PERFORMANCE OF SCHOOLS AND SHELTERS
Culebra Ecological School also used a metal panel roof system (Figure 4-25). While most of the roof was not damaged, several areas did experience damage. This school, constructed after Hurricane Georges on Culebra, is located within 1,500 feet (460 meters) of the coast and exhibited notable corrosion that affected roof performance. In addition to the weakening of roof elements due to corrosion, the metal panel roof covering experienced damage at some locations along the edge zones of the roof. This roof damage appeared to be because of inadequate fasteners on the roof. Figure 4-25 (left) shows where the roof performed well and where the edges of the roof panels were secured by two rows of fasteners (blue arrows). In contrast, Figure 4-25 (right) shows where the roof panels failed, resulting in water intrusion and damage to the adjacent photovoltaic (PV) panels. The roof panels in this location had only one row of fasteners along the roof edge (red arrow). This school also functioned as the main shelter in Culebra and was used during both Irma and Maria.
Figure 4-25: Roof covering with two rows of connections near edge of roof covering, left, performed better than roof covering with only one row of connections near edge, right.
The Palmas Academy in Palmas del Mar (Figure 4-26) was the only school the MAT observed with a tile roof covering. This school had a combination of tile roof coverings and modified bitumen on the flat roof sections. The tile roof covering did not perform well, and in many locations the tile covering was lost; however, the MAT could not determine if the tile failed from wind pressures or wind-borne debris impact. Figure 4-26: Tile roof failure at The Palmas Academy in Palmas del Mar.
HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA IN PUERTO RICO
MITIGATION ASSESSMENT TEAM REPORT
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