My Florida Safe Home

The following are seven potential wind-resistance improvements that are listed in your free wind inspection report. However, not all of these improvements are eligible for matching grant assistance under the new law. For the specific improvements that are eligible for matching grant funds, click here.

Improving the strength of your roof deck attachment. For example, if your roof consists of shingles nailed to plywood sheets, the inspection may reveal that the plywood sheets are not adequately nailed to your roof trusses, and that additional nails and/or longer nails need to be added to prevent the plywood from being blown off in a hurricane.

Creating a secondary water barrier to prevent water intrusion. For example, using strips of “peel and stick-on” material that cover the joints between the plywood sheets on your roof to reduce leakage until repairs can be made if a hurricane blows off your roof shingles.

Improving the survivability of your roof covering. For example, upgrading to thicker and stronger hurricane-resistant roof shingles, attached with properly sized and properly applied roofing nails, to reduce the susceptibility of your roof shingles blowing off in a hurricane.

Bracing gable-ends in your roof framing. This is usually done inside your attic to decrease chances that your roof will collapse under hurricane wind loads.

Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections. For example, installing metal tie-down straps that attach roof rafters to wall studs to decrease chances that all or a portion of your roof will simply lift off your house during a hurricane.

Upgrading exterior wall opening protections. For example, installing hurricane-rated window shutters.

Upgrading exterior doors. For example, replacing a standard garage door with a hurricane-rated garage door.

MIAMI-DADE VS. FLORIDA BUILDING CODE
After Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992, Miami-Dade, Broward, and unincorporated Palm Beach counties passed building codes that required new homes to be built with opening protection (impact-resistant windows and doors, or impact-resistant coverings, such as shutters, for windows and doors). These codes also included standards for how opening protection products would be tested and approved for use. Products approved by the Miami-Dade Building Code pass the strictest tests in the country for windborne debris, pressure and water.

Today, the Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is the best way to be sure the products you buy pass the strictest tests in the country for windborne debris, pressure, and water. If you are eligible to receive grant funds under the My Safe Florida Home program, you are only required to use products approved by either the Florida Building Code or the Miami-Dade Building Code, whichever is applicable to your home's location.

To learn whether a product you are considering has received approval by the Florida Building Code or the Miami-Dade Building Code, visit the organizations' respective websites at:

Florida Building Commission: http://www.floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx -- Click on “Product Approval” and choose among your menu options.

Miami-Dade Building Code: www.miamidade.gov/buildingcode/ -- Look for the Search Approved Products tab under Product Control on the site’s menu.