Opening Protection

The protection of windows and glass doors from flying debris is one of the most basic and effective means of reducing losses in a windstorm. Opening protection refers to products that provide a level of impact resistance from flying debris in a windstorm. The amount of impact resistance is determined by impact tests at a special laboratory.

Various test standards have been developed to qualify products for a high level of impact resistance.
Most insurance companies offer discounts for shutter or impact resistant glass products that have passed a large missile impact test. Note that all glazed openings (i.e. windows, skylights and doors with glass) must be protected for you to receive an insurance discount. Some companies offer additional discounts if all openings, including doors without glass, also meet the impact test standards.

The Florida Building Code allows certain wood structural panels with proper fasteners to be used for opening protection in all counties except Miami-Dade and Broward. This is generally the least expensive way to shutter a home, but this type of shutter is not always accepted by insurance companies.

Wind Speed Map of Florida New Homes

The Florida Building Code includes a wind-borne debris region that requires consideration of flying debris in the design of all new homes. Within this region, homes must have opening protection to resist flying debris or be designed for higher "internal pressures" that result when flying debris breaks a window. The insurance discounts are much greater for homes that have opening protection for flying debris. In Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, builders are required to protect all openings from flying debris and, hence, the higher "internal pressure" design option cannot be used in those counties.

Existing Homes

Existing homes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties built after 1994 should have opening protection that will qualify for significant credits. Existing homes that have impact resistant shutters will also qualify for insurance discounts. Some of the older shutter products will not likely qualify for impact resistant opening protection. However, some insurance companies will provide a lesser credit for non-impact resistant products.

Retrofitting an Existing Home for Opening Protection.

Protecting the openings of a house provides improved protection from windstorms and should be considered by all homeowners. The insurance discounts over many years can help offset the costs. Make sure that the opening protection meets the test standards in the Florida Building Code.

There are essentially two ways to protect an opening from wind-borne impact:

1. Replace the window or glass door with a product designed and tested to meet impact requirements.
2. Cover the "old" window or glass door with an external protection device - generally called a shutter.

Verification of Impact Test Standards

Hurricane Level Protection

The only way to determine if a product can withstand wind borne debris impacts is through testing in a laboratory. Therefore, verification of impact resistance in the field must rely on review of documentation and labeling of products that have been tested in the laboratory. Shutter products that have been tested will usually have labels or stamps embossed on the shutter that indicate they pass one of the following standards.

Miami-Dade PAS 201, 202 and 203 (verified through a Dade County Notice of Acceptance)
SSTD 12-97 (verified with documentation that the product has passed this test)
ASTM E 1996 9-pound missile (verified with documentation)

Air Cannon (left) used to launch missile at shutter
specimen (below). Click shutter photo for video of test.

Most insurance companies will require documentation from the manufacturer that attests to this testing standard.

Basic Level Protection

All glass openings are protected with a shutter or impact resistant glazing that meets the ASTM E 1996, 4.5-pound missile test. Most insurance companies will require documentation from the manufacturer that attests to this testing standard.

Ordinary Level Protection

Some companies offer credits when all glass openings are protected with a shutter that does NOT meet the impact resistant standards listed above. The requirements from each insurance company will vary, but typically require certification that the product was designed for a certain wind pressure or has certain features that can be verified by a qualified inspector.