Testing protocol guideFind the test.
TEST METHODHow the laboratory applies and measures the test PASS CRITERIAThe result the code, rating, approval, or specification requires APPROVAL SCOPEThe exact sizes, components, anchors, pressures, and limitations the result covers
Find the test.
Understand the pass criteria.
Florida HVHZ and non-HVHZ approval pathways for TAS, ASTM, water, pressure cycles, safety glazing, architectural glass, and thermal performance.
Start with the approval route, not a list of tests.Product type, location, wind-borne debris exposure, impact protection strategy, design pressure, size, and installation determine which protocols apply.
01 / ROUTE MAP
Three distinct approval pathways.
The HVHZ is the code-defined geographic area comprising Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Impact protection is a separate requirement triggered by wind-borne debris exposure and opening conditions. A project may therefore be outside the HVHZ and still require impact protection.
HVHZ, unprotected impact resistant
TAS 201 + TAS 203 impact sequence; TAS 202 performance testingCore HVHZ testing for an unprotected impact-resistant assembly. TAS 201 and TAS 203 form the connected impact and post-impact cycle sequence. TAS 202 separately evaluates air, water, structural pressure, and forced-entry resistance where required. Miami-Dade approval also requires reviewed drawings, installation limits, quality assurance, and supporting evidence.
- Impact
- Air
- Water
- Structural
- Cycles
HVHZ, separate protection
TAS 202 + separately approved opening protectionAn assembly that is not impact resistant may use a separately approved opening-protection system where the code permits. The product and covering remain separate approved systems. Their opening size, substrate, anchors, installation limits, and approval scopes must be compatible.
- Air
- Water
- Structural
- Protection
Outside HVHZ
FBC product-specific routeOutside the HVHZ, the governing route depends on product type, code section, approval basis, and wind-borne debris exposure. Exterior windows and sliding doors are typically qualified through the adopted NAFS or TAS 202 route. Exterior side-hinged doors use NAFS or the applicable FBC Section 1709.5.2 route. Curtain walls, storefronts, entrance assemblies, and other exterior components may use code-permitted methods such as ASTM E330/E330M, with separate air, water, impact, and cycle testing where required. ASTM E283 and E331 alone do not create a product rating.
- Air
- Water
- Structural
- Impact when required
Code trigger
In a wind-borne debris region, glazed openings must be impact-resistant or protected by an approved impact-resistant covering. The applicable FBC edition, product type, location, and approval route determine whether the controlling basis is the HVHZ TAS sequence, ASTM E1886 with ASTM E1996, AAMA 506, ANSI/DASMA 115, or another code-permitted route.
02 / HVHZ PROTOCOLS
TAS is a connected test sequence.
An unprotected impact-resistant HVHZ qualification commonly requires all three TAS protocols, but they answer different questions. TAS 201 and TAS 203 form the connected impact and post-impact cycle sequence. TAS 202 separately evaluates air, water, structural pressure, and forced-entry resistance where required. Specimen construction, boundary conditions, and deviations must remain traceable across all reports.
Purpose
Challenges the glazed assembly, door, shutter, or protective system with the missile level and impact locations required by the applicable code and approval route.
What the laboratory controls
The laboratory builds the listed specimen, records the anchors, glazing, hardware, reinforcements, and supports, then applies the prescribed impacts at critical locations.
Evidence to preserve
Preserve the specimen drawings, impact locations, missile data, photos, damage observations, openings or tears, glazing retention, and every deviation from the approved construction.
Pass criteria
Under the 2023 Florida Building Code HVHZ route, LMI means large missile impact. Three complete assembled specimens, including their frames and anchorage, must each reject the two required impacts without penetration. The missile is a nominal 2 by 4 timber weighing 9 pounds. Standard impact speed is 50 feet per second. For Risk Category IV essential facilities up to and including 30 feet above grade, the speed is 80 feet per second; above 30 feet, Section 1626.3.1 requires large-missile testing at 50 feet per second. Impact survival alone is not a pass. The impacted specimens must then complete the Table 1626 positive and negative cyclic-pressure sequence with no air-passing crack longer than 5 inches and 1/16 inch wide. TAS 203 also requires no resultant failure or distress and at least 90 percent recovery from maximum deflection. See FBC 2023 Sections 1626.2.1 through 1626.3.1 and Table 1626, TAS 201 Section 12.1, and TAS 203 Sections 3.10 and 6.5.
