What is a Hurricane Rated Door?

Posted by doornmore on March 25th, 2013

Hurricane entry doors are French doors patio doors, certified for hurricane strength allowing for maximum protection against wind, rain, and flying debris such storms can create.

What is an Impact Resistant Door?

Impact resistance is an option with entry doors including the French patio doors with hurricane rating. These patio doors French have been tested against the impacts of windborne objects. Testing was done to a standard of 2x4, 9 pound lumber at a speed rating of 34 miles per hour. These French patio doors became approved in Florida. They are installed in most homes to manufacturer requirements to ensure they follow all minimum building code specs in an area.

Anyone living in Miami-Dade or Broward counties are in “High Velocity Hurricane Zones” requiring hurricane rated French doors patio doors. Check your door ratings for impact resistance and hurricane ratings to ensure you meet the 1^st standard as specified in the below information. In other parts of Florida your patio doors French should at least meet the 2^nd or 1^st codes. The building codes are checked by the local building office before a permit is provided for installation.

Impact Window and Doors Test Standards

Hurricane and impact resistant French doors patio doors as well as windows are tested to ensure they can meet local codes from any windborne debris or missiles. Testing is conducted with various lengths and widths of 2x4s, which are aimed at the French patio doors. There is a specified speed of at least 34 miles per hour. The groups are tested based on engineering standards with methods, different missile lengths/widths, and a test acceptance code.

Florida Building Code

Broward and Miami-Date Counties

1. TAS 201 Small and Large Test Standards
2. TAS 202 Uniform Structure Load Standards
3. TAS 203 Uniform Cyclic Pressure Test Standards

When a product meets the criteria stated above a “Notice of Acceptance” is issued by the county.

Rest of Florida

1. ASTM E 1886 The Standard Test for Performance of Storm Shutters, Doors, Curtain Walls and Exterior Windows exposed to different cyclic pressure differentials and impacted by missiles
2. ASTM E 1996 The Standard Performance Specification for Storm Shutters, Doors, Curtain Walls and Exterior Windows that are impacted by hurricane windborne debris

High Velocity Hurricane Zone

Any French patio doors must be purchased based on codes in your area. Hurricane rate doors are tested for design pressure to ensure structural integrity. Different wind speeds are used for up to 10 seconds in different directions. An example would be the DP30, which is tested to 132 miles per hour. The DP50 has undergone testing at 173 miles per hour. The higher DP means better water resistance too. The DP30 hurricane rating on French doors patio doors means the door can withstand up to level 3 hurricanes, while DP40 would be up to level 4 hurricanes.

About the Author:

Shayann Behjati is the CEO of the US Door & More Inc.

He has studied Architecture & Design, and has been working in the design and manufacturing and field since 2001. He has extensive knowledge and experience in the woodworking and door industries.

US Door & More Inc. offers a range of exterior doors, wood entry doors, interior doors, fiberglass doors, pre hung doors and glass entry doors.