Publications

The Blue Sky Foundation of N.C. is pleased to provide its patrons with useful publications concerning hazard resistant construction practices, hurricanes, high winds and flooding.

Publications by the Blue Sky Foundation

• Blue Sky Residential High Wind Construction Manual (2,691 KB)
  This manual will serve as a reference for builders and engineers constructing residential structures in high wind areas. Information from the FEMA Coastal Construction Manual, the 2001 Wood Frame Construction Manual, and the SBCCI 10-99 Standard for Hurricane-Resistant Construction is synthesized in an easy-to-use format. Topics discussed include roof systems-sheathing attachment, underlayment, and shingles-as well as opening protection for windows and doors, light frame (wood and steel) construction, masonry buildings, and foundation systems. This manual is designed to assist builders; architects and engineers make the right decisions on high wind resistant construction. Every home is unique and there are no general recommendations that are universally applicable to all homes.
• Blue Sky Residential High Wind Consumer Guide (5,125 KB)
  If you live in a hurricane prone area, you should consider very carefully the way the home you buy or build is constructed, it may make all the difference during the storm. This consumer guide will give you specific, economical, and event tested recommendations to make informed buying/building decisions that will protect your home, possessions and perhaps yourself if you stay at home in a storm.
• Blue Sky Roof Sheathing Construction Guideline (68 KB)
  This guideline provides a nail fastening schedule and layout pattern for attaching structural-rated sheathing to roof framing with hand or power-driven nailing. Roof sheathing can become detached by high winds. The thickness and nailing of the roof sheathing must be adequate to resist forces from high winds.
• Blue Sky Asphalt/Composite Shingle Roof System Construction Guideline (521 KB)
  This guideline provides information for the installation of an asphalt/composite shingle roof system including the underlayment. Manufacturers generally do not warranty their products for wind speeds above 60 mph. Asphalt/Composite shingles perform poorly in high winds and are a source of debris but are a popular choice of homeowners and builders. This guideline is intended as an improvement or supplement to common practice and the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• 2001 Field Evaluation of 16 North Carolina Manufactured Homes Energy Efficiency and Moisture Retention Data Report (4,333KB)
  Blue Sky Foundation, in coordination with the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), conducted an evaluation of energy efficiency and the moisture damage potential in 16 North Carolina homes in the summer of 2001. Blue Sky Foundation proposed that the field evaluation of energy and moisture focus on the integrity of the building envelope, HVAC duct systems, and the moisture impact of un-vented space heaters. All of the homes in the study were manufactured models located in Carteret and Craven counties, both located on the coast of North Carolina.
• Exemplary Communities Criteria Development (9,597KB)
  A natural disaster-resistant community is one less likely to suffer damage from diminished productivity or reduced quality of life due to a natural hazard. These communities tend to need less public and private assistance to recover. Hazard resistance is determined by how it fits within the framework of a community¹s economic, quality of life, social and environmental goals. To optimize hazard resistance in a free market economy successfully, specific criteria must be established. These criteria must include three elements: Identification of the hazard, measurement or rating of the community resistance to that hazard and reasoned rewards for increasing resistance. Within each criterion there is, generally speaking, a goal for protection based on 2%, 1% and .2% risk factors. This report documents the history, process, context, specific criteria and recommendations for continued work in developing optimal hazard-resistant communities.

Disclaimer

While proper construction techniques add to the performance of a home in high winds, it is important to remember, however, that NOTHING IS HURRICANE PROOF. The state-of-the-art in storm winds protection for homes and businesses is constantly advancing. Ongoing scientific and engineering research may yield improved design and installation recommendations in the future. Please note the date on your version of the manual and if over two years old, contact the Foundation to see if there are updates, or consult a licensed engineer before implementing.

Publications by other agencies

• These publications have been produced by other agencies and collected here to provide you with one area from which to access this important information. All files are in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Click here to view the list of publications along with a brief description of each.
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• Several agencies have printed materials on hazard resistant construction, land use policy, floodplain management, and other loss reduction measures. View a listing of these publications by clicking here
  
• For information on how to order a publication from a specific agency click here