Experts believe that the recent increase in the number of intense hurricanes-such as Rita and Katrina-experienced by the United States is but one indication that we are entering a 40 year cycle of more severe weather patterns.

Futurist Joseph F. Coates, in an article written for the American Society of Civil Engineers, states that if global warming proves to be real, one consequence — in addition to atmospheric change — will involve smarter building concepts and attempts to conserve energy, particularly the energy associated with heating and air-conditioning. As a result, he believes builders and consumers will seek new approaches to build safe, disaster-tolerant and energy-efficient housing, particularly designs that can withstand severe wind and weather and offer substantial monthly energy savings.

One such approach to construction involves an innovative, interlocking structural-insulated panel-building system called ACTech panels. It was created to respond to the needs of those who want to build a secure home quickly and cost-effectively in areas prone to harsh climates, such as coastal and desert regions, and that are vulnerable to extreme weather such as hurricanes, arctic cold or other weather-related phenomena.

Since houses can be quickly reconstructed on existing foundations, the technology offers an economical way to erect new structure or emergency shelters in locations suffering devastation by recent storms.

ACTech panels were designed to reduce time and labor costs often associated with many construction projects. They are used currently to build over 100 classrooms per month and recently allowed a crew of 10 workers, without construction background, to erect the structure of a new home in 16 hours.

The building system uses panels made of galvanized steel "skins" with a polyurethane insulating core. The class one urethane is injected as a liquid between the metal skins after the panels are integrated with structural stiffeners. Because ACTech panels are constructed in a way that's resistant to energy loss through conduction, the output of heating and cooling devices can be reduced by as much as 30 to 50 percent, resulting in significant monthly energy savings to the homeowner.

The systems manufacturer, Alternative Construction Company, Inc., is described as a leader in the production of galvanized steel structural-insulated panel systems used in the construction of residential, commercial and high-rise buildings.

The Company also manufactures patented in-house safe rooms compliant with FEMA specifications, designed for those who live in the path of potential weather disasters, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Its structures are said to withstand wind uplift speeds of 146 mph and safe room protection from wind up to 250 mph. They also meet or exceed some of the toughest building codes in North America levied by Miami/Dade County as a result of hurricane Andrew. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.actechpanel.com or call 800-859-8813.

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