Wind Mitigation: Gable end bracing and wall types
Questions six and seven of the Wind Mitigation Form are about Gable End Bracing and Wall Construction Types. Gable end bracing is installed to prevent the gable from separating from the top of the wall upon which it sits. If the gable end separates from the wall significant damage will occur to the home. This was a reason that Hurricane Andrew was so devastating.
6. Gable End Bracing: For roof structures that contain gables, please check the weakest that apply:
A. Gable End(s) are braced at a minimum in accordance with the 2001 Florida Building Code.
B. Does not meet the above minimum requirements.
C. Not applicable, unknown or unidentified.
Wall construction type is asking what is the wall made of and to what percentage. A metal detector is used to determine if the wall is reinforced(with metal). Stucco on a wall may be deceiving, stucco can be placed over wood frame. Brick walls are sometimes difficult to examine. Usually brick walls are over a wood frame but on occasion it could be two wythe un-reinforced or reinforced.
7. Wall Construction Type: Check all wall construction types for exterior walls of the structure and percentages for each:
A. Wood Frame _________%
B. Un-Reinforced Masonry _________%
C. Reinforced Masonry _________%
D. Poured Concrete _________%
E. Other: __________________ _________%
