The protection of windows and glass doors from flying debris is one of the most basic and effective means of reducing losses in a windstorm. Opening protection refers to products that provide a level of impact resistance from flying debris in a windstorm. The amount of impact resistance is determined by impact tests at a special laboratory.

Various test standards have been developed to qualify products for a high level of impact resistance. Most insurance companies offer discounts for shutter or impact resistant glass products that have passed a large missile impact test. Note that all glazed openings (i.e. windows, skylights and doors with glass) must be protected for you to receive an insurance discount. Some companies offer additional discounts if all openings, including doors without glass, also meet the impact test standards.

The Florida Building Code allows certain wood structural panels with proper fasteners to be used for opening protection in all counties except Miami-Dade and Broward. This is generally the least expensive way to shutter a home, but this type of shutter is not always accepted by insurance companies.

New Homes

The Florida Building Code includes a wind-borne debris region that requires consideration of flying debris in the design of all new homes. Within this region, homes must have opening protection to resist flying debris or be designed for higher "internal pressures" that result when flying debris breaks a window. The insurance discounts are much greater for homes that have opening protection for flying debris. In Miami-Dade and Broward Counties , builders are required to protect all openings from flying debris and, hence, the higher "internal pressure" design option cannot be used in those counties.

Existing Homes

Existing homes in Central Florida Counties built after 2002 should have opening protection that will qualify for significant credits. Existing homes that have impact resistant shutters will also qualify for insurance discounts. Retrofitting an Existing Home for Opening Protection.

Protecting the openings of a house provides improved protection from windstorms and should be considered by all homeowners. The insurance discounts over many years can help offset the costs. Make sure that the opening protection meets the test standards in the Florida Building Code.

There are essentially two ways to protect an opening from wind-borne impact:

 

1. Replace the window or glass door with a product designed and tested to meet impact requirements.
2. Cover the "old" window or glass door with an external protection device - generally called a shutter. Protecting the openings of a house provides improved protection from windstorms and should be considered by all homeowners. The insurance discounts over many years can help offset the costs. Make sure that the opening protection meets the test standards in the Florida Building Code.

Hurricane Level Protection

The only way to determine if a product can withstand wind borne debris impacts is through testing in a laboratory. Therefore, verification of impact resistance in the field must rely on review of documentation and labeling of products that have been tested in the laboratory. Shutter products that have been tested will usually have labels or stamps embossed on the shutter that indicate they pass one of the following standards.Miami-Dade PAS 201, 202 and 203 (verified through a Dade County Notice of Acceptance)

SSTD 12-97 (verified with documentation that the product has passed this test)

ASTM E 1996 9-pound missile (verified with documentation)