ANSI/AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S. 2-97
Are the considered hurricane rated windows?
You need a product approval number to look it up, did you take pictures of the data labels?
Here is where you can research it:
https://www.floridabuilding.org/pr/pr_app_srch.aspx
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Not impact rated
4091.1
40314.1 Limits of Use
Approved for use in HVHZ: No
Approved for use outside HVHZ: Yes
Impact Resistant: No
4091.2
Limits of Use
Approved for use in HVHZ: Yes
Approved for use outside HVHZ: Yes
Impact Resistant: No
4091.3
Limits of Use
Approved for use in HVHZ: No
Approved for use outside HVHZ: Yes
Impact Resistant: No
4091.4 & 4091.5 basically the same
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Now that is answered, I have an additional question for this topic.
My sister lives in Florida. Her windows were not impact resistant when she purchased the home. She has also not had them upgraded. A company offers a film that can be applied that upgrades the windows to impact resistant. She had this installed and has passed her wind mit since. She does cover the windows with 3/4" plywood anytime there is an impending hurricane. In theory, the film will never be truly tested.
So, was she sold snake oil or does the film really work? Did the inspector do their job correctly by considering them impact resistance?
Also, in a case like this, how would the inspector know?
Window film has never been approved for impact & wind pressure resistance. I remember getting screamed at once 'cause the owner spent tons of $$ for the application. I rated the “glazed openings” no protection.
Is the home in the HVHZ (high velocity hurricane zone), Miami-Dade & Broward counties?
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So just to be clear, these are not impact rated windows. They have corrugated metal shutters. Now those are considered within the wind mitigation if I remember correctly right? I missed the imprint on the shutters cuz they were engraved into the metal and did not stand out at all. I will need to go back and we look at them to get that information off. I missed it the first time. But I just want to make sure that those windows are not impact windows and at least then I can go with the shutters and hopefully that will help. Thank you very much I appreciate this forum a lot. I don’t do enough to become an expert but I really try hard to learn as much as I can all the time. All I do is listen to the videos and read. But there’s nothing like doing for getting it more perfected.
Hey Jeff here’s part of a web page from Disaster Smart, owner & INachi member Darius Grimes. He was my boss during the first My Safe Florida Home project.
Doesn’t window film do the same thing?
NO! Window film, also called safety & security window film, is not an approved substitute for hurricane window protection, it can, however, add an extra layer of security to your glass.
Window film CAN NOT pass the impact & cycling test.
Did you know?: In the section state of Florida, per statute 718 Section 113, it punishable by fine to advertise, promote, or sale window film as hurricane protection.
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Thanks for the responses. She is located near Tampa.
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Tampa isn’t a HVHZ, but it’s a wind borne debris zone. The window film doesn’t help the rating but it does help protect the home more than not having it.
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The lable in the photo is for the frame only. A frame may be impact rated while the glass itself is not. Usually that lable will have TAS 201,202,203 or an ASTM E ( cant remember off the top of my head 1886?) Or say large missile impact. You can also plug in the approval number on the lable into the FBC for further verification. The glass itself should have an etching on it such as MDCA LSG, DCA LSG, and will Usually say laminated safety glass or heat strengthened. Heat strengthened does not always mean impact rated. The etching will be in a corner and sometimes difficult to see. Holding a flashlight at an angle can help. The main thing is to not rely on the frame lable for verification unless you are certain that the glass itself is rated. Once you have done this long enough you will be able to tell if they are impact from your truck or at least it will get easier.
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The windows are not very solid sounding. They do have very good metal shutters. Large missle rated.
As long as every window has the metal shutters, they get the exact same rating as if they had impact windows. Either way, it would be in the “A” category, based on whether or not there are non-glazed openings.
(A.1, A.2, or A.3)
Nobody does impact windows AND impact shutters. Its one or the other, but the same rating.
If every window has plywood protection, (as in, pre-cut, and ready to fasten with pre-drilled holes)
she will get a discount. I dont think its as good a discount as hurricane rated shutters, but still a discount.
And FWIW, the wind mitigation isnt a “pass/fail”. It is merely used for discounts.
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This is where she is probably getting the discount. Everything is pre-cut, holes & hardware installed, and labeled.
Thanks for your input. It’s just for my own knowledge. I spend a significant part of my year being deployed to perform FEMA inspections. I am always surprised by how people do not cover their windows when there is an impending hurricane. I hardly ever hear anything about Wind mit, It’s always about flood insurance.
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There is no discount for the plywood section as far as I have been informed by agents I work with. You will only receive a discount for A1,2, and 3. A1 is required if you are in the HVHZ. Some insurance companies will only provide a discount for A1 ( TIP TAP and Kin i think). Most insurance companies outside of the HVHZ Have the exact same discount for A1,2,and 3. The older style metal storm panels also do not count for the discount. They should have an etching in the metal if they are rated, but sometimes it will only have the manufacturer sticker.
It would be classified under a “C” rating, instead of “A”
Whether or not companies give a discount for it is unknown to me.
As far as older metal storm panels, you are correct, they must have either etching or a label to qualify.
Also, when you were asking about whether the glass was impact rated, you can tell right away just by tapping it. If it sounds like a wind shield on either side of the window, then I look for the etching or the sticker.
If it does not sound like impact, then dont waste your time even looking any further, because it wont be.
Try a laser beam for how man reflections you see
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How do you interpret the reflections?