An emergency signaling system is disclosed. The system includes a receptacle and a painting device. The painting device is covered in a paint material and stored in the receptacle. The receptacle can be used to launch the painting device onto a surface, such as a roof, in the event that a user needs to signal a search and rescue team or anyone near their present location. The painting device, upon contact with a surface, creates a painted signal. The painted signal can have different shapes according to the shape of the painting device. The painting device can include weight members or flexible frame members to facilitate opening the painting device from a closed or folded configuration to a fully open configuration once the painting device has been launched from the receptacle.

A control system acquires predicted tsunami information, and generates a flight plan for unmanned aerial vehicles. The flight plan includes flight paths along safety boundaries between an expected damage area and a safe area. The expected damage is an area expected to be damaged by the tsunami indicated by the predicted tsunami information. The safe area is an area to be safe from damage caused by the tsunami. The control system transmits the flight plan to the unmanned aerial vehicles.

A column bracket assembly is provided. The column bracket assembly comprises a bottom base bracket and a top base bracket, each including a bracket body adapted to receive an end of support element (e.g. a wooden column) and a mounting bracket/plate pivotally coupled to the bracket body and adapted to be coupled to a structural element (e.g. a footing, pile, header, beam etc.). The column bracket assembly optionally includes mounting brackets for installing cross brace brackets and/or tension rods to the bracket bodies. A method of installing the column bracket assembly, and a method of repairing, resettling, shoring, and/or leveling a structure with the column bracket assembly are also provided, along with structures comprising the column bracket assembly.

A transportable shelter includes a frame, an inner liner, and an outer liner. A plurality of interconnecting members of the frame are connected to create a fixed structural element, at least one end structural element, and a plurality of purlin portions. The purlin portions attach the fixed structural element to a first end structural element. The fixed structural element has a first inner track and a first outer track, and the first end structural element has a second inner track and a second outer track. The inner liner attaches to the first and second inner tracks, and the outer panel attaches to the first and second outer tracks. A dead-air space exists between the inner liner and the outer panel when the frame is assembled and the inner liner and the outer panel are connected to both the fixed structural element and the first end structural element.

A flood-resistant building is equipped with a flood barrier which enables safe and long-term refuge during floods. In a site surrounding a building, a flood barrier is constructed which encloses nearly the entire periphery of the building. An opening sealing means is connected to an entrance hall and another section serving as an entrance and exit at normal times. The opening sealing means seals the openings of these sections in a watertight manner where the openings are sealed via the opening sealing means. The flood barrier is watertight and at least as tall as the inundation depth estimated to occur in a target area when flooding or storm surges arise. In order to enable long-term refuge, an emergency-use water receiving tank 4 and an emergency-use generator are installed on the roof of the building, and an emergency-use septic tank is installed underground on the site.

A customizable storm protection system for protection and aesthetics comprises a first jamb, a second jamb, a header, and a sill, each with a glazing recess, and each with a receptacle for inserting a screw boss that runs a length of each of the first jamb, the second jamb, the header, and the sill, wherein joined define a frame for the opening in a building. A customizable storm protection system may further comprise glazing received by the glazing recess of each of the first jamb, the second jamb, the header, and the sill. A customizable storm protection system may further comprise a storm track configured to the frame to, wherein the storm track identifies fastener locations for the screw boss within the frame, and wherein the storm track comprises a cap, a stanchion, and an attachment layer for attachment to the frame. The system enables different openings in a building to be individually customized for different types of storm protection while maintaining a uniform exterior appearance.

A shearwall is disclosed for use in lightweight or other constructions to transmit lateral shear forces and dissipate energy on the construction. In examples, the shearwall includes a central panel formed of wood, and side plates formed of steel. The side plates may be affixed at lower corners of first and second opposed surfaces of the central panel. Each side plate may include a fastening plate for affixing the side plate to the central panel, and a restraint plate which fits within a reduced area section of the central panel between the first and second surfaces.

Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for generating a base-line probable roof loss confidence score. More particularly, apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for generating a base-line probable roof loss confidence score based on hail data. The apparatuses, systems and methods may generate a probable roof loss confidence score. The apparatuses, systems and methods may generate verified probable roof loss confidence score data. The apparatuses, systems and methods may generate property insurance underwriting data based on probable roof loss confidence score data. The apparatuses, systems and methods may generate property insurance claims data based on probable roof loss confidence score data. The apparatuses, systems and methods may generate property insurance loss mitigation data based on probable roof loss confidence score data.

A lightning strike alarm system using a Bipolar Conventional Air Terminal comprises a sensor electrically connected to a rod element electrified by a ground charge and an electrification plate-cone or an electrification plate-tube electrified by a thunderstorm cloud, and configured to measure electric energy induced in the electrification plate-cone or the electrification plate-tube; and a controller configured to determine that the thunderstorm cloud has approached when the electrical energy is greater than a reference energy; and an alarm device configured to output an alarm signal, based on a result of determining that the thunderstorm cloud has approached, wherein the sensor comprises: a luminescence unit, including a voltage stabilizer preventing induction of a high voltage due to the thunderstorm cloud, configured to emit light by the electric energy; and a light receiver configured to receive the light, convert the light to electric energy, and transfer the electric energy to the controller.