NOA, TAS testing, and product certification for High Velocity Hurricane Zones
High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) product approvals represent the most rigorous building product certification system in the United States. Unlike standard building products that rely on manufacturers' certifications, HVHZ products must undergo independent third-party testing, continuous quality assurance programs, and annual renewal processes to maintain approval status. This system, pioneered after Hurricane Andrew (1992), has become the global standard for hurricane-resistant construction.
HVHZ product approval systems operate at multiple jurisdictional levels, with Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA) serving as the industry gold standard. Understanding the testing protocols, approval processes, and ongoing compliance requirements is essential for manufacturers, contractors, designers, and building officials working in hurricane-prone regions.
Test Application Standards (TAS) developed by Miami-Dade County exceed national ASTM standards through cyclic pressure testing, multiple impact locations, and wind-driven rain simulation.
Three-tier system: Miami-Dade NOA (Tier 1, most stringent), Broward County BC (Tier 2), Florida Product Approval (Tier 3, non-HVHZ). NOA accepted statewide.
All HVHZ approvals expire annually. Manufacturers must renew, undergo factory inspections, and submit to market surveillance testing to maintain valid approval status.
Approved products require continuous QA programs with third-party inspections of manufacturing facilities, batch testing, and installation verification protocols.
TAS protocols are the foundation of HVHZ product approvals. Developed by Miami-Dade County Product Control Division, TAS standards address specific hurricane performance requirements not fully covered by national ASTM standards.
| TAS Standard | Test Description | Applicable Products | Key Performance Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAS 100-95 | Uniform Structural Loads | Wall systems, cladding, roofing assemblies | Foundation for structural load testing methodology |
| TAS 105-95 | Roof Deck Fastener Uplift | Roof deck fasteners, sheathing attachments | Minimum uplift resistance, no fastener withdrawal |
| TAS 108-95 | Roof Covering Uplift | Shingles, tiles, metal roofing, membranes | Corner/edge zone performance, no blow-off |
| TAS 112-95 | Sealant Adhesion | Joint sealants, weatherproofing materials | Bond strength, elongation, weathering resistance |
| TAS 117-95 | Structural Sealant Adhesion | Structural glazing, curtain walls | Windload transfer, no adhesion failure |
| TAS 125-94 | Water Penetration Resistance | Wall/roof systems, windows, doors | No water infiltration under wind-driven rain |
| TAS 201-94 | Large Missile Impact (9 lb 2×4) | Windows, doors, shutters, skylights | No penetration, glazing retention after impact |
| TAS 202-94 | Small Missile Impact (2 lb ball) | Fenestration, protective systems | 10 impacts @ 80 fps, no penetration |
| TAS 203-94 | Cyclic Pressure (9,000 cycles) | Post-impact fenestration, doors | No water infiltration, no structural failure |
The signature HVHZ testing sequence combines impact resistance with sustained cyclic pressure and wind-driven rain simulation—far more rigorous than single-event ASTM testing.
Phase 1: Large Missile Impact (TAS 201-94)
Phase 2: Small Missile Impact (TAS 202-94) (if specified)
Phase 3: Cyclic Pressure & Water (TAS 203-94)
Why This Matters: This testing simulates a sustained Category 4-5 hurricane, not just a single wind gust. Products that pass static ASTM testing may fail TAS cyclic testing due to fatigue or seal degradation.
