What A Week! ANSI/SDI A250.13: Raising the Bar for Wind Resistance

What happens when severe winds breach a building's exterior? The damage can extend far beyond a failed door. In this episode of What a Week, Dave Stutzman, Steve Gantner, and Elias Saltz examine a new Steel Door Institute standard, ANSI/SDI A250.13, addressing severe windstorm-resistant swinging door assemblies. The standard fills a gap between conventional steel doors and specialized storm shelter assemblies, providing a framework for evaluating resistance to wind pressure and windborne debris. The discussion explores how door construction, latching hardware, frame anchorage, and swing direction affect building envelope performance during hurricanes and other severe wind events. The team also distinguishes windstorm resistance from tornado shelter requirements and examines why maintaining the integrity of an opening is critical to preventing cascading building damage. The takeaway: Windstorm resilience depends on the performance of the entire door assembly, not just the door itself. Understanding the applicable standards and specifying coordinated components can help protect building integrity, reduce risk, and support more resilient design.