When extreme weather strikes, you want to make sure you and your property are as safe as possible to withstand any storm. When planning a new building project, you should keep in mind what weather conditions your structure will have to face and how to prepare for protecting your investment. Metal buildings are safe, strong, reliable structures that you can count to last for decades. But are metal buildings safe in a tornado?
What Makes Building With Metal A Good Choice?
There are many benefits to metal buildings over other traditional building materials in terms of safety and security. Essential qualities like flexibility, durability, and longevity are not only available in building with steel, but they actually surpass other materials in these areas. When harsh winds blow or humidity causes expansion and contraction of porous materials, it can cause trouble with the stability of a building. But with metal, you don’t have to worry about those inevitable issues. Steel is also fire, wind and moisture resistant and requires less maintenance over its decades of use. And when you build with metal, wear and tear are less of a concern because it is a tough natural resource that makes a great building component.
Metal Buildings Stand Up To Inclement Weather
In addition to the basic benefits of metal buildings, there are additional reasons to build with metal in areas affected by frequent heavy storms. Specifically, metal buildings are popular in tornado-prone areas for their ability to withstand the dangers of these powerful weather events. Tornadoes can involve winds of over 150 mph, torrential rain, damaging hail, and the threat of debris of all sizes. Steel buildings are resilient in these conditions and can provide shelter for your belongings in even the worst storms. Whether you are protecting livestock, crops or equipment, when compared to traditional wood-frame buildings, metal buildings are much more reliable in standing up to the pressures of extreme weather. Building with steel is the new standard for safe, effective construction and are somewhat weather-proof! Of course, no building or building material is one-hundred-percent resistant or safe from Mother Nature. But you’ll have the strongest structure possible.
Tips To Stay Safe In The Event Of A Tornado
If you work or live in a metal building and a warning goes out that tornadic activity is forecasted in your location, there are steps you can take to make sure you and others are protected against the impending storm. Basic steps like staying informed by monitoring local weather for updates on the situation. If a tornado strikes, remember not to panic. Gather in your storm shelter, safe room or inner room, and stay away from doors and windows. Stay inside and wait out the storm where you can stay safer, dry, and shielded from flying debris.
It is always good to inform yourself and be prepared for any potential disasters, and there are free resources on tornado safety that you can take advantage of for your own safety. Read about how to stay safe before, during, and after tornadoes. For tips on the basics of medical care in case of injury during a tornado or other storm, check out the Red Cross’s guidance.
At Lucas we have the experience and expertise to help you make any building project a success with a sound steel framework. If you have questions about the specifics of metal buildings in extreme situations, our experts have decades of insights and experience that we are happy to share with you as you make the decision to build with steel.
No matter where you live and work, a metal building is a safe and cost-effective choice for your project. Especially in tornado-prone areas, you can count on a strong steel structure to stand up to heavy storms with more protection than other building materials. If you are ready to start your project, call us today at 866.689.8904 or contact us. We are ready to start building with you!
FAQs
Metal Buildings in High Winds
Can a metal building withstand a tornado? ›
The strength of steel is a great benefit for your facility, especially if located in an area that commonly gets high-force natural disasters such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Steel buildings can withstand forces up to 170 mph.
How much wind can a metal building withstand? ›
In fact, steel buildings are able to handle wind speeds of up to 120 mph. Even in areas with high winds, the building may only sway a few inches at most – which is not enough for it to do any damage or collapse.
Is it safe to be in a metal building during a thunderstorm? ›
In the case of a metal roofed building, any electricity from a lightning strike will be safely transferred to the ground below so occupants will be unaffected. Plus, metal's inflammable nature means your home will be even more safe should the rare chance of a lightning strike actually take place.
Are metal buildings more likely to get struck by lightning? ›
Lightning is more likely to hit trees or tall buildings–and many tall buildings are metal. However, there is no more risk of a steel building being struck than any other structure.
What type of construction is most resistant to tornadoes? ›
Heavy building materials (e.g., reinforced masonry or concrete) that are well tied to all other building components often survive extreme winds. The weight of these materials helps resist uplift and lateral loads, and heavy materials often stop windborne debris that can increase damage to the building.
What is the safest building for a tornado? ›
Of course, the safest place to be when a tornado approaches is in a basem*nt or storm shelter underground. But if you are not able to get to a shelter or basem*nt, you need to find shelter that is available. If you have a cellar, storm shelter, safe room or basem*nt available, go immediately to that area.
Is a pole barn safe during a tornado? ›
By embedding posts deep in the ground, builders can strengthen the entire structure. With that design, the walls are not connected to the foundation. That can help a pole barn withstand uplift from fierce winds. Another weak point is the connection between trusses and wall top plates.
Can a metal building withstand a hurricane? ›
Steel buildings are durable outdoor storage structures that are ideal in places where hurricanes are prevalent. Not only are they great for large storage, but they are also incredibly safe — even in the most severe types of weather.
What is a wind load in a steel structure? ›
Wind loads are external forces that act on steel structures due to the movement of air around them. They can cause significant stresses, displacements, vibrations, and failures in steel structures if not properly considered in the design and analysis process.
All metal building components must be electrically bonded together, and each building must be independently grounded.
What happens if I house with a metal roof gets struck by lightning? ›
As a naturally non-combustible and conductive material, a metal roof with an installed lightning protection grounding system provides an easier path to the ground, spreading the force out from the lightning strike and preventing concentrated hot points.
Is it safe to live in a metal building? ›
The short answer is yes, and steel buildings are safe to live in, just like any other building.
Should you put lightning rods on a metal building? ›
Metal roofs do not attract lightning strikes; nor do metal roofs protect a building against lightning. The only way to protect a building is with a properly designed and installed lightning protection system (LPS).
How to protect a metal building from lightning? ›
A complete lightning protection system is required that connects the air terminals and conductor leads either to a recognized, adequate grounding source or to the structural steel which is then grounded at grade level to a recognized, adequate grounding source.
What building gets struck by lightning the most? ›
The country's tallest buildings attract lightning strikes:
The Willis Tower in Chicago was struck 38 times. In New York, One World Trade Center racked up 26 lightning strikes. In third place was 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hanco*ck Center) in Chicago, with 15 strikes.
Can steel survive a tornado? ›
Benefits of steel in disaster-resistant construction
Not only is steel a cost-effective building material, but it can withstand large amounts of force while retaining its shape. Because of its tensile strength, frameworks and foundations that use steel can bend without breaking.
Can a metal roof survive a tornado? ›
As one of the strongest roofing materials on the market, a metal roof is ideal for homeowners in tornado-prone regions thanks to the protection it provides against wind, hail, wind-driven rain and storm debris.
How do barndominiums hold up in tornados? ›
The steel structure of a steel barndominium has a higher wind resistance than a conventional wood frame home. While the metal integrity of your home can endure a tornado, the windows and doors may not. Special windows have to be purchased that have a stronger design pressure rating.
Can any building survive an EF5 tornado? ›
But while the most violent and rare EF-5 tornado can level and blow away almost any house, most tornadoes are much weaker and can be survived using some safety precautions – chiefly, taking advantage of a basem*nt if your home happens to have one.