Purpose
Evaluates air infiltration, water penetration, structural loading, deflection, permanent deformation, and forced-entry resistance where required by the product and approval route.
What the laboratory controls
The chamber, pressure taps, calibrated airflow, water rack, displacement instruments, specimen perimeter, anchorage, locks, and forced-entry apparatus where applicable must represent the proposed approval configuration.
Evidence to preserve
Preserve air leakage, water observations, pressure stages, deflection locations, residual deformation, glass and frame behavior, seal conditions, forced-entry sequence and observations where applicable, and the signed laboratory report.
Pass criteria
For the TAS 202 structural sequence, maintain each half-load and full positive and negative test load for the protocol-required 30 seconds. Separately, where FBC Section 1709.5.2 applies, test at 1.5 times the required ASD design pressure for at least 10 seconds. If the starting pressure is based on ASCE 7 ultimate design wind loads, multiply by 0.6 where the code permits before determining the allowable or nominal test pressure. Water and air results must satisfy the adopted protocol, rating, approval, or project acceptance criteria. Forced-entry requirements apply where required by the product route.
Purpose
Applies the required positive and negative pressure cycle sequence after impact when the impact-rated HVHZ route requires it.
What the laboratory controls
The specimen remains in its tested impact condition. The laboratory applies the protocol-defined pressure stages and cycles while monitoring distress, openings, disengagement, and loss of protection.
Evidence to preserve
Preserve the exact cycle schedule, pressure-time history, interruptions, repairs, component distress, final condition, and pass or fail basis. The current adopted protocol controls the cycle counts and pressure levels.
Pass criteria
The impacted specimens must complete the full positive and negative cycle schedule at the required pressures without specimen failure. TAS 203 identifies cracking, fastener loosening, local yielding, or loss of adhesive bond as signs of deterioration or incipient failure. The FBC acceptance route also controls prohibited openings and any permitted retest.
The adopted Florida Building Code, controlling protocol edition, product-specific criteria, approved laboratory plan, and authority having jurisdiction govern the specimen and test sequence. FBC Section 1709.5.2 is a separate qualification rule for assemblies it covers. Its 10-second structural hold does not replace the protocol-defined TAS 202 loading sequence.
03 / ASTM + FIELD METHODS
Each standard answers a different engineering question.
A structural test does not establish water resistance. A water test does not establish impact resistance. A field diagnostic does not replace a laboratory product qualification.
StandardQuestion answeredWhat the test doesPass criteria
Measures deflection, distress, and residual deformation under positive and negative pressure.
Method only. Pass at the FBC route means no structural failure at the required test pressure and duration. Project, approval, or product standard limits still govern deflection, permanent set, glass, hardware, and operability.
Measures air passing through a defined specimen area at a stated pressure difference.
Method only. Pass means measured leakage does not exceed the code, NAFS rating, approval, or project limit. The specimen area, operable joints, and perimeter treatment must match that basis.
Applies calibrated water while maintaining a uniform static pressure difference.
Pass means no water penetration as defined by the governing specification during the required pressure and duration. ASTM supplies the method. The project, product standard, or code supplies the pressure and acceptance basis.
Uses repeated static pressure periods with continuous water application.
Pass means no defined water penetration through the assembly at the specified pressure sequence. The specifying document controls pressure, cycle timing, test area, and permitted observations.
Procedure A addresses service-life cycling. Procedure B addresses a wind-event sequence.
Method only. Pass requires completing the specified cycles without failure or unacceptable distress, and satisfying the residual deformation, operability, and other limits written into the project or product specification.
E1886 provides the test procedure. E1996 supplies missile, impact, wind-zone, and pressure-cycle criteria.
Pass is determined by the paired standards plus the adopted code. The correct missile level, impacts, pressure schedule, and breach criteria must all be satisfied. E1886 alone does not create an impact rating.
Uses a chamber and calibrated spray to test an installed wall or fenestration area.
Pass means no water penetration within the tested area under the pressure, duration, area, and definition in the project specification. The result applies to the sampled installation and interfaces. It does not verify every installation condition on the project.
