Impact Protection

About Impact Requirements For Mechanical Equipment in the Florida Building Code & For Essential Facilities

Mechanical Equipment – Does It Need To Qualify For Large Missile Impact? Questions frequently arise as to what the rule is in Florida, Miami, and the HVHZ zone (Dade and Broward Counties, FL) under the Florida Building Code (FBC) for impact rating on mechanical equipment. The answer also has similar references in the International Building …

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What are The Span Limitations of Large Missile Impact Doors – Windows – Shutters?

A Frequent question is what are the span, height, pressure, and installation limitations for large & small missile impact products. The following takes into consideration the Florida Building Code  8th Edition (2023) limitations for designing & installing operable and non-operable windows/glass doors & impact protection devices. For Operable Windows & Glass Doors Inside the HVHZ …

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Large Missile Impact Hit - Engineering Express

About ASTM E1996 Missile Levels

Overview of Missile Impact Levels As of the 2023 Florida Building Code & 2021 International Building Code, ASTM E1996-17 is the adopted reference standard. The title is ‘Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, & Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes’. (Exterior garage doors & rolling doors are covered …

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What are the requirements for using ASTM Missile Level E in Florida and the US?

About Large Missile Impact Level ‘E’ ASTM publishes ASTM E1996, Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes. This standard is referenced in both the IBC (International Building Code and FBC (Florida Building Code) which governs use throughout the US. Florida is of …

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Is a large missile impact window or door automatically approved for small missile impact?

Overview Changes to the 2020 Florida Building Code for Porous Impact Protection Devices Porous Impact Protective Systems: ASTM E1996-12A brought a significant change to Porous Impact Protective Systems (PIPS). A Porous Impact Protective System is defined as “An assembly whose aggregate open area exceeds 10% of its projected surface area”. Prior to ASTM E1996-12A, any …

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ASD vs LRFD Explained

Should a professional utilize the ASD (Allowable Stress Design) method or the LRFD (Load Resistance Factored Design) method when calculating the required wind pressure for use with tested-approved systems?

What’s The Difference Between ASD & LRFD Design? Put in layman’s terms, think of a wood plank designed to stretch between two supports. You’re going to walk across the piece of wood. The person that designed that plank needed to figure out if it will hold you. They had two options when designing: 1) Reduce …

Should a professional utilize the ASD (Allowable Stress Design) method or the LRFD (Load Resistance Factored Design) method when calculating the required wind pressure for use with tested-approved systems? Read More »

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