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HomesPlus, The Journal Inquirer (CT)
December 11, 2004
Safe at Home Ê
Safe Rooms offer protection from storm destruction
By Judith A. Roman
Charley. Frances. Ivan. The amount of devastation and destruction
caused by these hurricanes in Florida last summer is still being
calculated. Measured in dollars, the number, no doubt, will be
astronomical. In terms of human suffering, it's impossible to
imagine.
Connecticut residents, who have not had to deal with a hurricane
since Bob hit the eastern portion of the state in 1991, can do
little but sympathize with, contribute aid in some way, and pray for
those who suffered the wrath of the wind and water.
But the thousands of Connecticut snowbirds who spend the winter
months in that southern clime might benefit from a recently
introduced concept in construction called hurricane-resistant "Safe
Rooms" by Efficient Wall Systems of Florida in Sarasota.
General Manager Herman Guevara noted, "We were pleased to see how
well the walls withstood the wind pressure testing they were exposed
to, in excess of 250 mph. That exceeded even our expectations."
(According to Google, the highest wind gust ever recorded, on top of
Mount Washington, N.H., on April 12, 1934, was 231 mph.)
Company President Oscar Stefanutti said, "We are proud to be able to
offer this timely product to our clients. The peace of mind the Safe
Room provides pays for itself in the unfortunate event it ever gets
put to use."
The average construction cost associated with E-wall systems
compared to traditional concrete construction so prevalent in
Florida is only 1 to 2 percent higher. Guevara quoted the
bunker-like 9-by-12 foot Safe Room that can be incorporated into
homes or stand alone at $9,000 to $12,000.
According to Nancy Engel, executive director of the Economic
Development Council of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, "New
construction fared much better than old construction during the
hurricane season. The E-Wall system is an attractive option. It can
help residents with older homes since Safe Rooms can be added to
existing houses."
Engel suggests that buyers, not builders, will direct the changes in
house construction. "This will be consumer-driven," she predicted.
Guevara agreed. "Once people learn there are some different
construction options available, they tend to make decisions based on
long term investment. It's hard to put a value on safety and health
issues. It's easier to sell the Safe Room concept to end users, who
look at the safety aspect of it, than to builders who look at the
cost, even though it is only slightly higher than concrete block
construction," he commented.
The Safe Room construction features a stay-in-place form system with
poured-in-place, steel reinforced, solid concrete walls and roof
with a reinforced steel door and an air vent. It can be designed
with or without air conditioning. Installation is quick, usually
only a few days, due in part to the pre-manufactured, panelized wall
system (called the E-Wall) that is lowered in place rather than
built from the ground up in separate sections. Once installed on
site, the panels are filled with concrete for strength.
According to Guevara, "The patented wall regimen is a sturdier,
straighter, and cost-competitive alternative to concrete block
technology. Our E-Wall system takes half the time of a standard
concrete block system to install and uses one-third the labor.
E-Wall panels are typically set and poured in less than a week and
come pre-studded with exposed plywood furring strips, allowing
electrical wiring and drywall to be installed by conventional means.
Thanks to a poured solid installation method and two-inch
insulation, the walls are extremely energy-efficient," he explained.
Also, Safe Rooms are mold, mildew, and moisture resistant, pest
(termite) resistant, have a cementitious ready exterior
(stucco-like), and drywall ready interior.
Not only will the Safe Room provide security for the family during a
storm, but it is an ideal location for storing important documents
and other valuables.
Safe Rooms are all custom built. Guevara recommended that homeowners
first consider the length of time they may spend in the room.
"Seeking shelter from a tornado may require only a matter of
minutes. Hurricanes are very different. Families may need protection
for hours, or even days, and that should be considered when planning
a Safe Room."
Originally based in Detroit where it sold 200 wall systems,
primarily for basements in Michigan and throughout the Midwest, the
Efficient Wall Systems company opened its Florida office in November
2002 and introduced the Safe Room in September. That product was an
extension of their line of E-Wall systems featuring the
pre-fabricated form, poured-on-site construction. They currently
have 45 employees.
Guevara said They focus their marketing in Florida because of the
large demand for the product. "We're looking at opening more
manufacturing outlets in Florida to better service our customers.
Beyond that, our products are ideal for locations where safety is a
concern due to hurricanes and tornadoes," he explained, "and we'll
go where the demands are greatest."
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