One of the most common questions we get from our customers is, “What is the difference between an Impact & Wind Rated Shutter and a Wind Only Rated Shutter?”
In short, the difference between the two is the testing and consequently, the materials and components used to manufacture the shutter. As one might assume, an Impact & Wind Rated Shutter has passed more stringent tests and is held to higher standards than a Wind Only Rated Shutter. Let’s break it down!
What is an Impact & Wind Rated Shutter?
For Impact & Wind Rated Approval, Florida Building Code (FBC) follows the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to test performance of materials under certain conditions.
There are three standards used:
1. ASTM E330 – 02 Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference.
“This test method is a standard procedure for determining structural performance under uniform static air pressure difference. This typically is intended to represent the effects of a wind load on exterior building surface elements. The actual loading on building surfaces is quite complex, varying with wind direction, time, height above ground, building shape, terrain, surrounding structures, and other factors.”
2. ASTM E1996 – 02 Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes
“This specification covers exterior windows, glazed curtain walls, doors and impact protective systems used in buildings located in geographic regions that are prone to hurricanes. Qualification under this specification provides a basis for judgment of the ability of applicable elements of the building envelope to remain unbreached during a hurricane; thereby minimizing the damaging effects of hurricanes on the building interior and reducing the magnitude of internal pressurization. While this standard was developed for hurricanes, it may be used for other types of similar windstorms capable of generating windborne debris.”
3. ASTM E1886 – 05 Standard Test Method for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure Differentials
“This test method determines the performance of exterior windows, curtain walls, doors, and impact protective systems impacted by missile(s) and subsequently subjected to cyclic static pressure differentials. A missile propulsion device, an air pressure system, and a test chamber are used to model some conditions which may be representative of windborne debris and pressures in a windstorm environment. This test method is applicable to the design of entire fenestration or impact protection systems assemblies and their installation. The performance determined by this test method relates to the ability of elements of the building envelope to remain unbreached during a windstorm.”
What is a Wind Only Rated Shutter?
For Wind Only Rated Approval, Florida Building Code (FBC) follows the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to test performance of materials under certain conditions.
There is one standard used is ASTM E330 – 02(2010) Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference.
ASTM E330-02 “This test method is a standard procedure for determining structural performance under uniform static air pressure difference. This typically is intended to represent the effects of a wind load on exterior building surface elements. The actual loading on building surfaces is quite complex, varying with wind direction, time, height above ground, building shape, terrain, surrounding structures, and other factors.”
Sources: American Society for Testing and Materials
