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Florida Approved Product Considerations for Today’s Metal Buildings


You rely on your metal buildings to safeguard your people, processes and equipment — and to keep operations moving efficiently forward. In order for your structures to serve you to the best of their ability, however, they have to be able to withstand the elements. And for operations in certain areas, the best way to ensure just that is to incorporate accessories from a trusted Florida approved product line.

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Florida approved metal building accessories offer added protection in high wind scenarios.

Florida approved products are enhanced versions of popular metal building accessories, and they’re engineered specifically to meet strict code guidelines set by the Florida Building Commission. These products have been tested by outside agencies to ensure they meet high wind and impact resistance requirements — and that they can provide optimum protection when adverse weather enters the scene.

These tools of the trade can go a long way toward keeping your steel buildings protected in the here and now, encouraging a long lifespan with minimal maintenance. Read on for additional Florida approved product insights every metal building owner (and contractor) should know.

 

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Metallic Products Offers 12 ventilation products approved for use by the Florida Building Commission.

What Goes into Florida Product Approval?
Florida product approval isn’t a one-and-done approach to testing. Instead, it’s a multi-step process that requires manufacturers to push their products to — and past — the limit to determine exactly what they can withstand. The process continues long after a metal building accessory manufacturer has obtained that Florida product approval, too.

Following approval, it’s all about making sure the steel building accessories a company is putting out there maintain the same quality standards as they did during their initial product releases. Let’s take a closer look at the steps required for a metal building accessory line to obtain Florida product approval.

  • Testing: Although any reputable company will conduct thorough testing on its building accessories before releasing them to the public, the process is more rigorous (and official) when related to Florida product approval. Here, structural testing is conducted by outside laboratories specially certified to handle such work. These labs subject the building accessories to wind uplift tests, large missile impact evaluations and other scenarios that mimic what a building might experience during a storm. The goal at this stage is to dish out more than what the accessory can handle, basically pushing it until it breaks. That way, it’s clear exactly what a steel building louver or ridge vent can withstand. Careful recordkeeping documents every finding.
  • Evaluation: Of course, even the most extensive testing won’t do much good if you don’t take time to organize and analyze the data. Once that information has been collected, the laboratory’s wind resistance findings are carefully detailed in an evaluation report that then goes to the Florida Building Commission for review and approval.
  • Validation: At this stage of the Florida product approval game, it’s all about making things official. Here, a professional engineer who is registered with the Florida Building Commission does a thorough inspection of the metal building accessory and wind resistance data to ensure everything meets the organization’s strict standards. If all goes according to plan (which, at this point, it should), the metal building accessory is officially named a Florida approved product.
  • Quality Assurance: As we’ve mentioned before, the process doesn’t end once Florida product approval is established. Instead, an audited production quality assurance program subjects Florida approved products to regular reviews to ensure they continue to meet or exceed the Florida Building Commission’s standards. Metallic Products’ Florida approved products are overseen by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited agency and meet ISO standard 17020.

 

How Do I Know if I Need to Source Accessories with Florida Product Approvals?
Because Florida approved products feature enhanced engineering to help them stand up against wild weather, they tend to cost more than traditional metal building accessories. Before committing to a purchase, you’ll want to be sure Florida product approval is necessary for the area your steel buildings will call home.

So, how do you know if Florida product approvals are something you need to factor in for a given project? Here are some considerations to help guide your decision.

  • Take Local Weather Patterns into Account: If your steel buildings are going in along the coastline, or if they’re in areas regularly impacted by hurricane or tornado threats, chances are they’ll experience a heightened risk of wind damage. Do some research into typical weather patterns and any unusual storm activity in the recent past that might skew your decision one way or the other.
  • Consult Local Building Codes: Local rules and regulations are the best indicator of what should be done to ensure your metal buildings (and their associated accessories) are equipped to withstand the area’s weather. If you have difficulty finding specific guidance related to Florida product approval, a local permitting office should be able to point you in the right direction.
  • Talk with Your Steel Building Accessory Provider: Remember, your accessory manufacturer deals with product questions and concerns every day. They’ll be able to take much of the burden off your shoulders, helping you determine which accessories make the most sense for your projects — and the best way to go about installing them. (Don’t forget, your ventilation accessories are part of a complex system, and it takes each element working together just so to ensure optimum airflow.)

 

What Are Your Options Related to Florida Product Approvals?
As with any metal building accessory purchase, your available options will vary depending on the company with which you do business. At Metallic Products, 12 of our ventilator and louver products boast Florida product approval. These include:

It doesn’t end with selecting the Florida approved ventilator or louver type that makes the most sense for your steel building. You’ll also need to choose the dimensions that best suit your structure and ventilation needs — and the color or finish that works for your overall aesthetic. We recommend working closely with your metal building accessory manufacturer to ensure you have the exact type and size of ventilation accessories you need, installed exactly where you need them.

Florida approved product lines can go a long way toward priming your metal buildings for success — and ensuring healthy, comfortable interiors for the long haul. But it’s important to approach them the right way. If you have questions about any of the above, or if you’re interested in learning how Metallic Products can get your next project outfitted with the Florida approved products it needs, feel free to contact our team. We’re here to help and we’d love to work with you.