Miami, FL (PRWEB) September 29, 2010 — In an effort to eventually bypass FEMA entirely, EcoSteel Building Systems has recently donated a steel home to Arcadia-DeSoto County Habitat for Humanity built to withstand 145 mph winds by utilizing a HUD hurricane rated OTI steel foundation system. This 900 sq. ft., 2BR/1BA, all steel home, was donated to the Arcadia-DeSoto area due to heavy devastation caused by Hurricane Charley.
Joss Hudson, President of EcoSteel Building Systems of Park City Utah, said “I am pleased to donate to such a worthy cause and offer hurricane resistant shelter to individuals who would otherwise not have access. I intend to use steel homes to create a higher standard for disaster relief housing worldwide. Hopefully, the new owners will find comfort and safety in this hurricane resistant home.”
EcoSteel Building Systems, in conjunction with various partner architects, have designed and engineered prefabricated steel homes meant to address all potential hazards to homeowners in the US and developing countries affected by recent natural disasters. Disaster affected and poverty stricken areas worldwide continue to struggle to replace housing lost due to natural disasters as non-profit and government organizations have failed to distribute large amounts of housing related funds collected thus far. Organizations seem to be confused and deadlocked by the overwhelming amounts of cheap, prefabricated housing options being continually pushed to market by fly by night companies hoping to capitalize on natural disaster related destruction. Many victims of earthquakes in Chile, Haiti, China and Mexico remain homeless even months after the initial event due to indecision on the part of funding vehicles.
Organizations like FEMA have notoriously large soft costs and end up dedicating a very small amount of funds directly toward housing. Bureaucratic creep and internal infrastructure causes these organizations to focus on “quick response” type temporary solutions. Long term housing solutions have yet to be fully realized by government organizations like FEMA.
One problem facing these agencies is the inability to determine need and provide guidance through specifications. EcoSteel’s versatile building system provides a cost effective, durable steel home that is energy efficient and low-maintenance; a flexible modular system allowing for a variety of unit configurations and sizes based on each client’s needs.
In many undeveloped areas there are no codes to dictate levels of housing durability or safety. EcoSteel’s micro-shelter units can be specified to meet Dade County, FL wind loading codes of 140 mph while also capable of meeting California’s seismic code requirements. Of the myriad of disaster relief housing solutions available, very few seem to mention any sort of performance related technical data as pertaining to safety or durability.
As a longer term solution, steel homes intended for disaster relief housing can be presented as a technology transfer to developing countries, rather than a short term solution. EcoSteel disaster relief housing components can be manufactured with small portable roll forming machines transported via light pickup trucks. Heavy gauge coils of steel are used to create structure, and lighter gauge coils are used to create corrugated wall and roof panels. These shelters can be assembled with drills and drivers and self drilling screws. “Developing countries can begin to create their own durable, disaster resistant housing while diminishing the need for US dependence,” says Hudson.
About EcoSteel:
EcoSteel Building Systems, of Park City, Utah (http://www.ecosteel.com), is a sustainable building company that provides architectural/engineering and construction solutions worldwide. The company specializes in remote location and LEED Certified construction projects. The company utilizes a hybrid building approach that combines the advantages of prefabricated and pre-engineered building technology. The system is based on a commercial steel structure and pre-finished insulated panels. EcoSteel buildings can be assembled with a local labor force of steel erectors. Faster building erection times, superior thermal qualities and more design flexibility are now available as an integrated system.
