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Advanced Wind Warning System
Many firms are interested in obtaining more localized, timely and detailed weather
forecast information for the purposes of planning operations, material handling
and mitigation activities as they pertain to their daily operations.
How can Envision Help?
Envision is an automated computer modelling system that combines weather forecast
technology with the science of wind engineering and complex aerodynamics to provide
site- and height-specific wind gust forecasts to contractors of tall buildings, bridges,
and other construction sites. Some features of Envision include
- integration of multiple weather forecasts to provide advanced warning of up to 48 hours of
wind gusts or adverse weather conditions that may cause wind gusts;
- forecasts can be viewed over the internet using web browsers, smart phones or, alternatively,
can be delivered as an email;
- site-specific weather forecast is available at multiple working heights that accounts
for surrounding land uses, structures and terrain;
- available 24 hours a day; and,
- an additional tool to ensure worker and public safety.
Download the Wind Gust Forecasting brochure (PDF 926KB).
Simulated wind speeds flowing around the tops and bottoms of buildings in downtown
Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Blues and greens represent slower winds; oranges and reds
represent faster winds.
High winds can be very disruptive to construction sites
Areas of concern include
- unsecured materials being blown from structures and falling to the ground;
- loose materials being blown into and damaging the facade of nearby buildings;
- structural damage caused by wind loads on tarps and other coverings / fabrics;
- crane fatigue / failures, etc.;
- wind action on swing-stages; and,
- insufficient advance warning for emergency managers.
Are you making decisions using the best available technology?
In most jurisdictions, national weather services provide warnings when wind speeds
at ground level are predicted or measured to exceed certain critical thresholds.
However, this information does not reflect the complex aerodynamic conditions of
urban areas or wind speeds at different working heights which is critical for tall
buildings.
Benefits of the System
The goal of the Advanced Weather Forecasting system is to provide detailed meteorological
information to operators. Benefits include
- a high resolution forecast;
- forecast conditions are displayed hourly and are updated every 3 hours;
- forecast can be delivered by email at predefined times (e.g. 6 am and 3 pm);
- customizable alerts that allow users to specify wind gust thresholds at different
working heights and who should receive them;
- relay of Weather Office alerts;
- alerts can be delivered as an email or SMS text message to on-site personnel, safety
officers and decision makers;
- advanced auditing that keeps a record of each weather forecast, alert, and the recipients;
- lightning prediction and detection;
- forecasts are customizable to include wind gust speed, precipitation, temperature,
and other parameters; and,
- customizable alerts that allow users to specify wind gust thresholds at different
working heights and who should receive them.
Vertical cross-section of simulated wind speeds flowing around buildings in downtown
Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Blues and greens represent slower winds; oranges and reds
represent faster winds.
Who can benefit from the system?
- municipalities that are concerned about wind related accidents on construction sites;
- construction companies that are concerned about site safety;
- heavy lift operations (e.g., bridge sections);
- emergency responders / response personnel;
- operations managers for structures such as an operable roof on a stadium; and,
- insurance companies.
Call us today to learn how RWDI can assist in
providing advanced wind warnings.
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Applications
Sectors
RWDI Monitoring System Predicted Storm and Mobilized Crews
Calgary Herald - Full Article
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The city implemented the forecasting technology after a freak windstorm [...] In
August 2009 three-year-old Michelle Krsek was killed by a steel bundle that plummeted
from a downtown work site during a gusty storm.
"Because of that, we, with the industry, have made some drastic adjustments in what
we consider to be safe, and we’ve seen the results of that ... this last weekend
that demonstrates it is valuable," said Kevin Griffiths, the City of Calgary’s chief
building official.
RWDI Wind Warning System Prevents Disaster at Calgary Construction Sites
Global News - Full Story & Video
Monday, November 28, 2011
"We were forecasting 150 kilometre an hour winds at 250 metres, 24 hours in advance,"
says Cliff [de Jong], Building Regulations with the City of Calgary. As a result,
the majority of construction sites were prepared for Sunday’s fierce storm that
sent debris flying, smashing windows on several high rises.
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