The Sunshine State is home to Disney World and beautiful beaches against the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters, but it’s also a prominent target of hurricanes. Tropical storms and hurricanes threaten Florida from June to November, making protection and preparedness an essential part of everyday life for residents. Due to the frequency and intensity of storms, Florida has one of the strictest building codes in the nation, addressing the need for hurricane-resistant structures.
The Florida Building Code (FBC) is strict, and compliance is necessary for optimal safety and survival. Part of this code mandates that hurricane shutters must meet state-mandated standards, protecting residences from significant hurricane damage. Codes are updated periodically to ensure homes are well-equipped with optimal barriers and defenses against life-threatening, property-damaging hurricanes. As storms have changed over the years the FBC has also adjusted to meet the new conditions.
Read on to learn more about compliance with the Florida Building Code, then contact Eurex Shutters for a list of FBC-certified shutters to protect your home from severe storm damage.
An Overview of Florida’s Hurricane Risk and Building Codes
Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State, known for its charming coastal towns, amusement parks, and warm year-round weather. However, because of its geographical location alongside both the Gulf of Mexico (on the west) and the Atlantic Ocean (on the east), the state is vulnerable to some of the most severe, dangerous hurricanes. As a result, Florida building codes have evolved to be more protective and offer more hurricane resistance to homes.
Florida is resilient. A state wide building code was adopted in Florida in 1974. And after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992 the building codes became much more strict. The FBC has changed to keep pace with storms, and as a result it has pushed for manufacturers to develop and builders to use the latest construction materials and storm protection technologies. These regulations ensure homes and businesses are well-protected in hurricane prone areas. On top of the FBC there are local regulations, such as the Miami-Dade Product Control requirements. These go above and beyond the FBC for those located in high-velocity hurricane zones like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.
What is Required by Florida’s Building Code for Storm Shutters?
The Florida Building Code highlights specific standards and requirements for storm shutters. Those that meet these standards and pass stringent testing are given Florida Product Approval. Products that meet Miami-Dade requirements are given Miami-Dade Product Control status (also sometimes called HVHZ approval).
The standards emphasize the need for products to have sufficient impact, wind and positive/negative pressure resistance. Every Florida Approved set of shutters must be able to endure the high-speed impacts of launched projectiles and extreme pressures that exist during a hurricane. As a result, every set of shutters must undergo hurricane simulation testing. This includes missile testing as well as pressure cycling testing.
Hurricane wind speeds can reach 170 miles per hour or, so shutters must remain structurally sound in the face of intense wind and impacts. While shutters can accumulate some damage, the overall structure must remain uncompromised and outlast the storm, keeping occupants safe inside the home.
For those building new homes or doing major renovations on their homes (ie: FEMA’s 50% rule), they must meet the use products that meet the current Florida Building Code.
Types of Storm Shutters that Comply with Florida’s Building Code Standards
At Eurex Shutters, we have multiple types of Florida Product Approved hurricane shutters available. All of them meet or exceed the latest Florida Building Code. You can choose hurricane shutters based on your personal preference and your home’s architecture. Some of our options of hurricane-rated shutters include:
- Accordion shutters—durable, folding shutters offering substantial protection with accessible, simple operation.
- Roll-down shutters—sleek and low-profile with motorized protection that can be remote-controlled or operated via a smartphone app.
- Bahama shutters—traditional with a tropical aesthetic, offering sunshade and hurricane protection with impact resistance.
- Colonial shutters—classics with optimized storm protection and manual deployment for hands-on preparation.
- Clear storm panels—made from impact-resistant polycarbonate with transparent panels to see the storm without experiencing the impact or danger.
Ensure your hurricane shutters meet the latest Florida Building Code regulations. Purchase tested and certified shutters from a reliable source like Eurex Shutters. We can help recommend new hurricane shutters to ensure compliance with FBC standards and offer the highest level of hurricane protection. If your home is in a high-velocity hurricane zone (HVHZ) like Miami-Dade or Broward counties (as well as other coastal counties that adopted Miami-Dade standards), be extra aware and attentive to select storm shutters designed to meet these requirements.
The Insurance Benefits of Installing Florida Building Code-Approved Shutters
Florida is considered a hurricane-prone state. Some areas are at higher risk than others. If the hurricanes over the last few years have proved anything, it is that inland areas of Florida are also becoming susceptible to hurricanes. In turn, hurricane protection is a must for Florida homeowners regardless of their location.
Most insurance companies recognize hurricane shutters as a protective element, so insurance companies offer premium discounts for hurricane-ready homes. Savings can be significant, as insurers view hurricane-prepared homes to have less risk for significant damage. Therefore, by installing Florida Building Code-approved shutters, you can protect your property while reducing annual insurance expenses, making hurricane shutters an intelligent safety and financial decision.
Hurricane shutters can also protect your home from more significant damage during a storm. This means your claims will be lower, or your out of pocket repairs costs will be lower. Homes without certified storm protection are likelier to suffer severe storm damage, leading to higher claim payouts and more significant deductibles and increases. By using hurricane shutters to reduce the likelihood of damage, you can avoid or minimize the financial burden of post-hurricane repairs or replacements. The savings from reduced premiums and deductibles (as well as out of pocket costs) can go toward something more substantial, like further fortification of your Florida home against natural disasters.
The Future of Storm Shutter Regulations in Florida
Florida hurricanes are a real and dangerous issue. Some have argued that the frequency and severity of hurricanes are getting more severe. Whether that is true or not, it is safe to say that hurricane protection is important. And as severe storms evolve, so does the Florida Building Code, incorporating stricter standards to offer better protection against severe weather conditions. Advances in material science and shutter technologies have begun offering better protection with less visual impact, made from thinner, more substantial, more durable materials to blend into a Florida home’s architecture until deployed.
The Florida Building Code pays for ongoing research into hurricane shutters and other means of home protection against severe storms. Homeowners can expect future advancements to reflect stricter, updated codes. And this will ensure properties across the state are better equipped to handle powerful storms.
Ensure your Florida home is hurricane-ready by installing Florida Building Code-approved shutters from Eurex Shutters. We offer various types of shutters designed to meet homeowners’ high expectations and the stringent requirements of the Sunshine State’s building codes. Contact Eurex Shutters to discuss your options!
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
External Sources:
- https://homesteady.com/list-6949767-florida-building-code-requirements-shutters.html
- https://www.howtolookatahouse.com/Blog/Entries/2021/6/does-hurricane-shutter-installation-require-a-building-permit-in-florida.html
- https://www.siegfriedrivera.com/blog/new-law-hurricane-protections-homeowners-associations/
