Those in hurricane-prone areas forced to deal with more frequent and powerful storms can’t do much about the weather. But they can improve their buildings’ chances of enduring high winds and heavy rain unscathed with the right building materials.

That’s why Unicel Architectural has developed its new advanced louvered glazing and curtain wall systems certified for hurricane resistance in the U.S. state of Florida.

Unicel Architectural’s timber and aluminum curtain wall systems and Vision Control insulating glass units (IGUs) are certified under Florida Building Product Approval number FL 41609.

That means they’re officially in compliance with the structural requirements of the current Florida building code within the state’s “high velocity hurricane zone” (HVHZ). Florida’s HVHZ encompasses Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward counties. It includes a stricter building code and requires building materials to be of sufficient strength to mitigate hurricane damage.

Unicel Architectural certified the hurricane resistance of the above glazing products by undergoing a series of performance tests in Florida, including:

• Testing Application Standard (TAS) 201-94 – Impact Test Procedures (Large Missile)
• TAS 202-94 – Criteria for Testing Impact & Non-Impact Resistant Building Envelope Components Using Uniform Static Air Pressure
• TAS 203-94 – Criteria for Testing Products Subject to Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading
• ASTM E1886-13 – Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure Differentials
• ASTM E1996-17 – Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes

System features:

• Complies with large and small missile impact requirements within Florida’s High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) and does not need an impact resistant covering; also complies with Missile Level D and Wind Zone 4 (ASTM E1886, ASTM E1996)
• Certified with Structural Silicone Glazing with or without cap
• Multiple glass panes reinforced with a polymer layer; glazing options include monolithic double-laminated glazing for Vision Control®, Vision Control® Mini, and ViuLite®
• Can be combined with a Florida/Miami Dade County-approved entrance door
• Evaluated and found in compliance with the Florida Building Code, including the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ)

Key benefits:

• Can withstand high wind loads for multiple hours
• Offers increased protection from wind-blown missiles
• Helps maintain building envelope integrity during major storms
• Windows don’t shatter when broken
• Windows don’t require storm shutters or other protective gear