The Skin of Your Building

Every panel, tile, and connection on your building's exterior faces different wind forces. Understand the layers that protect what's inside.

Toggle the exploded view to see each layer. Click layers to learn more.

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Roofing Components

Roof panels, tiles, shingles, and their fasteners. Experience the highest uplift pressures, especially at edges and corners.

Zone 3 corners: up to -115 PSF

Understanding Wind Zones

Wind doesn't hit your building evenly. Corners and edges see forces 2-3 times higher than the middle.

Wall Zones

Zone 1

Zone 2

Zone 3

Roof Zones

Field

Perimeter

Corner/Ridge

Pressure by Zone

Based on 180 mph design wind speed for Broward County HVHZ. Values shown are negative (suction) pressures.

Interior Field

-48 PSF

Lowest pressures. Standard fastener patterns apply. Most of your building area.

Perimeter Edges

-78 PSF

60% higher than field. Increased fastener density required. Width = 10% of least dimension.

Corners

-115 PSF

Highest pressures. Maximum fastener density. Special reinforced connections needed.

What Counts as C&C?

Everything on the outside of your building that isn't part of the main frame.

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Roof Tiles

□

Metal Panels

▣

Windows

▤

Doors

▥

Soffits

▦

Fascia

▧

Gutters

▨

Skylights

▩

Louvers

▪

Canopies

▫

Wall Cladding

▬

Parapets

C&C Pressure Calculator

Estimate component pressures for all three zones based on your building.

Component Type

Design Wind Speed (mph)

Effective Wind Area (sq ft)

Mean Roof Height (ft)

Zone 1

-48

PSF

Zone 2

-78

PSF

Zone 3

-115

PSF

Based on ASCE 7-22 Chapter 30 Components and Cladding provisions
Exposure Category C | Enclosed Building Classification

Common Questions

What are Components and Cladding (C&C) in wind engineering?

Components and Cladding (C&C) refers to the exterior skin of a building - roof panels, wall panels, windows, doors, and their connections. Unlike the main structure (MWFRS), C&C elements experience localized wind pressures that can be 2-3 times higher, especially at corners and edges where wind accelerates around the building.

Why are C&C pressures higher than MWFRS pressures?

C&C elements are smaller and experience localized pressure spikes. Wind creates vortices at corners and edges, creating suction zones with much higher negative pressures. A 4x4 foot roof panel at a corner can see pressures 3 times higher than the building's average. The main structure averages these out, but individual panels cannot.

What are wind zones for C&C design?

Buildings are divided into zones based on wind flow patterns. Zone 1 is the interior field (lowest pressures), Zone 2 is perimeter edges, and Zone 3 is corners (highest pressures). Roof zones work similarly with Zone 1 (interior), Zone 2 (perimeter), and Zone 3 (corners/ridge). Each zone requires different fastener patterns.

How does effective wind area affect C&C pressures?

Smaller effective wind areas see higher pressures. A 10 sq ft panel experiences much higher unit pressure than a 100 sq ft panel. This is why small elements like roof tiles, soffits, and trim often fail first in hurricanes - they see the highest localized loads. The code accounts for this with area-dependent pressure coefficients.

What C&C requirements apply in Broward County HVHZ?

All C&C in Broward County must be designed for 180+ mph wind speeds. Products need Miami-Dade NOA approval. Fastener patterns must meet increased spacing requirements at corners and edges. Testing per TAS 201/202/203 is required for all exterior products. Every component must have documentation showing it meets HVHZ requirements.