Cyclone Season is here -- Is your Shed ShedSafeTM Accredited?

When cyclone season comes, the coasts can be hit hard. From November to April, our country braces for the possibility of these storms and already meteorologists are predicting the first of them. Of course, not all cyclones are devastating, but even the least of them can cause damage to property, so it pays to be prepared.  

If you are in the market for a new garage or shed, you'll want it to have the structural integrity to handle all but the most catastrophic of events -- and it wouldn't hurt if it was able to withstand those, either. But how can you ensure that your shed or garage won't be destroyed when this year's cyclones blow in? One of the best ways is to get a structure that is ShedSafe^TM accredited. 

ShedSafe^TM accreditation is a standard for steel structures that was put in place as a direct result of the devastation caused by Cyclone Larry in 2006. After the storm receded, it became obvious to those in the industry that a great deal of the damage could have been avoided if outbuildings had been up to code. And consumers could hardly be faulted -- as the market stood at the time, there was no simple industry standard of safety. People would have had to parse a complex coding system in order to find a structure that was up to snuff, and not everyone, as it happens, is an engineer. 

By setting a standard of safety for these structures, the Australian Steel Institute made it easier for consumers to find quality products and for companies to have solid guidelines. The ShedSafe^TM designation is granted by a third-party evaluation, so you know that the company that has it is offering quality. 

When you purchase a structure that is not ShedSafe^TM accredited, you are taking an unnecessary risk for what probably amounts to a relatively small difference in cost. Investing in a solid structure saves you money in the long run by helping you avoid the following negative consequences:

• Physical injury and associated healthcare costs 
• Damage to possessions within the structure and replacement costs (car, lawnmower, sport equipment, etc.)
•  Damage to structure and surrounding buildings (the roof might cave in or steel beams fly in different directions during a cyclone) and repair costs

When the cyclone winds blow, it's important to know that your buildings are as structurally sound as possible. Rather than risking damage and injury, it makes sense to invest in a ShedSafe^TM accredited product from the start.