Wind / Rain Assessment
Why do we need Wind Driven Rain (WDR) Studies?
Example of Condominium No.1
Example of Condominium No.2
- Strong wind forces rain into lift lobbies damaging lifts. Lift must be shut down / repaired which causes inconveniences to end users and occupiers. In the meantime, the JMB/JMC (s) have to fork out substantial amount of sinking funds to repair the damaged lifts.
- Rain that intrude to resident's / occupant's spaces will in turn damage their properties or will flood the foyers, corridors or other communal areas causing inconveniences to residents.
- Rain water overflowing from common drain into the swimming pool resulting in contamination of pool environment.
An example of mitigation of wind driven rain (WDR) problem in a lift lobby using an incorrect methodology. Photograph showed lift lobby totally enclosed with glass partitions covering the area exposed to exterior. This causes lift lobby to be stuffy and not user friendly.
Doing it right the 1st time with WDR studies!!!
- WDR studies will eliminate trial and error solutions which are time consuming and a waste of resources.
- With WDR studies, developers/builders can install façade that prevents rain from intruding to the living/communal spaces/lift lobbies with minimum materials and not overdo with materials that do not work. Initial building cost will be eventually lowered.
- WDR studies will eliminate façade design that do not overcome the problems of intruding rain thus maintaining the developer’s/builder’s reputation.
- Buyers/tenants will be happy to stay in an environment with no rain intrusion into their properties.
Fully open facade: Success story of WDR studies.
- All lift lobbies and foyers remained dry even on occasions of very heavy rains and intense winds.
- All these for a fraction of the cost as compared to having to use unnecessary methods or materials for façade that do not work and the need of mitigation once buildings are occupied.
- Doing it right the 1st time will enhance developer’s/builder’s reputation in the future.