So you want to get a product approval
for your building product...
Let’s walk through the process.
But first, do you even need a product approval?
Check out this article which explains what products need approvals
OK, you've determined you want a Florida or Miami-Dade Product Approval...
What Next?
Step 1: The Discovery Phase
Here’s an example of work we collect for a larger building product project to give you an idea of what we need to continue
Our specialty is in door-window-skylight glazing, wall cladding, anchors, aluminum & steel building products, mechanical equipment & related products. See some of our Product Approvals
To engage with Engineering Express in creating a product approval for your building product, we start with a discovery phase.
This is a minimum block of time used to consult with you on the many items you will need to obtain testing and approval for your specific product.
Somewhere within this block of time, we’ll either know what it will take to quote the next phase, or, if the project grows, additional discovery time will be quoted.
You’ll be able to keep any resulting material we collect and organize for you in the event you don’t want to continue, or select another firm to assist.
Any unused time within this block is applied to the following phases.
Step 2: The Test Protocol / Design Phase
Once we’ve understand your need, collected needed parts & assemblies, and consulted on the use case, it’s time to create a test protocol.
Testing must be performed by an independent third party lab to recognized US standards and certified by their engineer for us to perform a product evaluation.
This phase is quoted as a fixed fee based on the information we collected.
We work with the test lab during testing to ensure a successful test and answer questions along the way.
Test criteria is based on the type of agency certification and limitations of use you’re looking for. Strong winds in the Keys? Top of a tall building? Attaching to concrete or wood? You get the idea.
Decision Time. Engineering Evaluation? Miami NOA? Florida Approval?
Before your rush into getting a product approval, consider the creation of an engineering performance evaluation.
These are individually sealed plans or reports that can be created by testing and/or design for use across the US where the building product does not mandate testing.
Consider an Engineering Evaluation For Our Plan Store First.
We’ll create a special version of your qualifying building product plan for purchase in our plan store.
Plans can be ordered for use in permitting & construction along with a design professional’s site-specific approval across the use.
We can even create an engineering plan for use while your product approval is being processed.
Visit Our Plan Store
OK, Florida Product Approval It Is. What You Need To Know
Step 3: We Create A Product Performance Evaluation
Part of our fixed fee quote includes creating an evaluation based on testing.
With the right test protocol, we can evaluate a product’s performance beyond its testing – using alternate anchors substrates, shim conditions, and a variety of other variations.
This Evaluation Report is reviewed with you and when approved, we concierge uploading the product to the State of Florida and handling comments & revisions.
Other Florida Approval Items You Need To Know
There are several other items you will need in order to obtain your Florida Approval. Engineering Express can help with obtaining each:
State Fees
The state of Florida charges a $500 fee for submitting a product to their directory.
BUT, this is per product sequence that’s submitted concurrently.
For example, if you submitted 3 window products, they would get an FL approval designation number, and a .1, .2, & .3 – That’s one fee.
If they are submitted at a different time, even within the same FL number, the fee would apply for the second submission as well.
Fees are renewed as the building code is renewed, along with our evaluation fee and validation fees.
We can include and pay this as part of your project with us.
Independent Product Evaluation
Each product submitted to the state needs independent validation by a third party. That party charges a fee for this service.
We can help coordinate & concierge this validation service and their fee for you.
Quality Assurance
All products included in the Florida Product Approval need to have a Quality Assurance (QA) program.
This program shall be provided by an authorized, third-party QA entity registered with the State of Florida.
The QA entity will perform a review of the manufacturing process of the included products.
Engineering Express can help create the QA process and help guide you to an approved quality assurance agency, but this service is independent of our control and contract.
Click here for a list of state QA agencies.
Renewal Fees
Our Evaluation Fees are per code cycle.
There is an additional fee charged to update products to the newer building code.
This fee can vary based on how many changes are in a building code that apply to your product.
These approvals get resubmitted under the new code and need to be validated for an additional fee as well.
Think of it like this – we get paid once to use our certification any number of times.
Texas TDI Approval?
We can also help create, certify, and submit a Texas version of your evaluation to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
Mention this during the discovery phase so we can create this as we evaluate your product.
Site Specific Project Fees
Product approvals are only general performance evaluations. They do not apply to any specific project.
Site-specific adaptation and approval of any performance evaluation is required to obtain a building permit and properly construct.
Any design professional (including Engineering Express) can provide site-specific project documents and calculations based off of your approved building product.
Start a quote for us to provide this service by clicking here.
Or Do You Want A Miami Dade NOA?
We have a helpful article in determining whether to obtain a Florida Approval, Miami NOA, or both.
Miami’s review process is more scruitinizing than Florida in that their engineers review and approve each evaluation.
They also serve as the quality assurance for the product, so those yearly fees are saved, but offset by their $4,000+ application fee.
Due to their extensive review process, Miami Approvals take considerably longer than Florida to obtain. For this reason, many clients start with an engineering evaluation while applying for Florida and Miami certification, so they maximize their chances of building department approval.
Want To Learn More About Miami Dade NOA's?
See this comprehensive list of Miami NOA Frequent Questions
Other Approval Considerations - ICC - IAPMO - UL - FM Approvals
Beyond the scope of this article, we can also assist you in obtaining product certification through many other accredited agencies.
This is a conversation we need to have more directly. Contact Us to discuss your needs.
Florida Local Approvals - One More Thing To Consider
Local approvals are custom, one-of-a-kind certifications created for building products that are unique in nature in Florida.
They’re governed by FS 553.8425, the rule to follow when creating one for a site-specific address.
While product approvals are for manufacturers, contractors may be able to use this resource to certify their custom product.
CREATING PRODUCT APPROVALS IS NOT FOR HOMEOWNERS.
Where To Find More Information
SEARCH PRODUCT APPROVALS
Smart Search All Florida & Miami-Dade Product Approvals & Create Your Perfect Design
This directory service is another Innovation of Engineering Express
Also Visit
These are spinoff sites also created & maintained by Engineering Express
Or Search Our Product Approval Knowledge Base
Browse this special subsection of our vast building products knowledge base