Wind-borne debris is any scattered natural material or remains carried by the wind. Depending on the severity of the wind, the debris can cause serious property damage, injury and fatalities. That is why areas designated as wind-borne debris regions have specific building requirements to protect them from impact.
Where Does Wind-Borne Debris Occur?
This type of debris usually occurs in coastal or inland areas that are situated within one mile of coastal mean high water and can get windspeeds of 130 mph or higher. Any areas with windspeed higher than 140 mph are also designated as wind-borne debris regions by the Florida Building Code. Wind-borne debris regions experience greater property damage, injury or fatalities from flying and falling debris during a hurricane. The southeast region in Florida is one of the areas that are prone to wind-borne debris.
Wind-Borne Debris Impact Resistance
Hurricane Andrew of 1992 was a Category 5 hurricane with wind gusts as high as 177 mph, destroying over 25,000 homes and damaging 100,000. The damage that Andrew caused drove the need for building codes that prioritized hurricane protection. Windows and doors now have to be impact resistant to protect homes from wind-borne debris.
To ensure impact resistance, windows and doors have to go through a test that involves a 2-by-4 piece of wood being shot out of a cannon at a garage door three times or rigorous missile testing for glass windows. The tests aim to simulate hurricane conditions and determine whether materials can withstand them.
Florida Building Code now requires protection systems for properties located in these hurricane-prone regions. Protective measures include large missile impact-rated windows, doors and shutters with state approval. The strength and durability of impact-rated materials can help safeguard your home from the destruction caused by hurricanes.
Impact Rating
When your windows or garage doors have an impact rating, that means they have been laboratory tested to perform highly under extreme winds and pressure. An impact-rated garage can be hit by heavy materials and continue operating properly.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Coastal Palm Beach Counties are considered to be in a high-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) because this area in Florida has been designated by the state as more hurricane-prone than other locations. Building materials used in the HVHZ zone all need to be impact-rated. Ensuring your windows and doors are impact resistant is still encouraged for people living outside these areas.
Protection From Wind-Borne Debris
When you want to give your home the ultimate protection from extreme weather without compromising on aesthetic appeal, The Doorman has you covered. We offer a wide range of impact-resistant patio and garage doors from trusted leading manufacturers in the industry. As a full-service door company, we also do quality installations, repairs and maintenance to ensure your home is always protected during hurricane season.
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