If you shop for hurricane shutters in Florida, you will see the letters "NOA" everywhere. A Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance is one of the most demanding product approvals in the country for building products exposed to hurricanes. Understanding what an NOA is, what testing stands behind it, and how to read one can save you from buying a product that will not pass inspection or will not protect your building.
What Is a Miami-Dade NOA?
A Notice of Acceptance is a document issued by the Product Control Section of Miami-Dade County's building department. It states that a specific product, built and installed exactly as described, has been reviewed and accepted for use in Miami-Dade County. Products covered include windows, doors, skylights, roofing and hurricane shutters.
Miami-Dade and neighboring Broward County make up the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) of the Florida Building Code. The HVHZ requirements were developed after Hurricane Andrew struck south Florida in 1992 and exposed how poorly many buildings and storm products performed. Because these requirements are strict, an NOA is widely recognized well beyond south Florida, and building officials in other areas often accept it as evidence of performance, at the discretion of the local authority having jurisdiction.
Outside the HVHZ, Florida also has a statewide product approval system. Products may carry a Florida Product Approval number (often shown as "FL" followed by digits), which can be based on different test standards. A product may have an NOA, a Florida approval, or both.
The Tests Behind an NOA
Hurricane shutters seeking approval for the HVHZ are typically tested under three Florida Building Code testing application standards, known as TAS protocols:
TAS 201 – Large missile impact
The shutter is struck by a large missile: a piece of 2x4 lumber fired from an air cannon to simulate debris carried by hurricane winds. The test checks whether the missile penetrates the shutter and how much the shutter deflects toward the glass behind it.
TAS 202 – Uniform static air pressure
The product is loaded with steady positive (pushing) and negative (pulling) air pressure to confirm it can resist the design pressures being claimed, and in some product types water and air infiltration and forced entry are checked as well.
TAS 203 – Cyclic wind pressure
Hurricane winds do not push once; they gust and swirl for hours. After impact, the shutter goes through thousands of cycles of alternating positive and negative pressure to show that it still holds together and stays attached after being damaged.
Testing is carried out by approved independent laboratories, and the results, drawings and engineering calculations are reviewed by county engineers before an NOA is issued.
How to Read a Hurricane Shutter NOA
An NOA is more than a certificate; it is a set of conditions. When you or your contractor review one, look for these items:
- Product description and approved drawings. The NOA refers to specific drawings showing materials, dimensions, fasteners and anchors. The installed product must match them.
- Maximum sizes and design pressures. Approvals list how large each unit can be and the positive and negative pressures it is rated for at each size. Larger spans usually carry lower ratings. Read more in design pressure ratings explained.
- Anchoring to the building. Fastener types, spacing and embedment depend on the wall material, such as concrete, concrete block or wood framing.
- Separation from glass. Shutters flex under impact, so the NOA specifies the minimum distance between the shutter and the glass it protects.
- Limitations and expiration. NOAs are issued for a set period and must be renewed. Check that the approval is current and that any revisions apply to the product you are buying.
Miami-Dade publishes approved NOAs online, so you can verify an approval number directly with the county before you buy.
Common Misunderstandings
"Approved" does not mean approved for any size. A product approved for small windows may not be approved for a large sliding door. The size and pressure tables are what count.
The installation is part of the approval. Using the wrong anchors or skipping the required number of fasteners can void the approval and lead to failed inspections or, worse, a failed shutter in a storm.
An NOA is not the same as an essential facility rating. Buildings such as hospitals and emergency operations centers often need enhanced impact protection beyond the basic requirement. Our article on ASTM E1996 missile levels and Level E explains the difference.
NOAs and STORM SHIELD
STORM SHIELD Hurricane Barriers were developed specifically to pass the hurricane simulation tests created by Miami-Dade County, and the system has been tested and approved under Miami-Dade product control, the Florida Building Code and the Texas Department of Insurance over the years. Past approvals referenced in our news archive include NOA 03-0606.03, 03-0606.04 and 01-0604.03. Because approvals are periodically renewed and revised, always ask for the current approval documents that apply to your opening sizes. You can request specifications and certification details for your project, and read about STORM SHIELD performance and testing.
Practical Checklist
- Ask the supplier for the approval number (NOA or Florida Product Approval) and verify it online.
- Confirm the approval is current and covers your product type and opening sizes.
- Compare the rated design pressures with the pressures required for your building, as calculated by your designer or permit documents.
- Check the required anchors for your wall type and the minimum separation from the glass.
- Keep a copy of the approval with your permit and inspection records, and for your insurance company.
Conclusion
A Miami-Dade NOA tells you that a hurricane shutter has passed demanding impact and pressure tests and that its design has been reviewed by county engineers. To benefit from that approval, the product must be used within its listed sizes and pressures and installed exactly as described. Taking a few minutes to read the NOA, or asking your supplier to walk you through it, is one of the best ways to make sure your shutters will perform when it matters.