Glazing Regulations - Impact: Codes And Standards

The first building code provision in the United States to address impact from windborne debris in hurricanes was adopted by the South Florida Building Code in Dade County, Florida in 1993. Currently, windborne debris requirements have been adopted by 5 governmental jurisdictions and appear in 5 test standards and specifications, one national wind load standard, four building codes and the proposed International Building Code. The manner in which each of these codes and standards considers windborne debris is different and changes occur each year. This paper briefly identifies codes and standards with debris impact provisions and outlines the current provisions contained therein.