Florida Hurricane Zone Door Solutions
CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
What is the difference between HVHZ and non-HVHZ in Florida?
HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone) includes Miami-Dade and Broward counties and requires products with a Miami-Dade NOA or Broward Product Approval, including missile impact testing per TAS standards. Non-HVHZ areas in Florida require Florida Product Approval (FL number) but follow FBC testing pathways with design pressure requirements based on location.
What design pressure ratings are available from CDF?
CDF offers hurricane door assemblies rated at +/-65 PSF and +/-75 PSF depending on the specific configuration. The required design pressure for each opening is determined by the project engineer based on wind speed, exposure category, building height, and opening location.
Can I substitute hardware on a Florida-approved hurricane assembly?
No. Florida-approved hurricane assemblies must be installed exactly as tested and listed. Substituting hinges, changing frame anchoring, modifying reinforcement, or altering any component voids the product approval and will fail inspection.
How do I verify a Florida Product Approval number?
Florida Product Approval numbers can be verified on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Product Approval website. Search by FL number, manufacturer name, or product category to confirm the approval is active and covers the intended application.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDF's ProBuilder tool allows contractors to configure Florida-certified hurricane door assemblies filtered by product approval number and design pressure rating. CDF is among the few distributors with FL-certified hurricane assemblies available for immediate configuration and ordering.
For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.
Configure Your Door Assembly
CDF is among the few commercial door distributors in the United States that stocks and ships Florida-certified hurricane door assemblies. CDF's ProBuilder tool allows contractors to filter assemblies by Florida Product Approval number and design pressure rating, ensuring the selected configuration meets the project's wind zone requirements.
For Florida projects requiring custom configurations or assistance with product approval verification, contact CDF's sales team at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
How CDF Supports Florida Hurricane Zone Projects
Hurricane-rated door assemblies must be configured as tested systems. Substituting components — different hinges, different frame anchoring, or different reinforcement — may void the product approval.
• Frame anchoring must match the tested configuration (type, spacing, and embedment).
• Hinge quantity, gauge, and attachment method must match the approval listing.
• Door reinforcement (gauge and stiffener configuration) must match the tested assembly.
• Glazing in hurricane-rated doors must be impact-rated and tested as part of the assembly.
Field modifications to any component of a Florida-approved hurricane assembly void the product approval and will fail inspection.
Assembly Configuration for Wind Compliance
All commercial door assemblies installed in Florida must carry a valid Florida Product Approval.
Key Testing Standards
• TAS 201: Large missile impact test (9-pound 2x4 lumber at 34 mph for HVHZ).
• TAS 202: Criteria for testing impact and non-impact resistant building envelope components.
• TAS 203: Criteria for testing products for windborne debris impact and resistance to cyclic pressure.
• ASTM E330: Standard test method for structural performance of exterior windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls by uniform static air pressure difference.
Florida Product Approval numbers can be verified on the Florida DBPR Product Approval website.
Florida Product Approvals and Testing Standards
Design pressure (DP) ratings measure the wind load resistance of a door assembly in pounds per square foot (PSF). Florida projects require assemblies rated to meet or exceed the design pressure calculated for the building location.
• CDF offers hurricane door assemblies rated at +/-65 PSF for standard applications.
• CDF also offers assemblies rated at +/-75 PSF for specific configurations.
• Design pressure requirements are calculated based on wind speed, exposure category, building height, and opening location (wall zone).
The project engineer or architect specifies the required DP rating for each opening. The installing contractor must verify that the selected assembly meets or exceeds this requirement.
Florida divides its wind zones into two primary categories: High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) and non-HVHZ areas. The requirements differ substantially.
High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ)
• HVHZ includes Miami-Dade County and Broward County.
• Products in HVHZ must carry a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Broward County Product Approval.
• Testing requirements in HVHZ include large and small missile impact testing per TAS 201, TAS 202, and TAS 203.
• HVHZ assemblies must be tested and approved as complete systems — door, frame, and hardware together.
Non-HVHZ Wind Zones
• Non-HVHZ areas in Florida still require Florida Product Approval (FL number) but follow the Florida Building Code (FBC) testing pathway rather than HVHZ-specific TAS standards.
• Wind resistance requirements vary by location and are determined by the design wind speed map in the FBC.
• Assemblies must meet the design pressure rating required for the specific project location and exposure category.
Florida's building code imposes wind-resistance requirements on commercial door assemblies that exceed standard code requirements in the rest of the United States. These requirements vary significantly based on the geographic zone within Florida, the building's exposure category, and the specific product approval pathway.
Selecting the wrong product or failing to verify Florida Product Approval can result in failed inspections, project delays, and assemblies that do not protect the building envelope during a hurricane event.
Understanding Florida's Hurricane Door Requirements
HVHZ and Non-HVHZ Certified Commercial Door Assemblies for Florida Wind Zone Compliance
This guide answers: Florida Hurricane Door Rules for HVHZ and Non-HVHZ Zones
Florida Hurricane Zone Door Solutions
CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
What is the difference between HVHZ and non-HVHZ in Florida?
