Maimi Dade - Doesn't Mess Around. These Testing Standards Are The Toughest On Planet Earth...
There’s Florida Storm Protection… and then there’s Miami-Dade Storm Protection
— and believe me, they are not the same thing.
What so Important About Miami Dade and Motorized Hurricane Screens?
If ASTM is the national standard for testing building products, Miami-Dade County is the special forces unit. When you see something labeled as “Miami-Dade approved” or "Miami-Dade Complient", it means it has survived the most intense, unforgiving tests in the industry. It’s the difference between passing a driving test and qualifying for NASCAR. This county doesn’t just expect your motorized hurricane screen to hold up — it expects it to take a beating, get back up, and do it again. And again.
So why does Miami-Dade take things so seriously?
Because this region sits in what’s called a High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — where storms don’t just visit… they live. Building codes in this region are some of the toughest in the world, and the testing standards that go with them? Even tougher.
When it comes to Hurricane Screen and Motorized Hurricane Screen Here are the Testing Criteria That Mater The Most:
Let’s talk about the three that matter most for your hurricane screen: TAS 201, TAS 202, and TAS 203. These tests make up the Florida trifecta for storm-rated certification.
First comes the TAS 201: The impact test.
A 2x4 wood plank is shot at high speed toward your screen system — not to simulate a hypothetical scenario, but to replicate what actually happens when a hurricane picks up roof shingles, fence posts, or tree limbs and turns them into missiles. If your screen breaks, tears, or collapses? It fails.
Then comes TAS 202: The static pressure test.
This is where they simulate the continuous wind force of a major hurricane pushing against your screen for hours. The product is subjected to high-pressure loads that simulate real-world gusts and wall-pushing winds. It’s not about “sort of holding up.” It’s about holding — period.
Finally, there’s TAS 203: And this one that separates the pretenders from the professionals.
This test simulates cyclic wind loads — the kind you get when a storm breathes. Gust after gust. In, out. Push, pull. Again and again. TAS 203 ensures that your screen isn’t just a one-hit wonder. It proves that the screen can endure sustained punishment and still protect your home without detaching, flexing to failure, or creating weak points.
When a product passes all three of these tests — TAS 201, 202, and 203 — it earns the title “Miami-Dade Approved.” That approval is your proof that the system can take real-world damage, and it’s one of the highest certifications any screen can achieve.
Here Is The Ungly Truth About Motorized Hurricane Screens:
The truth: not all screens on the market go through this testing. Some may be “hurricane-rated” in a general sense — maybe they passed a wind test in a lab somewhere. But they haven’t been through the gauntlet. They haven’t taken a 2x4 to the face, stood against Category 5 wind pressure, or been tortured with pressure cycles for hours.
So if you’re in Florida — especially in areas like Broward, Miami-Dade, or coastal Central Florida — don’t settle for a screen that’s simply “rated.” Demand one that’s approved. Look for the Notice of Acceptance (NOA) from Miami-Dade or the Florida Product Approval Number. These aren’t just technical documents — they’re your insurance that someone took the time to test your screen in the worst-case scenario before it was ever installed on your lanai.
Because in Florida, storms aren’t theoretical. Know the code. Know the difference. Be storm-ready.
Cited & Referenced Sources for Post 3
Miami-Dade County Product Control
Miami-Dade Product Control – Search Portal for Notices of Acceptance (NOA)
🔗 https://www.miamidade.gov/building/pc-search_app.asp
— Official portal to verify if a hurricane protection product (screens, windows, doors) has passed TAS 201, 202, and 203 and earned Miami-Dade NOA approval.
TAS Testing Protocol Descriptions (Technical Bulletins & Requirements)
🔗 https://www.miamidade.gov/building/library/design-guidelines/testrptreq.pdf
— Defines TAS 201 (Impact), TAS 202 (Static Pressure), and TAS 203 (Cyclic Load) in detail.
Florida Building Code (FBC) & Statewide Certification
Florida Product Approval System – Statewide Product Certification Search
🔗 https://www.floridabuilding.org/pr/pr_app_srch.aspx
— Verifies if a screen system is approved for use under the Florida Building Code, especially in HVHZ zones.
Florida Building Code: HVHZ Zone Definitions & Requirements
🔗 https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/florida
— Contains regulatory info on wind zones, storm load requirements, and required product approvals.
Relevant Manufacturers & Testing Providers
Progressive Screens – MagnaTrack Hurricane Screens
🔗 https://progressivescreens.com/
— Manufacturer of motorized hurricane screen systems tested to meet or exceed TAS and ASTM standards.
Intertek – Third-Party TAS Testing Provider
🔗 https://www.intertek.com/building/impact/
— Describes their Miami-Dade and Florida Product Approval testing services, including TAS 201/202/203 protocols.
