Wind Ratings
When it’s time to choose a data center partner, Wind Ratings may not be the first phrase that comes to mind. Yet it’s critically important to consider a structure’s ability to withstand high winds from tornadoes, hurricanes or microbursts.
According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the following categories are applied to storms with sustained winds of the following speeds:
| Category | Sustained Winds | Impact |
| 1 | 74-95 mph | Dangerous winds; property damage; power outages lasting days to weeks |
| 2 | 96-110 mph | Extremely dangerous winds; extensive property damage; near-total power outages lasting days to weeks |
| 3 (major) | 111-129 mph | Devastating damage; utility outages lasting weeks to months |
| 4 (major) | 130-156 mph | Catastrophic damage; largely uninhabitable for weeks to months |
The most resilient structures follow the Miami-Dade wind rating, named for the hurricane-resistant standards outlined in the Florida Building Code. For structures in Risk Category III, construction must be engineered to withstand winds up to 185 mph.
