South Carolina Lab Tests Homes in Wind, Hail

Property and casualty insurers are hoping a new facility coming to South Carolina will do for home building what crash-test dummies have done for car safety.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety announced a $27 million research facility in Chester County that will allow scientists to see exactly what winds from a Category 3 hurricane do to a 1,800 square-foot, two-story home.

Researchers also will look at the impact of hail and wind-blown fire on home construction.

The Insurance Center for Building Safety lab will be big enough to hold a full house and is expected to be up and running in two years. The goal of the research will be to help minimize damages.