PATH - A Public Private Partnership for Advancing Housing Technology
Speed the Home Rebuilding Process
Construction speed is especially important to families who have lost their homes in a disaster. The following PATH technologies can significantly reduce the time it takes to rebuild.
Download PowerPoint presentation [2.3 mb] Design and Material Options for Flood and Water Damage Mitigation in Residential Construction
Site Work
If sewer reconnections are a problem during reconstruction, or if sites have high bedrock and/or low soil percolation rates Shared (Community) Wastewater Treatment Systems, sometimes called shared septic systems, are an affordable, space-saving solution. These systems consist of a single larger drainfield/treatment area connected to each house's individual septic tank.
Foundations
Concrete Footing and Pier Forms are quicker and less expensive alternatives to conventional forming methods for concrete footings and piers.
A Crawl Space Foundation System, also known as a Fast Track Foundation System, is a series of structural corrugated steel wall panels positioned along existing in-place structure, then cast into place, creating a foundation wall. The panels are quickly and easily installed with minimally trained labor. It is not appropriate for slab-on-grade construction, and may provide only limited cost benefit for basement foundation construction.
Walls, Roofs and Decks
Panelized Wall and Roof Systems, including Structural Insulated Panels and SIP Modular Housing, can be manufactured offsite while the sitework and foundations are being prepared, and then can be assembled swiftly by less skilled laborers, significantly accelerating the overall homebuilding process. Steel Framed Modular Housing has the same advantages with respect to decreasing the building cycle, and has less flammable content.
When entire subdivisions must be rebuilt, an On-Site House Factory could be established to build wall or floor panels, or modular homes. The home construction plant can be either a movable manufacturing facility, or can be planned into the subdivision's development mix, and re-commissioned as a community or day care center, office, loft, apartment, or condominium suites.
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Exterior Decks need no maintenance, do not crack, split, or warp, and are stronger and more durable than traditional decking. Traditional wood decking materials, both preservative-treated and naturally rot-resistant materials, have a life expectancy ranging from 10 to 20 years when maintained periodically with chemical sealants, whereas FRP decks are expected to last the life of the home. Normally, the installed cost of FRP decks is about double that of decks constructed with preservative treated wood, and about 50 percent more than redwood and cedar decks. However, due to the high demand for wood during this rebuilding process, this price differential might be significantly less.
Electrical
Electrical Raceways, commonly used in commercial buildings, are now available for residential applications. Electrical raceways can simplify and speed the task of wiring, and reduce wall penetrations that can compromise a building's thermal performance.
Plumbing
Reduce the time it takes to install the domestic water piping by installing a home run plumbing system using a Plastic Plumbing Manifold and Aluminum-Plastic Composite Water Piping. Manifold plumbing systems are control centers for hot and cold water that feed flexible supply lines to individual fixtures. Plastic manifolds together with flexible plastic piping can be quickly installed and offer installation-related cost advantages over conventional plumbing systems. The composite piping can be installed in walls, ceilings, concrete slabs and underground. The pipe's flexibility makes it easy to snake through wall studs and floor joists, and increases earthquake resistance.
Flexible Gas Piping is easier to install than traditional threaded black-iron piping because it is lightweight, easy to bend, and requires fewer connections and fittings than conventional piping. These benefits can speed installation and add up to substantial labor savings for builders. The flexibility of this piping also enhances its durability in earthquakes.
Air Admittance Valves (AAVs) eliminate the need for conventional pipe venting and roof penetrations. Manufacturers estimate a 25 percent to 75 percent reduction in the amount of venting materials needed for the system overall, so installation efficiency can be greatly increased. AAVs eliminate the need for lateral return vent runs that require cutting several holes through wall studs, or long runs of vertical piping that must pass through the ceilings, attic, and roof. AAVs can also eliminate the need for firestopping materials at floor/wall penetrations.
Additional Technologies to Consider:
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
Emerging PATH Technology offering benefits of: Energy Efficiency, Environmental Performance, Quality/Durability, and Safety/Disaster Mitigation. Currently incorporated in a PATH Field Evaluation or Demonstration.
Combination Steel/Wood Framing
Emerging PATH Technology offering benefits of: Affordability
Engineered Wood Wall Framing
Emerging PATH Technology offering benefits of: Environmental Performance, Quality/Durability, and Safety/Disaster Mitigation.
Fastenerless Steel Framing-Clinching
Emerging PATH Technology offering benefits of: Affordability and Quality/Durability.
Fiber-Cement Siding
Graduate PATH Technology offering benefits of: Affordability, Environmental Performance, and Quality/Durability. Currently incorporated in a PATH Field Evaluation or Demonstration.
Foundation Flood Vents
Mature PATH Technology offering benefits of: Safety/Disaster Mitigation.
High Wind- and Impact-Resistant Asphalt Roofing Shingles
Mature PATH Technology offering benefits of: Quality/Durability, and Safety/Disaster Mitigation.
Insulating Concrete Forms
Mature PATH Technology offering benefits of: Energy Efficiency, Environmental Performance, Quality/Durability, and Safety/Disaster Mitigation. Currently incorporated in a PATH Field Evaluation or Demonstration.
Manufactured Housing Disaster-Resistant Pier Systems
Emerging PATH Technology offering benefits of: Quality/Durability and Safety/Disaster Mitigation.
Manufactured Housing Ground Anchor Systems
Emerging PATH Technology offering benefits of: Quality/Durability and Safety/Disaster Mitigation.
Panelized Wall and Roof Systems
Mature PATH Technology offering benefits of: Energy Efficiency, Quality/Durability, and Safety/Disaster Mitigation. Currently incorporated in a PATH Field Evaluation or Demonstration
Pre-Cast Concrete Foundation Panels
Mature PATH Technology offering benefits of: Affordability and Quality/Durability.
Structural Insulated Panels
Mature PATH Technology offering benefits of: Energy Efficiency. Currently incorporated in a PATH Field Evaluation or Demonstration
MORE RECOMMENDATIONS
PATH recommends ways to repair and protect your existing home.
Cleaning up water damage? Read PATH recommendations for flood recovery.
Follow these practices for new construction.
Remodeling? Use the Rehab Advisor to learn how to save money on utility bills.
Resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Content updated on 5/21/2007
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