ASCE 7-22 includes a first-ever chapter for Tornado Loads (Chapter 32). This affects Risk Category III and IV structures in tornado-prone regions.
ASCE 7 is the nationally-adopted standard that prescribes the minimum design loads for buildings and other structures. It serves as an integral part of building codes across the United States and is referenced by the International Building Code (IBC). As explained in the standard's summary, it provides "the most up-to-date and coordinated loading provisions for general structural design". The 2022 edition updates and supersedes the previous 2016 version (ASCE 7-16).
One of the most direct and important connections between portable structures and ASCE 7‑22 is found in the standard’s system. ASCE 7‑22 classifies structures into four categories—I through IV—based on the potential hazard to human life and public welfare in the event of failure. For most portable and temporary buildings, Risk Category I is the appropriate choice:
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Portable and temporary structures occupy a distinct regulatory space between permanent civil buildings and specialized commercial equipment.
This is the heart of the matter. A portable structure behaves differently than a permanent building because it has gaps, tow bars, exposed chassis, and—critically—no rigid connection to the earth.
Because the Hazard Tool is web‑based, it is inherently portable—accessible from any device with internet connectivity. This capability is a game‑changer for engineers who need to validate a design or reassess hazard levels while away from the main office. ASCE 7-22 includes a first-ever chapter for Tornado
The concept of “ASCE 7‑22 portable” is multi‑layered. It includes official PDF and AMPLIFY access that puts the entire standard on up to four devices, interactive tools like the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool that deliver site‑specific data from any location, and a growing ecosystem of stand‑alone software that computes wind loads and seismic spectra on the fly. It also encompasses the standard’s own guidance for designing portable and non‑building structures, ensuring that even temporary or mobile facilities meet modern resilience requirements.
Many temporary structures sit on raised blocks or piers to match vehicle loading docks or level out uneven ground. ASCE 7-22 includes refined pressure coefficients for structures with open spaces underneath, accounting for under-floor wind pressures that create upward vertical lift. Seismic Design and Default Site Class Changes
ASCE 7-22, the latest iteration of the , does not contain a single "portable" section. Instead, requirements for portable structures and equipment are integrated throughout several chapters based on how the item is classified: as a temporary structure , a nonstructural component , or a nonbuilding structure . Classification & Design Requirements It serves as an integral part of building
The standard also addresses (Chapter 13) and non‑building structures similar to buildings (Chapter 15), both of which are directly relevant to portable and prefabricated systems.
Because ASCE 7‑22 itself does not yet contain specific temporary‑structure provisions, designers often turn to other documents that do. The has approved a new section, 3103 Temporary Structures , which directly addresses wind loads in a manner compatible with ASCE 7’s framework. This section permits reduction factors for wind loads on temporary structures.