The FBC defines wind-borne debris regions as areas where exterior building components, including doors, must be impact-rated. Understanding whether a project falls within a wind-borne debris region is critical for specifying the correct door assembly. The following criteria determine wind-borne debris region boundaries.
• Within 1 mile of the coast where the basic wind speed is 130 mph or greater (per the FBC wind speed map)
• Anywhere in Florida where the basic wind speed is 140 mph or greater, regardless of distance from the coast
• All of the HVHZ (Miami-Dade and Broward counties) regardless of distance from the coast
In wind-borne debris regions, exterior door assemblies protecting openings below 30 feet above grade must pass the large missile impact test (TAS 201 at 50 fps). Openings at or above 30 feet must pass the small missile impact test (TAS 201 at 50 fps with smaller projectiles, or as specified by the design professional). Interior doors separating conditioned space from unconditioned space may also require impact ratings depending on the building’s wind design.
NFPA 80 Compliance in Florida
NFPA 80 governs the installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire door assemblies. The FBC adopts NFPA 80 and the AHJ enforces it. Key NFPA 80 requirements that apply in Florida include the following.
• Labeling. All fire door components must bear labels from an accredited testing laboratory (UL, Intertek/WHI, or equivalent).
• Annual inspection. NFPA 80 requires that fire door assemblies be inspected and tested annually. The FBC reinforces this requirement through its fire prevention code provisions.
• Clearances. NFPA 80 specifies maximum clearances between the door and frame: 1/8 inch at the hinge edge and top, 1/8 inch at the strike edge (3/16 inch for pairs without an astragal), and 3/4 inch maximum at the bottom.
• Self-closing and self-latching. Fire doors must close and latch automatically without human intervention. Door closers and latching hardware are mandatory on all fire-rated openings.
• Field modifications prohibited. Fire door assemblies cannot be modified in the field (e.g., cutting, adding hardware holes, removing labels) without authorization from the original listing agency.
