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Miami-Dade Approved Transaction Windows
Miami-Dade County in southern Florida has developed renowned testing methods created to withstand the High Velocity Hurricane Zone in which the county resides. One cannot simply blow hard to simulate a hurricane that typically billows at an average of 140 mph, so these tests include both a large and small ballistic missile test.
When a product earns the title of “Miami-Dade Approved,” this indicates the product’s durability to withstand the specific and rigorous testing methods developed to withstand the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. We know that this status brings greater security and peace of mind to your employees, products, and business, which is why several of our transaction windows are "Miami-Dade Approved."
The following is directly quoted from the Miami-Dade government website http://www.miamidade.gov/building/testing.asp which describes in detail the rigors your transaction windows from Covenant Security Equipment undergo in order to obtain the title of “Miami-Dade Approved”:
Large Missile Test
- The large missile failure criteria is a rupture in the specimen with dimensions greater than 1/16" by 5" per Ordinance 93-141, constitutes a failure. For storm shutters, a separation as described in question 55 is allowed.
- The failure criteria for a glazed product when using the large missile test are as stated in Ordinance 93-141, which states "an opening greater than 1/16" by 5" where air can pass". Note: If the opening is not evident upon impact but it is evident upon completion of the cycling, the specimen passed the impact but failed the cycling.
- The large missile cannon can be fired at a vertical angle to compensate for the missile drop causing a perpendicular impact to the specimen. The front of the barrel can be shimmed to cause a perpendicular impact to the specimen.
- A 5-inch radius circle where the large missile can impact in, for all of the specified locations of impact, is not allowed. The impacts that clearly state to hit the "meeting rail", "joint", or "valley" must impact in those locations. A 5-inch radius must not be used in those impacts.
- The 5" radius mentioned in the South Florida Building Code section 2315.1(e) was established as a tolerance. The referenced section clearly states that the missile is to impact within the described circle. Should a missile fail to impact the sample "within" the prescribed circle, the shot will not be accepted and the shot is to be repeated.
- The following are acceptable and unacceptable shots depicted as 1 and 2, respectively. Locations specified for impact such as but not limited to meeting rails, mullions, valleys, and seams do not have an established tolerance. Therefore, the specified location is to be impacted.
Small Missile Test
A specimen will fail if the small missile goes through.
When the small missile test is required:
- When prior to impact the specimen has an opening that a 3/16" sphere can pass, and this opening is perpendicular to the trajectory of the missiles being shot. Also, it is required for products to be installed above 30 feet in elevation and are not to require any protection device.
- All 10 small missiles must be fired at once at the required speed for which only the speed of one has to be measured.
After the large missile test:
- The small missile test is performed on the same specimen as used in the large missile test.
- The small missiles are aimed at the same area as where the large missile impacted; this being the center of the specimen and 6 inches from one corner. Also, Ordinance 93-141 requires a third small missile impact "distributed uniformly over a two square foot area located at the center of the long dimension of the specimen near the edge".
Covenant Security Equipment carries five "Miami-Dade Approved" windows, all manufactured with 3/4” insulated storm glass. If you have any questions about our windows or are interested in purchasing a "Miami-Dade Approved" window, contact us at sales@covenantsecurityequipment.com.