Construction Safety for Hurricane Preparedness
For those who live in coastal areas that are prone to hurricanes or hurricane force winds, there are several safety factors that must be considered when building or remodeling a home or other structure. In 1994, two years after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida, Miami-Dade County began establishing building codes specifically focused on improving the structural integrity of new buildings to reduce hurricane damage. Today, these building codes and regulations have been widely adopted in other hurricane areas and are considered the “holy grail” of hurricane protection and safety.
The Miami-Dade Office of Building Code Enforcement’s Product Control Section was tasked with evaluating and certifying specific building materials as compliant with hurricane force winds. Since then, this organization has become the authoritative source for establishing hurricane-safe building products and materials. Many companies that manufacture building materials, particularly hurricane shutters and shutter hardware, strive to comply with Miami-Dade County compliance codes. However, it is important for consumers to remember that not all products meet Miami-Dade’s criteria. Before purchasing construction items, consumers should remember several important things.
If a product has been tested and approved, it will bear the “Miami-Dade County Produce Control Approved” stamp. Please note that this approval applies to a specific product design. If the manufacturer later changes the design of the product, it may no longer be approved, which means you would have to go through the testing and certification process again. When it comes to functional hurricane shutters, there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when purchasing Miami-Dade approved products.
The material from which the blinds are made is essential. Hardwoods, depending on their density, are considered the best material for functional hurricane shutters, according to criteria established by the Miami-Dade Office of Building Code Enforcement. The code divides hardwoods into several categories, including medium heavy, heavy, very heavy, and the strongest category called “ironwood.” Woods classified as “ironwood” will actually sink in water.
Softwoods such as pine, fir, larch, Douglas fir, and hemlock are considered less than optimal for functional hurricane shutters and are generally not recommended.
There are some hurricane shutters on the market made of composite materials, usually containing resin-based plastic components such as ABS and nylon. These composite shutters generally pass Miami-Dade code compliance tests with flying colors.
Metal shutters can be found and are usually inexpensive to purchase; however, they are generally considered a last resort, or something that can be quickly installed if a hurricane approaches and there isn’t time for a more sophisticated blind system.
Shade hardware will also be classified as compliant or non-compliant with Miami-Dade building codes. Again, the same basic guidelines apply: a seal of approval only applies to the specific product design that has been tested and certified. If a manufacturer changes the design later, the product is no longer compliant until it is retested.
For the most part, Miami-Dade building codes regarding shutter hardware will address the type of metal used in the hardware. The importance lies in using good quality metal that will not chip or break easily. Molten aluminum and molten zinc should be avoided. Steel is considered the best material to use, and stainless steel tops the list as the best quality product. Stainless steel has good tensile strength and the material will not rust or tarnish when exposed to the saline conditions that prevail in hurricane-prone coastal areas. Cut and formed carbon steel is also a good choice because it is very strong; however, this steel will rust and deteriorate rapidly when exposed to salty conditions.
If you are considering buying a home that is in a hurricane zone, be sure to ask your real estate agent if the structure meets the Miami-Dade building code. If you already live in one of these areas and are preparing to remodel or perhaps build a new home, check with your contractor about building codes and make sure he or she is prepared to build in compliance with Miami-Dade. county regulations. Hurricane force winds will quickly damage property and claim lives. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to heed warnings, but also to make sure your home is well-constructed and has functional exterior blinds that meet Miami-Dade standards.
