The Original Vision for Digital Hazard Data
Since 2008, WindSpeedByZip has served as a cornerstone resource for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) community. Developed by Structural Engineers from Pennsylvania, the platform was born from a pivotal realization: the traditional methods of interpreting ASCE 7 paper maps were no longer sufficient for the speed and precision of modern design.
A 17-Year Journey of Innovation
- 2008: We debuted the first digital "By Zip" lookup for wind speeds, creating a novel solution to the manual interpolation of contour maps.
- The 2010s: As our user base grew to include thousands of daily professionals and national engineering organizations, the industry began to adopt the digital-first philosophy we pioneered.
- The Present: While institutional tools have emerged, our platform remains the independent choice for engineers who value the "Original Innovator" experience—tools built by practicing engineers, for practicing engineers.
Evolving with the ASCE 7 Standards
While we remain an independent platform, we recognize the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as the definitive authority governing design loads in the United States. Our mission has always been to provide the most accessible gateway to the codes they establish.
As the code has evolved, so has our logic:
- ASCE 7-05 to 7-10: Navigating the shift from "Nominal" to "Ultimate" wind speeds.
- ASCE 7-16: Integration of refined mapping for multiple Risk Categories.
- ASCE 7-22: Implementation of new digital geodatabase requirements and the groundbreaking Tornado Load provisions.
Why Independence Still Matters
- Legacy Data Access: We maintain historical continuity of the 2005, 2010, and 2016 standards—essential for forensic engineering and renovations.
- Speed of Design: A streamlined interface optimized for "preliminary checks" without administrative overhead.
- Pennsylvania Engineering Roots: Specialized expertise from a team that understands the weight of a signature on a calculation package.
