Doors and windows are
vulnerable components of
your homes protective shell
or envelope because they are
easily penetrated by
wind-borne debris often
generated by the high winds
of storms like hurricanes.
If that envelope is breached
during a storm because of
the failure of windows and
doors, wind, wind-driven
rain and debris can enter
your home causing
considerable damage to its
interior and your property.
A more critical issue
develops when the envelope
is breached -- high winds
can enter your home and
exert high pressure on your
walls and roof. These
internal pressures combined
with the external pressure
of wind blowing over your
home can lead to
catastrophic damage.
You can protect your home's
openings by installing
impact-resistant windows and
doors or installing impact
resistant coverings, such as
shutters over windows and
doors.
Impact resistant glass and
shutters are specifically
designed to meet a
combination of impact and
continuous pressure from the
wind. Always use products
that have been tested to one
of these standards and have
been designated as such
through a recognized product
approval system or
evaluation report.
Ratings
SBCCI SSTD 12
ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996
Miami-Dade Protocols PA 201,
PA 202, and PA 203.
Impact resistant windows
usually consist of a clear
plastic-like film sandwiched
between two
specially-treated pieces of
glass, giving the window
greater strength than glass
alone.
Equally important as the
strength of the glass is the
strength of the window's
frame. An impact resistant
window is tested as a unit
that includes the glass, the
frame, as well as the
attachment hardware and the
installation method. Impact
resistant windows should
always be installed
following the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Exterior doors should also
be wind and impact resistant
or protected with an impact
resistant covering.
Garage Doors
Garage doors are
particularly vulnerable to
high winds, because of the
long span of opening they
cover and the relatively
lightweight material they
are made of.
Two options are available
for strengthening garage
doors.
Replace the door and track
with a system that is
designed to withstand high
winds and wind-borne debris.
The second option is to
protect the garage door with
a tested and approved impact
resistant covering.
Visit www.flash.org or call
toll-free (877) 221-SAFE for
more information about
protecting your home from
disaster.
Copyright 2004 Federal
Alliance for Safe Homes --
FLASH, Inc. All rights
reserved. |
