HVHZ and Florida Approved Products Help Metal Buildings Weather the Storm

You rely on your metal buildings to safeguard your people, processes and equipment — and to keep operations moving at maximum efficiency. For your structures to serve you to the best of their ability, however, they must be able to withstand the elements. And for businesses in certain areas, the best way to ensure all-weather durability is to upgrade metal buildings with Florida approved products, or those rated for high velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ).

HVHZ and Florida approved products offer added metal building protection in high wind scenarios.

HVHZ and 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. Read on to learn more about HVHZ and Florida product approval, the protections they offer and how they factor into your projects.

How Do Florida HVHZ and Florida Product Approvals Differ?

Florida product approvals and Florida HVHZ considerations both refer to heightened standards designed to fortify metal building accessories and the structures they call home. They are clear indicators of products that are engineered to meet or exceed Florida’s strict building codes — but they can be installed on buildings in any state.

The main difference between the two designations stems from the specific protection levels offered and where they are approved for use. Let’s take a closer look at the standards.

• Florida Product Approvals: Florida approved products are acceptable for use in most areas regularly affected by heavy winds and hurricane threats. The main exception is Florida’s Broward and Miami-Dade counties, which frequently experience violent weather and where local codes require building accessories to adhere to even stronger engineering standards.
• Florida HVHZ Approvals: HVHZ approved products are acceptable for use in areas that regularly experience the heaviest brunt of wind or hurricane damage. This includes the Florida Keys and the state’s Broward, Miami-Dade and Coastal Palm Beach counties, where it isn’t uncommon for storms to deal wind speeds of 140 mph or more.

Metallic Products offers a number of HVHZ and Florida approved products engineered to withstand wild weather scenarios.

What Goes into Certifying Florida or HVHZ Approved Products?

There is no one-and-done approach to certification for Florida or HVHZ approved products. Instead, manufacturers such as Metallic Products take part in a multi-step process that requires us to push products to — and past — their limits to determine exactly what they can withstand.

The work continues long after a metal building accessory manufacturer obtains initial certification, too.

Following HVHZ or Florida product 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 initial product releases. Let’s talk through the steps required for a metal building accessory line to offer Florida or HVHZ approved products.

• 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 HVHZ and 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, driven rain testing 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: Even the most extensive testing won’t do much good if you don’t take time to organize and analyze the data. Once 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 HVHZ and Florida product approval game, it’s time to make 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 certified as a Florida or HVHZ approved product and given a unique registration number.
• Quality Assurance: An audited production quality assurance program subjects Florida and HVHZ approved products to regular reviews to ensure they continue to meet or exceed the Florida Building Commission’s standards. Metallic Products’ enhanced 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 HVHZ or Florida Product Approvals?

Florida and HVHZ approved products tend to cost more than traditional metal building accessories due to the enhanced engineering that goes into them. Before committing to a purchase, you’ll want to be sure HVHZ or Florida product approvals are necessary. 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 HVHZ or 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 create environments that are safe, healthy and comfortable.

What Are Your Options Related to Florida and HVHZ-Rated Metal Building Accessories?

As with any metal building accessory purchase, your available options will vary depending on the company with which you do business. Metallic Products offers a number of Florida approved and HVHZ-rated steel building accessories, each of which has been tested, certified and assigned a unique Florida approval number. These include:

• Continuous Ridge Ventilators (Florida approved)
• Low Profile Ridge Ventilators (HVHZ approved)
• Wall Louvers (Florida approved)

HVHZ and Florida approved products play a key role in keeping steel buildings and the people who work inside of them protected, 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 what it needs to stand up to storm season, feel free to contact our team. We’re here to help and we’d love to work with you.