Flying Debris Demo
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Click on photo to view an actual impact video |
Miami-Dade County has the strictest test protocols in the country for wind-borne debris, air and water tests. The Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for impact-resistant products is the best way to be sure that a window has been tested and meets all the requirements for hurricane protection in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (Miami-Dade and Broward counties). The Florida Building Commission recognizes Miami-Dade NOAs as approved products. WinGuard with aluminum frames carries Miami-Dade approval on all products.
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The Process
Here’s how the Miami-Dade County product approval process works:
- Windows and doors send to an approved lab where each is tested for air and water leakage, structural pressure, forced entry and impact resistance.
- Two impacts are conducted on each window and three on each door. (Two out of three windows also get a structural impact.)
- Then with no repairs or adjustments, the impacted windows are subjected 9,000 cycles of positive and negative wind loads to certify that the product can still survive hurricane-force winds.
- This entire process is videotaped.
- The videotape, test report, drawings and accompanying engineering data are submitted to Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office, Product Control Divisions, for review by a licensed engineer.
- After approval, a recommendation is sent to the Building Code and Product Review Committee for final approval and a Notice of Acceptance is issued.
The Impact Test
The High Velocity Hurricane Zone section of the Florida Building Code requires that every exterior opening – residential or commercial – be provided with protection against wind-borne debris caused by hurricanes. Such protection could be shutters or impact-resistant products.
There are two types of impact-resistant products: large-missile resistant and small-missile resistant.
Large-missile resistant
A product is declared large-missile resistant after it has been exposed to various impacts with a piece of lumber weighing approximately 9 pounds, measuring 2” x 4” x 6’ in size, traveling at a speed of 50 feet per second (34 mph). The product must pass positive and negative wind loads for 9,000 cycles, with impact creating no hole larger than 1/16” x 5” in the interlayer of the glass.
Small-missile resistant
A product is declared small-missile resistant after it has been exposed to various impacts with 10 ball bearings traveling at a speed of 80 feet per second (50 mph). The product is then subjected to wind loads for 9,000 cycles.
Which Product is Required?
In a structure where doors and windows are located 30 feet or less from ground level, you must install products that are large-missile impact resistant. Where doors and windows are located more than 30 feet above ground level, you may install products that are either large-missile resistant or small-missile resistant. WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors with aluminum frames have Miami-Dade County product approval for both large- and small-missile resistance.
Source: The Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office
WinGuard Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors with vinyl frames pass ASTM E1886/E1996 (Missile Class D) for large missile impact resistance.
NOTE: The Florida State Product Approval System accepts Miami-Dade and ASTM test protocols for its approval process. International Building Codes accepts ASTM test protocols for its approval process.
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