Hurricane Protection Disclaimer
Hurricane Proof Film?
I remember many years ago serving as one of the directors
for the International Window Film Association and at the
same time on what use to be called the "Ethics"
committee, whereas we would contact certain dealers that
were just too zealous in their advertising, claiming such
things as Hurricane Proof, No need for shutters, there
was even one guy stating bullet proof your windows, a
claim I assure you he would not stand behind
(literally) and while all of this is wrong, on the other
hand we have the shutters and impact windows people stating
(for obvious reasons) that film and nothing is one and
the same, which makes them just as wrong. So to clear
up the controversy I'd like to share with you the truth
of what film does and does not do:
1. Film does NOT make your home
or office hurricane "proof"
Then again nothing does, you will find that there is
not one company that sells shutters and/or impact glass
that can tell you or better yet put in writing that once
their product is installed you are now hurricane PROOF.
What film does offer is tremendous protection at a very
cost effective price. In fact, one of the best features
on safety film is the fact that it is always on, giving
the customer 24 hour protection not only against storms
that are announced but those that are not, as we know
so well in South Florida, while offering of course vandalism
protection as a fringe benefit.
2. Film does NOT have a Metro-Dade
Code Compliance number
That's right, so... especially for new construction film
cannot take the place of shutters and/or impact glass.
but please allow me to throw some ironies at you...
- Most film manufacturers have passed many of metro Dade
protocol tests for hurricane wind and impact tests. Such
as the TAS-201,202,203 which involves a plethora of impact,
wind and cycling tests, in fact some manufacturers have
even passed the large missile cat c which in simple lay
terms involves a 4.5lb 2x4 bouncing off a regular slider
at a speed of 40 ft per second, in fact again, there is
a specific manufacturer that has passed a test called
the ASTM-E330 at a pressure of 260psf, ladies and gentlemen
that is equivalent to 322mph! (executed and recorded in
a metro-dade certified laboratory) but the way the code
is set up, none of this has any validity.
- Film does not have a metro dade compliance number but
it is our film that was allowed in lieu of shutters by
the City of Coral Gables for a luxury Condo Building called
Segovia Towers, further irony is that Metro-Dade's own
Courthouse Center has no shutters but our film for storm
protection.
-Florida Statue even has a provision for Film involving
Condos:
The board may, subject to the provisions of s. 718.3026,
and the approval of a majority of voting interests of
the condominium, install hurricane shutters and may maintain,
repair, or replace such approved hurricane shutters, whether
on or within common elements, limited common elements,
units, or association property. However, where laminated
glass or window film architecturally designed to function
as hurricane protection which complies with the applicable
building code has been installed, the board may not install
hurricane shutters.
3. Film May or May NOT bring
you an insurance discount:
In recent cases we have found that getting your discount
or not has a lot to do with your insurance agent and/or
home inspectors knowledge of what film can truly accomplish,
that's why we urge you to see for yourself, ask for the
manufacture's certified tests and compare it to your insurance
affidavit, get your insurance agent involved and most
of the times you'll find that a discount is not only deserved
but a must. As we speak leaders of the window film industry
are making sure that all of these issues are clarified.
4. Bottom Line... Get The Facts
and Weigh your Options and Costs
My advise to you is get as much information as you can,
weigh the total costs, the options and if you go with
a film system make sure that an anchoring system is included,
this will help in giving you an extra edge of protection,
make sure the company is licensed and insured and has
not only experience and proper references but more importantly
the proper backing from the manufacturer.
In closing, there is still so much unsaid, for example
what happens to those who live in buildings where shutters
are impossible to install and impact glass cost prohibitive
or the elderly that can't afford physically or financially
shutters and/or impact glass or even historic buildings
where shutters can be a eye sore and impact glass can
be a construction nightmare, in many of these cases a
security film system is not only the right solution it's
the only one.
Rafael Fernandez
President -Confianza Window Tinting
Former director of the International Window Film Assoc
Former instructor for the AIA and Founder of 3M's Advisory
Council for the Window Film Division.
