Each and every impact-resistant window and door model offered by CGI goes through the rigorous testing requirements set by Miami-Dade County, the toughest wind-borne debris standard in the world. Our hurricane-safe products are tested and comply with the tougher Large Missile standard.
Of the six testing criteria, there are two key elements to the wind-borne debris testing protocol:
1. The missile test (impact requirements)
• Large Missile (structures up to 30 feet)
• 2x4 missile weighing 9 pounds shot from a canon at 50 feet per second – two impacts
• Small Missile (structure from 30 feet and above)
• Ten 2 gram steel balls cannon test at 89 mph – three impacts
2. The cyclical Test (pressure requirements)
• 4,500 positive cycles in a pressure chamber
• 4,500 negative cycles in a pressure chamber
Note: The Cyclical Test pressure used varies between products and manufacturers. The stronger products are tested and pass higher pressure, which equates to higher wind resistance. The resulting test results are documented in terms of pounds per square foot (PSF).
Impact Code Approved
An impact window or door is only considered impact code approved if it has gone through the test requirements defined by an approved code body and received a Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or approval documentation. The pressure of the Cyclic Test used is documented in the approval shown as PSF (pounds per square foot). All NOA’s are public information and should be accessible through the various code bodies. For Miami-Dade you can go to their website at: www.miamidade.gov/buildingcode.
CGI Approvals
For a complete list of CGI impact code approved windows and doors; you can also visit the Miami-Dade building code website at: www.miamidade.gov/buildingcode/pc-search_app.asp.