Safe and Sustainable Sheds
In March 2006 Cyclone LARRY struck in North Queensland causing considerable damage to many structures including steel sheds. A report provided by the James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station at Townsville had the following findings for sheds that were assessed by their team.
- Best estimate of Cyclone Larry wind speeds near Innisfail is about 200 - 240 km/h (low cyclone Cat 4) note not a design wind event.
- Damage to 30% of cold formed sheds from loss of cladding through to collapse.
- Observed failures were related to current design standards not being met; Inappropriate design (topography, internal pressure), missing or corroded connections, etc.
- Failure of roller doors, soffits, etc led to additional building damage.
- Cold Formed Structures designed to current designed codes performed well.
Cyclone Larry followed other non-cyclonic storm events in many states including a major storm at Emerald QLD which saw the catastrophic failure of a number of steel sheds.
As a result of these failures, Government Regulators and Building Certifiers called on the Australian Steel Institute to facilitate improved Standards by the steel shed industry for sheds in all regions of Australia.
In response to these requests, the ASI Steel Shed Design Guide for Portal Frames Sheds and Garages was developed and launched in 2008. The design guide provides guidance for engineers & designers in the correct application of design codes for steel sheds.
The design guide seeks to encourage efficient design of sheds that are able to withstand the weather conditions for which they are designed.
All steel sheds are recyclable at the end of their design life.
Purchasers of steel sheds, should have confidence the shed they are purchasing will keep not only the contents of the building safe but also be a safe structure...ShedSafe.
