Contact & About Us
Overview
The biggest challenge in protection against hurricane forces is in choosing which product(s) will work best for your particular home or building. There are a myriad of options available. For example, in considering a window opening, do you select impact windows or one of the ten primary hurricane shutter options? Most companies specialize in one or more of these options and must obviously sell you on their solution.
Introduction to Hurricane Proof
Hurricane Proof was created to provide the highest value products in any and all categories of hurricane protection. Highest value means the best performing product for the price you pay. Hurricane Proof began in the spring of 2008 serving the south Palm Beach County region and will eventually expand to all hurricane impacted areas in the U.S. Hurricane Proof is a member of the My Safe Florida Home program.
Qualification of Hurricane Proof
Hurricanes cause catastrophic damage to homes and businesses. Experts predict that the U.S. is at the beginning of a long cycle of frequent hurricanes. The cost of hurricane protection and clean up is high. Insurance companies are refusing to provide coverage. Governments are challenged to resolve the crisis of insurance coverage and hurricane damage. A market solution is needed.
Product Certification
While it is possible to build structures that are completely “hurricane proof”, there are compromises of cost and appearance. Hurricane Proof’s focus is on providing the greatest protection possible in all categories and consult with our clients regarding the practicality of each option. All of our trades’ products will meet the nation’s toughest hurricane product testing standards, typically those of Miami/Dade. The Miami/Dade testing standards have been the code requirements for building in Dade and Broward Counties and have now become the Florida statewide standard for costal locations most vulnerable to hurricanes. These are designated as High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ). Some of Hurricane Proof’s product categories will feature products that exceed the Miami/Dade code requirements.
The testing for opening protection against hurricane windborne debris required for a Miami-Dade Product Approval include the following:
- TAS 201 Large and Small Missile Test Standards,
- TAS 202 Uniform Structural Load Standards, and
- TAS 203 Uniform Cyclic Pressure Test Standards.
The Miami-Dade test standards surpass all others in that it does not allow the test missile (9-pound 2x4 at 34 mph) to penetrate the tested unit or protective system (hurricane shutter) and does not allow it to break the glass behind the protective system. Other standards allow the test missile to penetrate the protective system provided the opening does not increase in size as it is subjected to wind pressures and so long as the hole is small enough so that a 3-inch diameter sphere will not pass through the hole. The focus of these alternative test standards is to prevent pressurization of the home and reduce the chances of additional pressure related failures of the home.
The Miami-Dade standard targets protection of the window behind the protective system. Consequently, a protective system that meets the Miami-Dade Standard and is installed according to their product approval requirements will provide the highest level of protection available in a commercial product. Hurricane Proof’s products will continue to evolve as technologies in the industry improve.
Customer Benefits exclusively from Hurricane Proof
- Single source for any type of hurricane protection product
- Objective information—No vested interest in “pushing” any particular type of product
- Increased insurability and decreased insurance premiums
- Increased personal safety
- Reduced building damage and increased building value
- Decreased time for hurricane preparedness and post-storm recovery
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