| Test Aspect | TAS (HVHZ) | ASTM (National) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Test | TAS 201: Multiple impact locations | ASTM E1996: Single impact per zone | TAS identifies weak points missed by single-impact test |
| Pressure Cycles | 9,000 cycles (3-8 hours) | Static pressure only (minutes) | TAS reveals fatigue failures, seal degradation |
| Water Test | Simultaneous with cyclic pressure | Separate static water spray | TAS simulates real hurricane conditions |
| Small Missile | TAS 202: 80 fps, 10 impacts | ASTM: 50 fps (Level C) | TAS higher velocity = gravel/debris simulation |
| Acceptance | Zero water infiltration, zero failures | Allows limited water (defined thresholds) | TAS more stringent performance requirement |
Florida's HVHZ regions use a three-tier product approval system, with geographic acceptance and testing rigor increasing from Tier 3 to Tier 1:
Gold Standard. Required: Miami-Dade HVHZ. Accepted: Statewide (all Florida). Testing: TAS mandatory. Cyclic pressure: 9,000 cycles required. Designation: NOA xx-xxxx.xx
Regional Standard. Required: Broward County HVHZ only. Accepted: Broward only (not Miami-Dade). Testing: TAS or ASTM (choice). Cyclic: Optional. Designation: BC-xxxx
State Baseline. Required: Non-HVHZ Florida. Accepted: Non-HVHZ only. Testing: ASTM E1996/1886. Cyclic: Not required. Designation: FL-xxxx
Not Acceptable. Standard national product certifications (NFRC, AAMA, etc.) are NOT sufficient for HVHZ. Miami-Dade, Broward, or FL approval mandatory.
Timeline: 6-12 months from initial testing to NOA issuance | Cost: $20,000-$75,000+ (testing + fees + QA)
Step 1: Product Development & Pre-Testing (Months 1-2)
Step 2: TAS Testing (Months 3-5)
Step 3: Application Submission (Month 6)
Step 4: Technical Review (Months 7-8)
Step 5: NOA Issuance (Month 9)
Step 6: Ongoing Compliance (Annual)
Design Pressure (DP) ratings indicate the maximum wind pressure (in psf) a product can withstand. DP ratings are standardized in 5 or 10 psf increments:
| DP Rating | Pressure (psf) | Typical Applications | Equivalent Wind Speed (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP-30 | ±60 psf | Low-rise residential, non-HVHZ inland areas | ~110-120 mph (Exp C, h=30 ft) |
| DP-40 | ±80 psf | Residential coastal non-HVHZ, moderate wind zones | ~120-130 mph |
| DP-50 | ±100 psf | Minimum for some HVHZ areas, high wind coastal | ~130-145 mph |
| DP-60 | ±120 psf | HVHZ residential (typical), coastal high-wind zones | ~145-155 mph |
| DP-70 | ±140 psf | HVHZ commercial, Miami-Dade/Broward inland areas | ~155-165 mph |
| DP-80 | ±160 psf | HVHZ coastal, Miami-Dade mid-rise buildings | ~165-175 mph |
| DP-90 | ±180 psf | Miami-Dade/Broward immediate coast, high-rise | ~175-185 mph |
| DP-100+ | ±200+ psf | Extreme HVHZ (Miami Beach, Keys), high-rise coastal | ~185-195+ mph |
Important: DP ratings are tested pressures, not wind speeds. Actual required DP rating depends on building height, exposure category, wind speed, and pressure coefficient (zone location on building).
All NOA-approved products require continuous Quality Assurance programs administered by approved third-party agencies:
Documented procedures for material sourcing, fabrication processes, and quality checkpoints. Random batch testing per TAS requirements.
Annual or bi-annual factory inspections by IAS-accredited agencies (TDI, PRI, SGS, Intertek). Verify manufacturing matches approved specifications.
Periodic testing of production samples to verify ongoing compliance. Testing frequency specified in NOA approval.
Miami-Dade may purchase installed products from market and test for compliance. Failed products trigger NOA suspension or revocation.
NOAs expire annually. Using products with expired NOA numbers is code violation. Always verify current status before purchase.
NOAs specify maximum product dimensions. Installing 7 ft × 9 ft window when NOA approves only 6 ft × 8 ft voids approval.
Altering products in field (different anchors, modified frames, added reinforcement) voids NOA. Product must match approved configuration exactly.
Broward BC approvals not valid in Miami-Dade. Florida Product Approval not valid in any HVHZ. Know which approval applies where.
www.miamidade.gov/building → Product Control → NOA Database. Search by NOA number, manufacturer, or product type.
Download all TAS testing protocols (TAS 100-203) free from Miami-Dade Product Control website. Essential reading for manufacturers.
AAMA, PRI, SGS, Intertek, TDI, Bureau Veritas—all IAS-accredited for TAS testing. Contact Product Control for current approved lab list.
Calculate required DP ratings for your project with automated wind load calculations, HVHZ wind speeds, and pressure coefficient determination.
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