Measures air leakage through installed exterior windows and doors.
Method only. Pass means measured field leakage is within the specified allowance. The project must define the pressure, test boundary, area calculation, perimeter treatment, and allowable leakage rate.
GARAGE + ROLLING DOORS
The route changes with the product.
Florida Building Code Chapter 17 recognizes ANSI/DASMA 108, ASTM E330 Procedure A, or TAS 202 for structural qualification, with TAS 202 required in HVHZ. For wind-borne debris protection, Section 1609.1.2 points garage and rolling doors to ANSI/DASMA 115. ASTM E1996 expressly directs these products to that route.
04 / AAMA + NAFS
Ratings, laboratory methods, and field checks are not interchangeable.
FGIA and AAMA documents cover product ratings, dynamic water, localized diagnostics, field verification, and hurricane impact. Each has a different acceptance basis.
AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, North American Fenestration Standard/Specification (NAFS)
Rates windows, doors, and unit skylights for air, water, structural, operating, and other product requirements.
Pass criteria
Pass requires meeting every requirement for the claimed product type, Performance Class, and Performance Grade. A high structural result does not erase a lower water or air result.
AAMA 501.1
Uses a calibrated wind generator with water spray to test a specified laboratory mock-up or installed wall area under dynamic pressure.
Pass criteria
Pass means no defined water penetration at the specified dynamic pressure and exposure. The project specification sets the pressure and acceptance definition.
AAMA 501.2
Uses the prescribed hose-nozzle procedure as a localized quality-control and diagnostic check of installed joints.
Pass criteria
Pass means no water leakage at the joint segment under the prescribed nozzle check. It does not establish a whole-wall pressure rating and does not replace AAMA 501.1, 503, or ASTM E1105.
AAMA 502
Field verifies sampled newly installed fenestration products for air leakage and water penetration.
Pass criteria
Pass means the sampled installation meets the field air and water allowances tied to the specified or rated product performance. The adopted edition and project documents control sampling and permitted field allowances.
AAMA 503
Field verifies sampled newly installed storefronts, curtain walls, and sloped glazing for air and water performance.
Pass criteria
Pass means the sampled installed area meets the specified or rated level with the field allowances recognized by the adopted edition. Test pressure, area, sampling, and repairs must be documented.
AAMA 506
Rates fenestration resistance to hurricane debris impact and subsequent pressure cycling.
Pass criteria
Pass requires the selected impact and cycling level to be completed for the claimed rating and code route. The 2023 FBC references AAMA 506-16. A newer publisher edition is not automatically the adopted edition.
Every report should identify the governing acceptance source, test conditions, measured result, and applicable approval limits.
05 / WATER TESTING
Water testing exposes discontinuities in the drainage and seal path.
The pressure source, spray calibration, duration, drainage path, perimeter seal, specimen preparation, and definition of penetration must be fixed before testing begins.
Calibrated spray is applied while static pressure is maintained. TAS 202 requires at least 5 gallons per hour per square foot, at least 15 percent of design pressure, at least 15 minutes, and no water infiltration, subject to protocol exclusions. ASTM E331 uses the pressure and acceptance basis in the governing specification.
PASS: No defined water penetration during the required exposure.Repeated pressure periods expose wetting, drainage, and seal recovery behavior. The governing specification sets the pressure sequence and definition of penetration.
PASS: No defined water penetration through the assembly at the specified sequence.A calibrated wind generator applies dynamic pressure while water is sprayed onto the specified mock-up or installed wall area.
PASS: No defined water penetration at the specified dynamic pressure and exposure.Use the document matching the system and objective. ASTM E1105 supplies a chamber test method. AAMA 502 addresses newly installed fenestration products. AAMA 503 addresses installed storefront, curtain wall, and sloped glazing.
PASS: The sampled area meets the pressure, duration, sampling, and leakage allowance for the selected field method.The prescribed hose-nozzle procedure isolates leakage at local joints. It does not establish a whole-wall pressure rating.
PASS: No leakage at the tested joint segment under the prescribed procedure.06 / HUMAN IMPACT SAFETY
Hurricane impact and safety glazing are different tests.
