ARA Wind Certification Services

ARA performs wind certification surveys of houses and buildings to certify the building features that qualify for insurance discounts.

If you are interested in learning more about the wind certification surveys, click here.

Florida Prototype Building Program (FPBP)

Applied Research Associates has been choosen as the administrator for the FPBP. ARA staff and its consultants will perform building plan reviews according to the Florida Building Code. The web-based system allows contractors and designers to submit plans electronically. For instructions on using the system click here.

Hurricane Isabel Loss Analysis

Applied Research Associates used the HAZUS-MH software it developed for FEMA to produce real-time estimates of losses prior to Hurricane Isabel making landfall on Sept 18, 2003. The preview Hurricane model has been delivered FEMA and is undergoing final review. >>More

ARA completes Research on Wood Panel Shutters

The Florida Building Code and the International Residential Code allow the use of structural wood panels (plywood or OSB) in one and two story buildings as temporary window protection for hurricanes. ARA recently completed experimental and analytical research to determine the effectiveness of these panels in reducing losses in windstorms. A copy of the report is available from the Florida Division of Emergency Management website.

11th International Conference on Wind Engineering 2003 ARA staff presented 7 papers at this conference in June 2-5, 2003 on hurricane modelling, HAZUS-MH, and Flood modelling.