Portable classrooms strong enough for a Category 5 Hurricane

By:Isabel Mascareñas

Brooksville, Florida - Can your house withstand 186 mile per hour winds equal to a Category 5 hurricane? Royal Concrete Concepts out of West Palm Beach say their patented design can.

It's catching on with school districts on the east coast and now in the Bay area. School officials in Hernando county like how fast a single classroom can be ready, in just three weeks.

The district has purchased 5 units and have ordered about 16 more.

The white square buildings at the Star Education Center in Brooksville are called Concretables and just like the name says, the 6 inch thick walls and roof and 8 inch floors are made out of concrete and steel.

Bo Bavota, Facilities Dir., Hernando Schools:
"I think what the school district is looking at better bang for their buck. Concretables cost a little more than a portable be here 50, 100 years."

Jeff Wisinski works for the manufacturer Royal Concrete Concepts. They've built 1,700 concretable classrooms across the state and says more orders are coming in.

Jeff Wisinski, Royal Concrete Concepts, Inc.:
"These windows come with impact resistant glass eliminate need for shutters."

All electrical and plumbing is installed prior to the walls being casted. Ninety-five percent of the buildings are completed at the plant then delivered for final set up at the school site.

The buildings are rated for Category 5 hurricane winds up to 186 miles per hour.

Wisinski:
"About as strong as the pyramids... they've been around a long time."

Compared to a traditional school, a concretable school cost half as much at about $80 per square foot instead of $160. They're built in half the time -- 3 to 6 months instead of 12 months.

School principal John Shepherd likes the building's low maintenance and safety, he won't have to move students in bad weather.

John Shepherd, Principal, Star Education Center:
"I give these an A plus."

The company spokesperson says school districts such as Citrus, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota are interested in the concretable classrooms. Hardee and Desoto have already purchased some.

The West Palm Beach company also makes residential homes and offices.

Isabel Mascarenas, Tampa Bay's 10 News