TAS 201 and ASTM E1886/E1996 address wind-borne debris. ANSI Z97.1 and 16 CFR Part 1201 address accidental human impact and injury reduction at hazardous glazing locations.
IMPACT
GLAZING SPECIMEN
Pendulum impact and safe breakage behavior
A pendulum-type impactor strikes representative glazing. The evaluation addresses whether the glazing withstands impact or breaks in a manner that satisfies the applicable safety criteria. Classification, permanent marking, specimen construction, and the adopted edition must match the project.
PASS: Meet the required impact class and safe-breakage or retention criteria for the code-required location.Category I and Category II
The federal standard establishes architectural glazing safety requirements. Florida Building Code Chapter 24 identifies where ANSI Z97.1 or CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 applies. The required category depends on the product and exposed lite area. For applicable door glazing, the 9-square-foot threshold affects the Category I or Category II requirement. Other hazardous locations can have different requirements.
PASS: Meet the required Category I or Category II impact and breakage criteria for the hazardous location.07 / GLASS + MATERIAL STANDARDS
The glass specification is part of the load path.
Heat treatment, laminate construction, insulating glass make-up, support conditions, bite, edge clearance, gaskets, sealants, and retention must agree across the drawings, calculations, test specimen, and approval.
Flat-glass quality and dimensional requirements.
PASS CRITERIAPass requires the glass to meet the specified quality, dimensional, and blemish limits for its type and quality designation.
Heat-treated flat glass.
PASS CRITERIAPass requires the specified heat-strengthened or fully tempered glass to satisfy applicable flatness, surface compression, fragmentation, and other requirements. C1048 compliance does not establish safety-glazing compliance.
Laminated architectural flat glass.
PASS CRITERIAPass requires the specified laminated construction to meet applicable dimensional, visual, and quality requirements. Weathering and short-term heat or boil evaluations are addressed separately by ASTM C1900 and ASTM C1914.
Weathering and evaluation of laminated architectural glass.
PASS CRITERIAApply the adopted procedure and evaluation criteria to the specified laminated construction.
Short-term heat and boil exposures for laminated architectural flat glass.
PASS CRITERIAThe specified specimens must satisfy the applicable visual criteria after the prescribed exposure.
Glass load-resistance design practice.
PASS CRITERIAThis is a design practice, not a product test. Evaluate the specified glass construction, dimensions, support conditions, load duration, and probability-of-breakage basis within the practice's scope. Separately verify framing, retention, anchors, and connections.
Insulating glass durability.
PASS CRITERIAPass requires the specimens to satisfy the applicable frost or dew-point and fogging criteria after the prescribed weathering exposures. State the adopted edition and tested IGU construction.
Dense and cellular glazing gaskets and related elastomers.
PASS CRITERIAThese standards establish material or test-method requirements for specified gasket and elastomer products. Compliance does not by itself establish chemical compatibility, glazing bite, retention, or full-system performance. Verify those separately.
Elastomeric joint sealants.
PASS CRITERIAPass requires the specified type, grade, class, use, substrate, movement, adhesion, and durability requirements. C920 compliance does not qualify a sealant for structural silicone glazing.
Structural silicone sealants.
PASS CRITERIAPass requires the structural sealant to satisfy the specified material requirements. Structural bite, joint geometry, substrate adhesion, compatibility, design stress, cure, and full-system load transfer require separate project-specific verification.
SYSTEM CHECK
Compliance by an individual glass, gasket, or sealant material does not establish the tested capacity of the complete fenestration assembly. Verify framing, anchors, edge support, bite, retention, hardware, sealants, gaskets, and connections under the governing test and approval route.
08 / THERMAL QUALIFICATION
Separate the rating method from the project limit.
Whole-product U-factor, SHGC, and visible transmittance must follow the applicable NFRC rating procedure and certification basis. Center-of-glass values are not whole-product ratings. Project acceptance depends on the adopted energy code, climate zone, product label, and selected compliance path.
Whole-product U-factor
Heat transfer through the complete productFrame, edge, spacer, glazing, and product geometry contribute to the rating. Lower U-factor means less heat transfer. The procedure produces a rating; the code or project sets the maximum permitted value.
