Hurricane Protection

Impact Protection

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated southern Florida, causing more than 18 billion USD (13.2 EUR) in property damage. Because most of the damage was caused by windborne debris, international and local building codes now require glazing systems in hurricane prone areas to pass rigorous impact and cycling tests.

Structural glazing systems below 30 feet (10 meters) are tested with two impacts by a 2” x 4” (10 x 5 cm) piece of lumber that is eight-feet long (240 cm) and weighs nine-pounds (4 kg), fired at a rate of 50 feet per second (15 m/sec). Structural glazing above 30 feet (10 meters) is hit three times by ten steel ball bearings, each weighing 2 grams. To pass each test, the glazing system—including glass and frame—must survive impact, after which it is subjected to 9000 cycles of positive and negative windload pressure.

Windborne Protection

UVEKOL^® S is the most advanced glass-laminating product for windborne debris protection on the market today. Testing according to Miami-Dade County protocols (PA 201, 202 and 203) and Florida Building codes (TAS 201, 202 and 203) have proven the performance of UVEKOL S laminates in extreme applications.