What does "wind load" refer to in the North Carolina Residential Code?

"Wind load" in the context of the North Carolina Residential Code specifically refers to the pressure exerted by wind on buildings. This pressure is a crucial factor in structural design, as it influences how a building must be engineered to withstand the forces of nature, particularly in areas that may experience high winds during storms or other weather events.

Understanding wind load is essential for ensuring that buildings maintain their integrity and safety. The code provides guidelines that dictate how much wind load various structures might need to withstand, based on factors such as geographic location and building height. This is necessary for making informed decisions about materials, design, and overall construction methods to mitigate the potential negative impacts of wind forces on a structure.

While other options may reference aspects of weather, they do not pertain to the structural requirements and considerations directly related to wind forces acting on buildings, which is the primary concern addressed by wind load in building codes.