Urban Legends
Urban Legends:
Win Work and Security Window Film
Gotcha Shuttered is committed to educating our customers and helping them make informed decisions. At the present time, Gotcha Shuttered does not offer any Security Window Film as a solution for hurricane protection. This decision was made after reading the test results posted by the Florida Building Code.
Security Film as Hurricane Protection is a myth:
“As of the summer of 2005, the IWFA is not aware of any security window film product that has successfully passed the Large Missile (9 lb. 2×4) Impact Test followed by the cyclic loading test.”
The new 2004 Florida Building Code (FBC) became effective on October 1, 2005. Any product, including window film, must be tested and approved per FBC Section 1609.1.4. Section 1609.1.4 states that windows (glazed openings) and doors with windows shall be impact resistant (such as laminated glass) or shall be protected with an impact resistant covering (such as shutters or other approved product) meeting the impact testing requirements of any one of
the following approved test methods:
SSTD 12 -99
ASTM E 1886 and ASTM E 1996
Miami-Dade TAS 201, 202 and 203
IMPACT TESTS REQUIREMENTS -
Each of these three impact tests listed above has two types of missile tests – The Large Missile Test and the Small Missile Test, and each missile test is followed by a series of over 4000 positive and negative pressure cycles:
The Large Missile test is a 9 lb. 2×4 which impacts the test specimen at 50 feet per second, which is intended to apply to glazed openings located within 30 feet (9.1 m) of grade and is appropriate for buildings located in wind speed zones over 100 mph. (It is important to note that some of the test methods also have a reduced Large Missile Test consisting of a 4 lb. 2×4 which is intended to apply to buildings located in up to 100 mile wind speed zones – see map below)
The Small Missile test is two grams of solid steel balls each which impact the test specimen at 130 feet per second, which is intended to apply to openings located more than 30 feet (9.1 m) above grade.
Cyclic Wind Loading Test –
INWARD ACTING PRESSURE OUTWARD ACTING PRESSURE
RANGE NUMBER OF CYCLES 1 RANGE NUMBER OF CYCLES 1
0.2 P MAX to 0.5 P MAX 23,500
0.3 P MAX to 1.0 P MAX 50
0.0 P MAX to 0.6 P MAX 300
0.5 P MAX to 0.8 P MAX 1,050
0.5 P MAX to 0.8 P MAX 600
0.0 P MAX to 0.6 P MAX 50
0.3 P MAX to 1.0 P MAX 100
0.2 P MAX to 0.5 P MAX 3,350
A product is deemed to have passed with the Large Missile Impact Test if three test specimens reject two out of three Large Missile impacts without penetration and resists the cyclic pressure loading with no crack forming longer than 5 inches (127 mm) and 1 / 16 inch (1.6 mm) wide through which air can pass.
A product is deemed to have passed with the Small Missile Test if three test specimens reject the small missile impacts without penetration and resist the cyclic pressure loading with no crack forming longer than 5 inches (127 mm) and 1 / 16 inch (1.6 mm) in width through which air can pass.
As of the summer of 2005, the IWFA is not aware of any security window film product that has successfully passed the Large Missile (9 lb. 2×4) Impact Test followed by the cyclic loading test. Such a product, if it exists, would meet the new building code requirements for glazed openings in the lower 30 feet of new construction in Palm Beach County. One very important note: meeting the impact part of the test without meeting the cycling part of the test is not approval as being code-compliant, but may only demonstrate some lesser protection level.
Click a link for more information:
Plastic Plywood, Win Worxx ETC:
Buying anything that is not an approved system from the State of Florida is wasting your money and dangerous for safety of your family. Yet at every trade show I attend, these Vendors have customers lined up to check out these new products. At this time it is legal to sell these products, but is it ethical? Not at all especially when you realize these products are targeted to the elderly on fixed incomes and the money they spent could have gone towards a legitimate product. The main product I am referring about is called WIN-WORXX and is co-marketed by the Scooter Store on Highway 98. Click here to see their advertisement »
Do not waste your money on these products. Your insurance company will not recognize these as hurricane protection and you will be required to buy a legitimate system for your home. Contact your local Building Official for more assistance.
Please note: Do not confuse with the approved system: Storm Busters which is approved if you install correctly
Urban Legends: Win Work and Security Window Film Gotcha Shuttered is committed to educating our customers and helping them make informed decisions. At the present time, Gotcha Shuttered does not offer any Security Window Film as a solution for hurricane protection. This decision was made after reading the test results posted by the Florida Building Code.