SHGC + visible transmittance
Solar gain and daylight through the complete productSHGC and VT are rated for the product configuration, not only the center of glass. Lower SHGC admits less solar heat. Higher VT admits more visible light. The governing compliance path determines the acceptable limits.
Code, label, and configuration
The method does not create a universal pass valueConfirm the adopted FBC Energy Conservation edition, climate zone, product category, opening configuration, certified label, and any project-specific limit before declaring compliance.
09 / EVIDENCE CHECKLIST
A passing test is only as useful as its evidence trail.
The final file should let an engineer, laboratory, evaluator, manufacturer, and building official reconstruct exactly what was tested and what the result covers.
- 01
Code edition, jurisdiction, product type, approval route, and acceptance criteria
- 02
Signed test plan, specimen matrix, sizes, pressures, cycle schedule, and impact level
- 03
Controlled drawings, bills of material, profiles, glass make-up, hardware, anchors, and reinforcements
- 04
Installation method, substrate, edge distance, embedment, perimeter seal, and boundary conditions
- 05
Instrument locations, calibration records, raw readings, pressure-time history, photos, and video
- 06
Observed leakage, damage, distress, repairs, substitutions, deviations, and laboratory disposition
- 07
Signed reports, engineering evaluation, approval or NOA, limitations of use, and approved installation instructions
MIAMI-DADE NOA
An NOA is the approved envelope around the test evidence.
A Notice of Acceptance is not one laboratory test. It reconciles the approved scope supported by test reports, evaluations, drawings, pressures, sizes, anchors, substrates, glass, hardware, impact route, quality assurance, installation instructions, and limitations of use. Evaluated configurations beyond an exact specimen are covered only where the approved evidence supports that scope. Substitution outside it is not automatically covered.
SOURCE STANDARDS
Read the controlling source and edition.
Use the code-adopted edition for qualification. A publisher may offer a newer edition that is not yet adopted. Reference review: July 2026. Confirm the edition adopted by the governing code, approval, specification, and authority having jurisdiction.
2023 Florida Building Code, Chapter 16Opening protection and wind-borne debris routes2023 FBC source2023 Florida Building Code, Chapter 17Exterior windows, doors, curtain walls, and testing2023 FBC source2023 Florida Building Code, Chapter 24Glass, glazing, safety glazing, and HVHZ provisions2023 FBC source2023 Florida Building Code, Chapter 35Referenced standards and editions adopted by the codeAdopted editions2023 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, Commercial Chapter 4Commercial envelope and fenestration requirementsCommercial code source2023 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, Residential Chapter 4Residential envelope and fenestration requirementsResidential code sourceTAS 201-94HVHZ impact test procedureAdopted protocolTAS 202-94HVHZ air, water, structural pressure, and forced-entry procedureAdopted protocolTAS 203-94Post-impact cyclic wind pressure procedureAdopted protocolASTM E06.51 subcommittee scopeWindow, door, curtain wall, and related test-method jurisdictionPublisher indexFGIA performance classesNAFS Performance Class, Performance Grade, and water test basisPublisher guidanceNAFS-26Latest publisher edition. Use the edition adopted by the governing FBC routeLatest publisher editionFGIA AAMA 501.2-25Latest diagnostic water leakage field check listed by the publisherLatest publisher editionFGIA AAMA 503-24Latest field specification listed for curtain wall and storefront air and water testingLatest publisher editionFGIA AAMA 506-23Latest publisher edition for impact and cycle ratingsLatest publisher editionFGIA AAMA 506-16Edition referenced by the 2023 FBC for impact and cycle ratings2023 FBC adopted editionANSI/DASMA 115Impact and cyclic pressure testing for garage and rolling doorsPublisher standardANSI Z97.1-2026Latest publisher edition. The 2023 FBC references ANSI Z97.1-2014Latest publisher edition16 CFR Part 1201Federal architectural glazing safety standardCurrent federal sourceNational Fenestration Rating CouncilWhole-product U-factor, SHGC, visible transmittance, and certification resourcesOfficial rating source
FROM PROTOCOL TO SPECIMEN
Begin with the evidence. Keep every material assumption explicit.
Windloads.ai maps the proposed system, evidence, and test route before the physical specimen is fabricated.
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