Rebuilding for future storms
After Hurricane Ike ravaged the beach community of Galveston, TX, in 2008, the city’s infrastructure was in desperate need of attention. Over 80% of the tiny island’s houses were damaged along with most critical care facilities in this beachfront community.
Architects, tasked with rebuilding the city’s essential services including waste-water management, hospitals and fire stations, chose products that would endure future storms.
The city had to replace a crucial fire station that services the Galveston international airport as well as the surrounding gulf community. The station’s vulnerable location, just four blocks from the Gulf, meant that the architects had to meet stringent local wind and fire codes.
Galveston Fire Station #4
Long lasting Bison ipê wood deck tiles, with a Class A fire-rating, were used on the balcony deck floor, providing an ideal place for firefighters to relax at the station when not on duty.
Corrosion-resistant, adjustable Bison deck supports ensure that the chlorides found in the salt water environment won’t affect the performance of the Bison wood tile deck. The firehouse’s modern deck compliments Galveston’s resort style architecture. Bison deck tiles, made with remnants from South American hardwoods, are constructed from the same materials as many Oceanside boardwalks that have lasted for decades.
When used with Bison FS1 fastening system, Bison ipê wood tiles have met local wind uplift codes adding to the resilience of this seaside structure.
Location: Galveston, TX USA Completion Date: 2011
Owner: City of Galveston
Architect: HDR Architects and English + Associates
Galveston Fire Station #1
The $9.6 million Fire Station No. 1 was one of the last large projects funded by Ike disaster relief money. The station was rebuilt to withstand a category 5 hurricane (winds up to 157 mph), while preserving its original historic design.
Hanover supplied Hanover 330 Guardian System pavers for the roof in a Natural color. The Guardian® Paver System especially for the most severe conditions, which require an elevated roof paver pedestal system. This system creates a monolithic paver surface which provides high wind uplift resistance.
Guardian is made up of a unique 3-piece Guardian Pedestal and a specially shaped Guardian Paver that, together, “lock down” and unitize the entire roof paver surface, preventing horizontal and vertical movement – it is meant to be walked and lived on. The Guardian Pedestal has a square top that allows its bolt to pass through to a base beneath, fitting into a recessed grooved portion of the Guardian Paver.
U.S. Patent #6,604,330 and Canadian Patent 2,409,312.
Location: Galveston, TX USA Completion Date: August 2019
Owner: City of Galveston
