FEMA - Hurricane Andrew - modular performed well

It's well known in the modular industry that modular construction provides a superior structure. A great proof for this opinion is to analyse how modular construction held up during a hurricane.

Hurricane Andrew provides an ideal event to compare how various types of construction held up to the intensive force of a hurricane. Initially, Hurricane Andrew was classified as Category 4, with wind speed up to 145 mph. It was later upgraded to Category 5, with speeds up to 165 mph. ( see http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/?n=andrew;  and http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/history/#andrew).

FEMA:  Executive Summary

From the executive summary, third paragraph:

"In conducting its survey, the assessment team investigated primary structural systems of buildings, i.e, systems that support the building against all lateral and vertical loads experienced during a hurricane. The building types observed were one- and two-story light wood-frame, masonry wall, combination masonry first floor with light wood-frame second floor, wood-frame modular, and manufactured homes. In general, it was observed that masonry buildings and wood-frame modular buildings performed relatively well."


Other findings included:

"The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing."

"...it was observed that ... wood-frame modular buildings performed relatively well."

"Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments."

FEMA:  Wood - Frame Modular Buildings

From the section on Wood-frame Modular Buildings:

"Overall, relatively minimal structural damage was noted in modular housing developments. The module-to-module combination of the units appears to have provided an inherently rigid system that performed much better than conventional residential framing."

You can review the full FEMA document here:

Text Version:  BUILDING PERFORMANCE: HURRICANE ANDREW IN FLORIDA  OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND TECHNICAL GUIDANCE  FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY  FEDERAL INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION  DECEMBER 21, 1992  FIA-22

PDF:   BUILDING PERFORMANCE: HURRICANE ANDREW IN FLORIDA OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND TECHNICAL GUIDANCE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEDERAL INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION DECEMBER 21, 1992 FIA-22
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