Wind loads during a cyclone, named a Hurricane in the Caribbean, or a cyclone, named a Typhoon in the seas of Asia,  are enormous and can be devastating.  A mature Hurricane or Typhoon consists of bands of thunderclouds. Hurricanes (only occurring at the Northern Hemisphere) spiral in counter clockwise direction around the center (eye) of the storm. Typhoons (only occurring at the Southern Hemisphere) rotate in clock wise direction. The wind speeds are highest in the eye. The whole storm can consist of hundreds of thunderstorms and measure up to 1000 kilometers in diameter. To qualify as a Hurricane or Typhoon, a storm must produce winds of over 33 meters per second (193 Mph or 119 Km/h). Cyclones can be devastating, in particular when a structure has low stability (*)

Prefabricated wooden houses are extremely sensitive for unbalance. It is therefore a prerequisite that wooden prefab houses be designed in accordance with the proper codes if such house is to be built in a cyclone belt. Based on our 40 years of experience we guarantee your Prefab Bali House will be designed accordingly by applying the IBC 2009. For the USA the applicable amendments which are in force for the County where the unit will be built will be applied.

The wind loads in the Hurricane or Typhoon belt depend on the Saffir-Simpson scale in which category such storm is assigned. A category 5 storm may well reach a devastating wind speed of 155 Mph (252 km/h). In accordance with the IBC 2009, the highest basic wind speed may occur at the Southern Hemisphere (Typhoon) measuring 170 Mph (276 Km/h). The Hurricanes in the Caribbean storm belt are mostly assigned to a maximum of a category 4 storm with a maximum speed of 145 Mph (235 Km/h). The Hawaiian islands  are assigned to category 2 with a maximum wind speed of 105 Mph. Recent scientific studies, however, reveal that the Hurricane and Typhoon wind forces will increase considerably during the next decennium due to global warming. In consequence and as per the scientific prediction we have arbitrarily increased the standard IBC wind loads with 10% for extra safety. The standard construction for our houses is based on a normal general highest wind load, however, the construction will be modified based on the the results of our structural analyses for the hurricane or cyclone area where the house is to be built. 

We will use hurricane anchors in the structure when the design needs to withstand hurricane wind forces.  

In September 2004 one of our buildings withstood hurricane Ivan that struck the Cayman islands
In November 2009 a 2-storey unit designed and prefabricated by us lost only some roof tiles when the island of Sta. Lucia in the Caribbean was hit by hurricane Thomas

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