HVHZ (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone) includes Miami-Dade and Broward counties and requires products with a Miami-Dade NOA or Broward Product Approval, including missile impact testing per TAS standards. Non-HVHZ areas in Florida require Florida Product Approval (FL number) but follow FBC testing pathways with design pressure requirements based on location.
What design pressure ratings are available from CDF?
CDF offers hurricane door assemblies rated at +/-65 PSF and +/-75 PSF depending on the specific configuration. The required design pressure for each opening is determined by the project engineer based on wind speed, exposure category, building height, and opening location.
Can I substitute hardware on a Florida-approved hurricane assembly?
No. Florida-approved hurricane assemblies must be installed exactly as tested and listed. Substituting hinges, changing frame anchoring, modifying reinforcement, or altering any component voids the product approval and will fail inspection.
How do I verify a Florida Product Approval number?
Florida Product Approval numbers can be verified on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Product Approval website. Search by FL number, manufacturer name, or product category to confirm the approval is active and covers the intended application.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDF's ProBuilder tool allows contractors to configure Florida-certified hurricane door assemblies filtered by product approval number and design pressure rating. CDF is among the few distributors with FL-certified hurricane assemblies available for immediate configuration and ordering.
For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.
Configure Your Door Assembly
CDF is among the few commercial door distributors in the United States that stocks and ships Florida-certified hurricane door assemblies. CDF's ProBuilder tool allows contractors to filter assemblies by Florida Product Approval number and design pressure rating, ensuring the selected configuration meets the project's wind zone requirements.
For Florida projects requiring custom configurations or assistance with product approval verification, contact CDF's sales team at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.
How CDF Supports Florida Hurricane Zone Projects
Hurricane-rated door assemblies must be configured as tested systems. Substituting components — different hinges, different frame anchoring, or different reinforcement — may void the product approval.
• Frame anchoring must match the tested configuration (type, spacing, and embedment).
• Hinge quantity, gauge, and attachment method must match the approval listing.
• Door reinforcement (gauge and stiffener configuration) must match the tested assembly.
• Glazing in hurricane-rated doors must be impact-rated and tested as part of the assembly.
Field modifications to any component of a Florida-approved hurricane assembly void the product approval and will fail inspection.
Assembly Configuration for Wind Compliance
All commercial door assemblies installed in Florida must carry a valid Florida Product Approval.
Key Testing Standards
• TAS 201: Large missile impact test (9-pound 2x4 lumber at 34 mph for HVHZ).
• TAS 202: Criteria for testing impact and non-impact resistant building envelope components.
• TAS 203: Criteria for testing products for windborne debris impact and resistance to cyclic pressure.
• ASTM E330: Standard test method for structural performance of exterior windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls by uniform static air pressure difference.
Florida Product Approval numbers can be verified on the Florida DBPR Product Approval website.
Florida Product Approvals and Testing Standards
Design pressure (DP) ratings measure the wind load resistance of a door assembly in pounds per square foot (PSF). Florida projects require assemblies rated to meet or exceed the design pressure calculated for the building location.
• CDF offers hurricane door assemblies rated at +/-65 PSF for standard applications.
• CDF also offers assemblies rated at +/-75 PSF for specific configurations.
• Design pressure requirements are calculated based on wind speed, exposure category, building height, and opening location (wall zone).
The project engineer or architect specifies the required DP rating for each opening. The installing contractor must verify that the selected assembly meets or exceeds this requirement.
Florida divides its wind zones into two primary categories: High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) and non-HVHZ areas. The requirements differ substantially.
High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ)
• HVHZ includes Miami-Dade County and Broward County.
• Products in HVHZ must carry a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Broward County Product Approval.
• Testing requirements in HVHZ include large and small missile impact testing per TAS 201, TAS 202, and TAS 203.
• HVHZ assemblies must be tested and approved as complete systems — door, frame, and hardware together.
Non-HVHZ Wind Zones
• Non-HVHZ areas in Florida still require Florida Product Approval (FL number) but follow the Florida Building Code (FBC) testing pathway rather than HVHZ-specific TAS standards.
• Wind resistance requirements vary by location and are determined by the design wind speed map in the FBC.
• Assemblies must meet the design pressure rating required for the specific project location and exposure category.
Florida's building code imposes wind-resistance requirements on commercial door assemblies that exceed standard code requirements in the rest of the United States. These requirements vary significantly based on the geographic zone within Florida, the building's exposure category, and the specific product approval pathway.
Selecting the wrong product or failing to verify Florida Product Approval can result in failed inspections, project delays, and assemblies that do not protect the building envelope during a hurricane event.
Understanding Florida's Hurricane Door Requirements
HVHZ and Non-HVHZ Certified Commercial Door Assemblies for Florida Wind Zone Compliance
This guide answers: Florida Hurricane Door Rules for HVHZ and Non-HVHZ Zones
Florida Hurricane Zone Door Solutions
Dominic Anderson
Sales Manager
Dominic Anderson specializes in foundational commercial door education, helping teams understand door types, ratings, and basic hardware coordination. His expertise includes fire-rated and hurricane-rated doors, certification requirements, and institutional applications such as schools and healthcare facilities. By translating technical standards into clear, practical guidance, Dominic helps ensure commercial door projects begin with accurate specifications and realistic performance expectations.
