Installation of windows in Florida – what should you know? Florida Building Code in a nutshell

Warm climate? Beautiful beaches? Numerous amusement parks? Florida has it all! Unfortunately, the attractive location of this sunny state also has its consequences, because of that Florida is also known for its strict building code, initiated by Hurricane Andrew and its disastrous aftermath. To make sure that you are secure in both money and safety aspects, you should read the latest Florida Building Code before starting any construction or renovation work, in the meantime, we’ll walk you through the basics.

After reading this article you will know:

Florida Building Code – what is it?

Florida Building Code (FBC) –  the building standards for all buildings constructed in Florida, they are developed by the Florida Building Commission and updated every 3 years. The Code contains minimum requirements for permits, architectural plan revisions, and inspections, however, local jurisdictions may adopt additional administrative requirements that are more stringent. Regional amendments are subject to the criteria outlined in the Florida Statutes section. 

The FBC is based on the International Building Code (IBC), which in this case is modified to suit the specific needs of the state of Florida, such as hurricane protection guidelines for the Hurricane High-Velocity Zone.

The Florida Building Code consists of 9 main volumes:

volumes of florida building code 2020

We divide Florida into 4 Wind Zones::

  • Wind Zone 1: 130 mph ≤ basic design wind speed <140 mph
  • Wind Zone 2: 140 mph ≤ basic design wind speed <150 mph
  • Wind Zone 3: 150 mph ≤ basic design wind speed ≤ 170 mph or 140 mph ≤ basic design wind speed ≤ 170 mph at a distance greater than one mile from the coastline* 
  • Wind Zone 4: basic design wind speed> 170 mph

*the coastline shall be measured from the mean high water mark (a sign that shows the highest level reached by a body of water in a given location)

High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ)

According to FBC’s criteria, HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zones) include the county of Miami-Dade and Broward. The state deemed those areas to be more vulnerable to severe weather conditions and hurricanes than other parts of Florida. In these regions, you must use products that have been properly tested and meet the HVHZ standards.

Wind-Borne Debris Regions

If the buildings do not belong directly to HVHZ but are located in the Risk Categories II, III or IV or are situated in Wind-Borne Debris Regions, i.e.:

  • within one mile of the coastline measured from the mean high water mark
  • in areas where the basic design wind speed is 140 mph or greater

their glass openings must be additionally secured.

If you want your windows to be protected from the external wind effects and meet the state’s requirements, you have to either install impact glass or cover the openings with hurricane shutters that can be installed permanently or be removable. The hurricane shutters can be made from aluminium or steel and come in models such as accordion or roll-up.

florida building code 2020 wind-borne debris regions map

Florida Product Approval Number

The manufacturer of the product must ensure that his product receives the Florida Product Approval Number (FL #), this number is required * by Florida law and simply proves that the product complies with the rules contained in the FBC. Under state law, local jurisdictions must accept state-recognized products without the need for further testing and evaluation if the product conforms to the provided data. However, you have to pay attention to local city or county requirements, for instance, Miami-Dade county requires the manufacturer to provide a copy of the Notice of Acceptance** (issued by the county) to the installer, who must have it throughout the entire installation and assembly process, ready to be presented to the authority upon request.

*Products needing approval include:

  • exterior doors
  • impact protection systems
  • shutters
  • skylights
  • windows

**Miami-Date Notice of Acceptance is a local product approval that confirms the product meets the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone criteria; NOA can be used by a product manufacturer to apply for state product approval.

Not sure if the product is approved in Florida and your county?

For information on whether the building components are approved by the state of Florida, see the site of The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This page allows users to search for product approvals by several variants, such as manufacturer, product category, and product name. If you have more questions, you can call (850) 487-1824 and ask to speak to the Florida Building Codes and Standards Section of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  

Search for the Miami-Dade County Approved Product here.

recommended for you

importing windows from poland to the usa
V. Stanowski |

Importing windows: how to import them from Poland to the USA?

Importing windows from Poland to the US will allow you to buy fenestration products not only at a more favorable price, but also of the highest quality. After all, Poland is a European basin of window and door manufacturers. From this article, you will learn: how to save money by…

read more
German quality

Importing German Quality Windows – everything you need to know

You’ve heard a lot about the German quality windows and decided to purchase them. This is the pleasant part of the buying process. However, to finalize the transaction, you need to ship the goods to your country, which can be difficult without professional help. Fret not, debesto got you covered.

read more

faq

debesto.com – who are we and what do we do?

At debesto.com, we are experts in providing customized window solutions, including patio doors, blinds, entry, and garage doors, tailored to building professionals: developers, general contractors, architects, and construction project managers.   With over a decade of expertise in European windows, we specialize in assisting construction companies to import windows efficiently and profitably.   With debesto, you gain comprehensive, consultative partnerships designed to enhance your project’s success and minimize your business risk. Our customers appreciate most:
  • - cost-effectiveness
  • - deep business understanding
  • - secure on-site delivery
  • - timeliness
  • - exceptional communication and support
  • - incredibly smooth process
  Need more info? Check how to verify debesto Read what happens after booking a consultation

Delivery time

What is the lead time of an average order?

The total time from manufacture to delivery of the windows to the US port is on average 7-10 weeks depending on the destination port and delivery method that you can choose from debesto delivery price list.

Add to this the production time of the windows (from 2 to 8 weeks).

The maximum expected production time can be found on the pro forma invoice. We deliver 97% of all orders shipped worldwide according to the deadline we declare on the pro forma invoice. If we are late, we give you a 2% discount.

More questions about the delivery? Check Frequently Asked Questions about importing windows to the US

Warranty and safety

Do the products come with an international warranty?

Yes, products are covered by the debesto worldwide warranty, provided they are installed according to the professional standards and applicable regulations in the country of installation.



Are the windows insured during shipment?

Yes, all products are fully insured during transportation, covering the entire value of the products.

Any concerns about potential issues with windows from Poland? Discover 5 main reasons for complaints and ways to solve them

Want to know how much your business can gain by importing joinery from Poland?

Consult your project