Window Wind Load

HVHZ Wind Load Requirements: Miami-Dade & Broward County

The High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) includes Miami-Dade County and Broward County. This zone has the most stringent building code requirements in the United States for wind resistance, established after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

HVHZ vs. Rest of Florida

Requirement	HVHZ	Rest of Florida
Product Approval	Miami-Dade NOA required	FL Product Approval accepted
Impact Testing	Large missile (9 lb 2x4 at 50 fps)	Large missile in WBDR, small missile elsewhere
Design Wind Speeds	170-185+ mph	130-175 mph (varies)
Inspections	More rigorous, NOA verified on-site	Standard FL building inspection

Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA)

NOAs have expiration dates and must be current at time of installation
Covers specific product sizes, glass types, and installation methods
Lists tested design pressure ratings
Includes required installation details that must be followed exactly

Impact Protection in the HVHZ

Impact-Rated Products - Laminated glass windows and doors that resist large missile impact.
Hurricane Shutters - Accordion, roll-down, panel, Bahama, or colonial shutters with their own NOA.

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