"Practical Industry Insight, from a Respected Industry Leader"

Hurricane Ike Aftermath...

Having been a survivor of Hurricane Rita, I have made it U.S. Ply’s mission to develop and implement products and systems that are designed specifically for Hurricane Prone Zones. We have invested over half a million dollars testing and approving roof systems with FM (Factory Mutual), and 3rd Party Certified Laboratories in accordance with FM standards, so consumers of our products know they have the best quality available to them. We at U.S. Ply believe that developing stronger, sturdier, and more durable roofs for these Hurricane Prone Zones is a fundamental necessity for areas along the Gulf Coast, such as Galveston and Houston.

Hurricanes are a problem that will not be going away and a strong roof system design is the best defense against them for your building. Roofs protect 90% of your company’s investments and, according the roofing statistics, amount to only 5% percent of the total building cost. During the last 16 years, we have encountered the top five most devastating and costly hurricanes in recorded American history.  These hurricanes consist of:

Hurricane Katrina – Category 5 – 2005

• $76 Billion
• Claimed the lives of 1,604 people and was one of the most costly and deadliest ever

Hurricane Andrew – Category 4 – 1992

• $45 Billion
• Even though the death toll was relatively low, but damage was monumental

Hurricane Ike – September 13, 2008

Hurricane Ivan – Category 3 – 2004

• $17.7 Billion
• Claimed 92 lives and caused several tornadoes which claimed 14 more

Hurricane Charley – Category 4 – 2004

• $15.4 Billion
• Wind speeds of 150 mph were recorded

As of September 16, 2008, Hurricane Ike’s desolation of the Texas coast now ranks third on this list causing an estimated $22 billion in damages and claiming the lives of at least 48 individuals. This storm possessed sustained wind speeds of 110 mph and was the first major hurricane to strike the Texas coast head-on in 25 years.

The question now posed is “Will insurance companies continue to back roofs meeting the minimum building codes required in these Hurricane Prone Zones?” Building codes are put in place to guarantee safety, but they are the minimum in building design requirements and do not factor in disaster scenarios. Installing a roof that can meet and exceed a higher standard, one that can take the brunt of a severe storm and last through it, may become the requirements of insurance companies across the board in the very near future. Having to meet these new standards is what we are here for. We have some of the highest FM approval ratings around and offer high wind resistant solutions for structural or lightweight concrete, steel, and even wood decks. In fact, we are the first and only company in FM history to MAX OUT their 12’ x 24’ wind uplift test, receiving an FM approval rating of 1-465 on a steel deck!

I believe every available option must be taken under consideration and utilized to ensure the safety, stability, and survival of every company and its employees. Every day that your business is down is a day that you are losing essential profits. And not only are you losing those profits, you now have to supply money to rebuild the losses sustained causing an exponential increase of money bleeding out of your company. If you are able to protect the property inside your building, getting your business back on its feet becomes a matter of days instead of weeks or months.

The key to “Weathering The Next Storm” is being proactive and investing your money where it matters most. Of all the factors that contribute to roof/deck failures in hurricane affected zones, three leading factors are believed to comprise over 80 percent of these failures. They are (a) inadequate perimeter attachment, (b) installation related issues, and (c) inadequate design. Avoiding these costly errors will easily pay for itself the next time a hurricane slashes through your city.

I hope and pray that we, as a nation, can rebound from this horrific ordeal stronger, smarter, and united in the belief that we must make changes to protect the places we love. These steps start TODAY and they begin with YOUtaking the initiative to do what must be done. With a drop of sweat, some hard work, and a little help from us at U.S. Ply, we can move forward into a safer future.

Until next time…

My Best Regards,

Danny Adair

CEO/President

U.S. PLY, INC.

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