Stories from STORM SHIELD projects and press coverage over the years – from state and county emergency operations centers to schools and private homes. For current guidance on codes and product selection, visit our hurricane protection articles.
EXETER STORM SHIELD™ Offers Hurricane Protection for Windows and Doors at a Higher Level
Bonnie Burke had grown tired of the arduous process of preparing for hurricane after hurricane. With her husband often on the road for work, the responsibility of protecting their Palm City, Florida home for incoming hurricanes often fell on her shoulders. The ever increasing burden of her time and labor, not to mention the cost of plywood and other less than adequate hurricane protection, had taken its toll.
"We started looking for a product we could choose to leave in place year round, and provided more protection than just plywood," remarked Burke. "Then we found STORM SHIELD™ Hurricane Barriers on the internet. Not only could the product protect our doors and windows during a storm, it did it with minimum preparation and effort."
After riding out Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004, and Wilma in 2005, the Burke residence emerged unscathed with their STORM SHIELD™ protected windows and doors intact, despite the rigors of three hurricane eyes in just over a year. The residence was fitted with a variety of different STORM SHIELD™ product offerings custom made out of a super strong perforated metal infill. Quicker and easier to install than corrugated panels, STORM SHIELD™ provided an easy one-time installation done by the homeowner.
Exeter Architectural Products invented the concept of the see-thru hurricane shutter when they introduced their patented STORM SHIELD™ system in 1994. STORM SHIELD™ was designed to provide a higher level of hurricane protection. In fact, STORM SHIELD™ was able to meet and exceed the FEMA recommended code for critical infrastructure, ASTM E1996 Level E protection criteria, years before this code was enacted. While successfully protecting government facilities, hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings, Exeter also found that protecting private residences at these higher levels is just as critical.
"No one should have to ride out a hurricane in a plywood box or aluminum can," said Harold Flack, President of Exeter Architectural Products. "Our research indicates that people find this experience extremely traumatic. STORM SHIELD™ allows light in, provides excellent visibility, and the secure feeling of knowing that your windows and doors will remain intact."
Additionally, when left in place, STORM SHIELD™ Hurricane Barriers provide physical security, prevent vandalism, and lessen solar heat gain by deflecting 50% of harmful UV rays, while giving the impression of tinted glass. STORM SHIELD™ Hurricane Barriers have a pleasing aesthetic quality and have been the only form of hurricane protection approved for a number of high profile historic projects.
"We were worried that our Homeowners' Association wouldn't approve," said Burke, "but when we learned that it was approved for Vizcaya, we knew we found the right hurricane shutter system."
Reference: NOA 03-0606.03, 03-0606.04, and 01-0604.03. For more information or to purchase STORM SHIELD™ Hurricane Barriers, contact Exeter Architectural Products.
Florida Construction News – A Success Story
Exeter's STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers
STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers were selected by county officials for the new Dade County Emergency Operations Center in Miami, a project scheduled for completion in April 2000. Nick Michalisin, Vice President of Exeter Architectural Products, said at the time, "While working with county officials on this project, it became paramount early on that the new Dade County Emergency Operations Center have the same level of protection that we provided for the State of Florida Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. We are looking forward to completing the project on time so that the new center is operational well before the 2000 hurricane season begins."
Exeter's patented STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barrier System is a unique shutter system for doors and windows. It is the only Metro Dade approved product that uses InvisiPerf as the shutter media. This revolutionary concept in shutter protection is designed for maximum occupant comfort. Intensive research studies in visual perception enabled Exeter to develop this unique shutter system that features strong physical protection without obstructing views or compromising aesthetics or safety.
STORM SHIELD performance plus features offer superior value and unique advantages to users. Multiple performance shutters designed for function and value provide storm protection from flying objects and wind borne debris, security protection deterring intruders or vandals, and sun protection reducing unwanted solar heat gain by almost 50%.
Exeter Architectural Products is the exclusive manufacturer of STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers. These unique features and its proprietary design combined into one product have qualified Exeter to be the designated sole source supplier on many government and municipal projects throughout the coastal region. STORM SHIELD is custom manufactured on a building by building basis to fit specific window openings and architectural conditions. Narrow and equal sight lines incorporated into the framing system are compatible with all types of glazing systems and building designs. The first sensible severe weather protection you can see thru has been recognized and approved for use by the Dade County Historical Review Board, the State of Florida and FEMA.
Safer Schools in Hurricanes – Bay County, Florida
As reported by MSNBC, Panama City, FL. Bay County schools were set to see changes that would make the buildings a bit safer in severe weather. Much of the damage caused during a hurricane is not from the wind itself, but from debris crashing through windows and doors. Putting up plywood or hurricane shutters is one option to help protect buildings, but there was now a new way to have permanent protection: STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers, made by Exeter Architectural Products, paid for by FEMA with money allocated after Hurricane Opal.
EOC planner Jon Fillinger said that by the next hurricane season most of Bay County's schools and some municipal buildings would have them. The barriers don't have to be put up every hurricane season; they stay up 365 days a year. They're built like a screen, unlike other hurricane shutters, so you can see through them. They are easy enough to open that parents don't have to worry about their children being unable to get out if they're not around. Fillinger hoped that by getting these in place, Bay County could avoid much of the damage later. The county budgeted about $2.7 million to cover the windows in all of the buildings.
FEMA Project Impact Partnership
Exeter was proud to support FEMA's Project Impact: Building a Disaster Resistant Community as a corporate partner. In a letter dated March 25, 1999, FEMA Director James L. Witt thanked Exeter Vice President Nick Michalisin for the company's commitment to Project Impact and to the citizens and businesses of Deerfield Beach, Florida, noting that "Project Impact could not be as successful as it has been without the private sector partnerships that have developed" and that "by preventing the amount of destruction brought forth by natural disasters we are building a disaster resistant America."