Their doors should have added protection that can endure high-pressure winds of more than 110 mph.Ĭoastal areas in Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties are considered High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ). In particular, homes and buildings which are located within one mile from the coast are expected to comply with this requirement. There are only specific areas that are imposed to follow the specifications of the Florida Building Code and their local municipality for their protection against a hurricane. Impact doors are not required in all parts of Florida. This is what the Florida Building Code is trying to avoid that's why they require outward swinging doors among their residents. Under extreme circumstances, it can even cause your roof to be blown off due to extreme pressure inside your home. Occupants won't be injured and their belongings will be kept safe inside their homes.Īn inward opening door can easily be compromised with that level of force. Since they don't open inward, the people have an added layer of protection. It can cause tornadoes and send different objects even cars hurling through your house. With these specifications, they hope to ensure the safety of the people as well as their properties.Įntry doors that swing out are deemed to be safer especially in the context of hurricanes. This is aside from being impact-resistant. The Code is updated every 3 years based on the changing climate situation and the corresponding safety needs of the people.īased on the Florida Building Code, exterior doors of residents and business establishments should swing outward. Their properties were damaged beyond repair. Lives were lost and many were left homeless. There are specific requirements for those who will be constructing new houses, planning to have their homes remodeled, or when there's a change in occupancy.Īs mentioned above, this is in response to what happened in Florida when Hurricane Andrew struck in 1992. The main purpose of the Florida Building Code is to ensure the highest level of safety among the occupants of a given structure and prevent damage to properties. This is how Florida hopes to reduce the impact of extreme weather conditions.įlorida Building Code: Exterior Door Swing This will also prevent damage to properties as long as they're safely secure inside their homes. This type of door will keep the people safe because they won't open inward when there are strong winds. With Florida's vulnerability to weather disturbances, having safety measures like requiring an exterior swinging door is a great way to manage their disaster risks. It is surrounded by water, and hurricanes frequently pass by this area. In fact, they are prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms. The Sunshine State is also not so sunny for a major part of the year. The climate in Florida is either tropical (in the southern areas) or humid subtropical in its north and central parts. On its west side is the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The Sunshine State, being in the southeastern region of the country, is surrounded by bodies of water. The code is also tied to Florida's location and climate. This is how the Florida Building Code came to be. Hurricane Andrew exposed the deficiencies in the existing building codes, poor implementation on the part of state officials, and lack of compliance among property owners. Homes, businesses, and properties were heavily damaged. The building code in Florida has evolved so much since Hurricane Andrew devastated a large part of the state in August 1992.Īlthough it wasn't the deadliest natural disaster, Florida paid for it dearly by incurring the worst insurance crisis in US history. This is applicable to both residential and commercial establishments. It was in 2002 when they adopted a new statewide code, one that would include requiring exterior doors to swing outward for the people's safety. They say Florida has one of the strictest building codes in America. Why Do Exterior Doors Swing Out In Florida?
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