaster Plan http://floridadisaster.org/family/

BE SAFE!

SUMMARY OF JORDAN'S ALUMINUM HURRICANE PROTECTION PRODUCTS WE INSTALL


STORM PANELS

Aluminum storm panels are the least expensive way to protect your property from hurricane force winds. We have three types of storm panels systems:.060 Aluminum, .050 Aluminum, and 20 gauge steel. These storm panels are approved by Dade County .

ACCORDION HURRICANE SHUTTERS

Accordion Shutters are designed to cover almost any type of opening and are ideal for larger openings such as sliding doors and across balconies. These shutters are excellent for store fronts and offer the toughest means of security for your home and business.
Accordion shutters offer an affordable, durable means of protection against storms and intruders. These shutters are equipped with a T-Handle lock on our standard shutter and a push button lock on our new High Velocity Accordion Shutter. Permanently fastened to your home or business, the accordion shutters are easily operated by one person from inside or outside

Our 950 series accordion shutters meet and exceed the impact and wind load requirements set by Dade County Florida. This ASSA Bertha accordion shutter comes with a 5-point locking system and it can also have a security key lock or thumb screw lock. The key locking style is our most common style. These shutters can easily lock from the outside or the inside. Standard Colors: White, Ivory, Beige, Bronze

New Product

Our 1050 series new High Velocity accordion shutter is the newest addition to our product line. The High Velocity accordion shutter has a unique design. This shutter is All Florida Code Approved and is approved by IBC - International Building Code. This shutter exceeds the toughest impact and wind loads requirements. It comes standard with a push button key lock for outside locking and a turn knob button for inside locking. With its new design, the High Velocity accordion shutter has a very sleek look, and with all the components that come with it, this is the best accordion shutter on the market today. Standard Colors: White, Ivory, Beige, Bronze
ROLLING SHUTTERS

Rolling Shutters are the most convenient and easiest system to operate. Rolling shutters are customized to fit any application providing extraordinary strength and stability for hurricane and security protection. Especially in coastal areas, these products are becoming more and more popular due to their ability to withstand hurricane force winds and flying debris. They can be operated manually or motorized and can also have an emergency manual override.
Rolling shutters will reduce air conditioning and heat costs, lower noise by up to 70 percent, and protect furniture exposed to direct sunlight.

There are several types of rolling shutters which are designed for your specific needs. Hurricane approved, interior counters, product safe cases, garage door type applications, and security storefronts.

1200 Series Rolling Shutter - The Newest Shutter On The Market Today

Advantages:
55mm Slats Curved allows us to use smaller housings (box).
Tracks are equipped with double felt grooves for future felt replacement.
Storm Bars special design is stronger than others twice the size.
The Storm Bars also are equipped with felt to protect the slats.
Top Header unique design allows for cleaner and more uniform finish.
All Aluminum Extrusions come in standard colors: white, ivory, beige, and bronze.

BAHAMA SHUTTERS

Bahama shutters are an attractive alternative for hurricane protection. There are three types of bahamas:

  1. very strong extruded aluminum heavy shutter approved by Dade County.
  2. extruded aluminum shutter not as heavy as the first one but a very nice product.
  3. light weight bahama shutter made out of roll formed aluminum.
BE SAFE!

17 April 2007

Welcome to the THE HURRICANE POLICE, LLC blog


Welcome to the THE HURRICANE POLICE, LLC blog.

The purpose of this blog is to provide information to our customers and the general public regarding "Hurricane, Storm & Home Security Protection" as well as current and topical information regarding existing weather conditions in hurricane season. We sell and install hurricane and home security products to protect you and your property, home or business, during hurricanes and other disasters. More information of our product lines and services will be covered under additional posts to the blog.

BE SAFE!