Increasing high wind safety for Canadian homes: A foundational document for low-rise residential and small buildings

This report provides the basis for the development of a set of commonly acceptable, relatively straightforward wind risk reduction measures that can be incorporated into new single-family home construction and significant renovations to reduce risk to life, health and property. Measures presented in this document are intended to reduce risk from high winds associated with tornadoes, hurricanes and other types of extreme weather events.

Measures presented in the report are based on research concerning performance of wood-frame buildings in high wind events, damage surveys following wind events and tornadoes in Canada and North America, best practices applied in North America, practical experience, and input from research, engineering, building and insurance professionals. Many of the measures presented here are already included in Canadian and provincial construction codes but may not be routinely applied to home construction in all regions that may be exposed to high wind events (e.g., regions prone to tornadoes).