A Complete Guide for Homeowners in Broward County

In Pompano Beach, preparing your home for hurricane season means understanding more than just wind speeds and storm paths, it means knowing your building code requirements for hurricane doors. These standards exist to protect lives, reduce property damage, and ensure homes can withstand South Florida’s intense hurricane conditions.

Pompano Beach is located in Broward County, which falls within the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) under the Florida Building Code (FBC). This designation carries some of the strictest storm protection rules in the state, especially for doors, windows, and other glazed openings designed to resist hurricane forces.

What the Florida Building Code Requires in High-Velocity Hurricane Zones

Impact-Rated Products or Equivalent Protection

Under the Florida Building Code, external openings in homes and buildings located in wind-borne debris regions, including Broward County, must be protected using impact-resistant products or approved coverings. This includes all exterior doors such as entry doors, sliding glass doors, and other glazed door systems.

Impact doors must meet rigorous impact resistance and structural performance tests to be code-compliant. These requirements help ensure that doors do not fail under high winds, debris impact, or severe pressure changes during hurricanes.

HVHZ and Pompano Beach: What It Means for Your Home

Pompano Beach is considered part of the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone according to the Florida Building Code and wind speed maps, which are designed to reflect the highest wind exposure and risk. In this zone:

Impact-rated protection is mandatory for doors and windows
Products must carry valid certification from approved testing standards
Permits must be obtained before installation
Final inspections are required to confirm compliance

Because of Pompano Beach’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and position along Florida’s hurricane-prone coastline, standards are applied strictly to ensure structures meet the highest safety criteria.

Testing and Certification for Hurricane Doors

Impact doors in Pompano Beach must undergo specific testing to demonstrate compliance with the Florida Building Code. Doors used in HVHZ locations must typically meet large missile impact tests, cyclical pressure testing, and other structural performance criteria established by recognized organizations. These tests simulate windborne debris impacts and sustained hurricane wind pressures to ensure the product will hold up during actual storm events.

Once tested, compliant hurricane doors receive certification, often documented with a Florida Product Approval number or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA), that must be submitted with your permit application in Pompano Beach.

Permits and Local Compliance in Pompano Beach

Replacing or installing hurricane doors in Pompano Beach is not a cosmetic change, it’s considered structural work, which means:

A building permit is required under the Florida Building Code
Your contractor must submit the proper product approvals
Window and door systems must be listed on the application
Inspections are scheduled through the city’s Building Department

Skipping the permitting process can result in construction fines, failed inspections when selling or refinancing, and even denied insurance claims after storm damage. The permitting process ensures your installation aligns with local safety requirements and FBC standards.

Installation and Inspection Requirements

After submitting your permit application and product documentation, the city will issue a permit provided all requirements are met. Once your hurricane doors are installed, additional inspections are required to verify:

The correct product was installed
Installation followed manufacturer instructions
The system meets FBC structural and impact standards

Proper installation is critical. Even the highest-rated hurricane door will not perform correctly if installed incorrectly. The inspection process protects homeowners by catching issues that could lead to product failure during a storm.

Additional Considerations for Pompano Beach Owners

Egress and Door Swing

Some elements of the Florida Building Code, such as minimum egress requirements, still apply. For example, certain exterior doors may be required to swing outward for safety according to door code guidelines in high-wind regions.

Alternate Protection Methods

While impact doors are the most permanent solution, the Florida Building Code does allow alternate protection methods (such as approved shutters) in some situations, but they must also meet code standards. As a rule, impact-rated products are the easiest way to comply and maintain ongoing protection.

Why Code Compliance Matters

Following Pompano Beach’s hurricane door requirements isn’t just about meeting regulations:

It saves lives by ensuring openings remain intact during storms
It protects home value and structural integrity
It helps maintain insurance eligibility and discounts
It avoids fines and costly rework due to permit violations

The Florida Building Code is updated regularly, so working with experienced local professionals ensures your hurricane doors are installed correctly according to the latest standards.

Work With a Licensed Hurricane Door Installer in Pompano Beach

Understanding Pompano Beach building code requirements is one thing. Ensuring your hurricane doors are properly selected, permitted, and installed according to Florida Building Code standards is another.

Caner Impact Windows & Doors handles the entire process, including product approvals, engineering documentation, permit applications, and final inspections. Our team installs certified hurricane door systems that meet High-Velocity Hurricane Zone requirements for homes throughout Pompano Beach.

If you are planning to replace or upgrade your exterior doors, schedule a consultation with our team to ensure your installation is fully compliant and built to withstand South Florida storms.