What does it mean to be FBC rated? | Home Improvement Advice by LAS

Posted on June 18, 2014

The Florida Building Code evaluates products that affect the structural integrity of buildings during hurricanes. With all of the information out there, it is hard to decipher what is what. LAS has put together a short summary to answer the question, “what does it mean for a product to be FBC rated?”

It is based on The American Society of Civil Engineers Standard ASCE 7-98 and requires buildings to withstand wind forces resulting from design wind speeds. The Florida Product Approval System establishes standards for performance of products, materials and systems of construction.

For simplicity, shutters, windows, and doors that have been proven to resist the impact from large windborne debris (defined by the test standards as a 9-pound 2×4 lumber missile striking end on at 34 mph) are referred to as FBC rated products. The standard for approval does not allow the test missile (9-pound 2×4 at 34 mph) to penetrate the unit or protective system, and does not allow it to break the glass behind the protective system. (Penetration pass/fail is determined by whether a 3” diameter steel ball can pass through the shutter post impact.)

These products in LAS’ window and shutter lines meet Florida Building Code (FBC) requirements.

Bahama Shutter – Approval code: FL17047

Colonial Shutter – Approval code:FL15338

Board & Batten Shutter – Approval code: FL15158

Double Hung Window – Approval code: FL16912

Horizontal Slider Window – Approval code: FL16913

Casement Window – Approval code: FL16914

Single Hung Window – Approval code: FL16915

Fixed Window – Approval code: FL16929-R1

*For more information visit www.floridabuilding.org or call National Accreditation & Management Institute, (804) 684-5124.

DID YOU KNOW?

• At LAS, all hurricane protection can be built to FBC requirements. FBC installation requirements are included in product packaging. LAS installation is available and encouraged.
• LAS is the only company within 200 miles of New Orleans, with proprietary designs for FBC rated products.
• We design & manufacture our products locally.
• LAS products are warranted & serviced by LAS.

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Julia,
On behalf of Lighthouse Louisiana (formerly The Lighthouse for the Blind), please convey my thanks once again to your coworkers for supporting our summer camp for children who are blind. It is a rare thing to see a corporate family like yours, where people get together and give from their own hard-earned paychecks to local groups that are doing good work in the community. As donors, sometimes it’s hard to know what donations to organizations we care about are actually being used for. We consider LAS an important investor in our work, and we cannot thank you enough for helping us serve our clients.

Thank you,
Erin McQuade Wright
Director of Development

We just finished getting new windows from LAS and I can’t be any happier. From start to finish, this job was done professionally. The salesman, Garrett, came to the house on time and explained the windows and the process and answered any questions that we had at the time. He indicated the person who would do the measurements would call and set up an appointment within two weeks and the the windows would be built and installed in about 5 weeks. Well, the job – from the initial estimate to complete install – was three weeks. The installed that completed the job did an excellent job of install, caulking and cleanup. We can’t give them a higher rating. The most amazing thing so far is the look and how much it has cut down on outside noise. I highly recommend LAS and since they are local, from repairs to employing people, we keep it right here at home. We are very satisfied customers.