Event created to help Texas communities design, engineer and construct FEMA compliant dome structures.
SEALY, Texas (MMD Newswire) October 3, 2012 -- American Business Continuity Domes (ABC Domes), the U.S. - based developer and builder of disaster-resistant, steel-reinforced thin-shell concrete domes, recently hosted the first FEMA Storm Shelter Dome Conference at its Sealy, Texas Command Center Dome. Along with strategic alliance partners, Dome Technology and ES2 Engineering System Solutions, the company created the conference to provide recipients of the Texas Safe Shelter Initiative (TSSI) grants with vital information and support related to the design, engineering and construction of FEMA compliant dome structures.
The one-day conference drew approximately 70 attendees and featured presentations by industry leaders on topics including:
• Critical requirements of FEMA 361 and standards for compliance
• Engineering and construction integrity of domes
• Impact resistant doors and windows
• Insulated concrete forms vs. concrete masonry units
• Power requirements in disaster recovery environments
"We originally identified a need in this market when our team participated in a Texas Department of Emergency Management webinar. One of the take away messages was the assumption that mistakes would be made as lessons are learned about dome development. We felt an obligation to raise the bar, educate, and share the standards that our companies have been built upon. To that end, we assembled a dedicated team of professionals who could help grant recipients avoid an expensive and potentially devastating learning curve," said Peter Fedele, CEO of ABC Domes.
"Our event featured presenters that included Dr. Ernst Kiesling, Professor of Civil Engineering from Texas Tech's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, executives from NUDURA Corporation, Insulgard Security Products and Power Plus, as well as our strategic alliance partners, Dome Technology and ES2 Engineering System Solutions," continued Mr. Fedele.
The Storm Shelter Dome Conference is the prototype for future events that will be held in Texas and other states that are typically impacted by natural disasters. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes for long-term hazard mitigation projects following a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the program is to reduce the loss of life and property in future disasters by funding mitigation measures during the recovery phase of a natural disaster. THE HMGP is authorized under Section 404 of the Stafford Act.
ABC Domes develops specialized commercial domes throughout the United States. The company presently has multi-dome business continuity facilities in Lakeland, Florida, a LEED Silver rated dome in Sealy, Texas and a school dome, under construction in Hammon, Oklahoma. ABC Domes' structures provide near absolute protection from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and fires, and are utilized by a variety of industries for purposes ranging from secure storage to disaster recovery and business continuity.
ABC Domes are far superior to traditionally constructed buildings. Because of their strong and ergonomic shape, and use of superior building materials, they are virtually unaffected by time, weather, seismic activity, or manmade assault, thus meeting FEMA's standards for near-absolute survivability. The domes, built to withstand wind speeds of 300 miles per hour, are the most disaster-resistant structures that can be built, and at a price-to-value ratio more favorable than traditional construction.
Dome Technology is a world-leader and premier builder of insulated steel reinforced concrete domes. Over the past 30 years, they have successfully completed 500 domes throughout the United States and internationally.
As a team, ABC Domes and Dome Technology possess more than 45 years of proven experience in the creation of thin-shell concrete domes.
ES2 Engineering System Solutions is a full-service, licensed, and insured structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical engineering company, and a Building Systems Commissioning firm. In the area of steel reinforced, thin-shell concrete domes, ES2 has advanced design and analysis skills not found in any other professional firm in the world. ES2 has been the engineer of record for the vast majority of reinforced concrete shells constructed globally, using the air formed method.
For further information, please contact Peter Fedele at 979.885.1919 or Lisa Schunack at 305.441.8580 or ls@abcdomes.com. You may also visit:
www.abcdomes.com
www.dometech.com
www.es2eng.com