Florida’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone Product-Approval Process

This course was initially presented at the 2022 International Trade Show and Convention in Orlando, FL. 

The presentation will provide general information on the High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) section of the 2020 Florida Building Code and its requirements for building systems and components. Attendees will learn about the product-approval process in Miami-Dade County as well as the requirements for the issuance of a notice of acceptance (NOA) for components and systems comprising a structure’s enclosure. Additionally, it will serve to provide an understanding of Florida Building Code—Test Protocols for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones and how it pertains to said components/systems. Lastly, the presenters will provide guidance on how to use, to interpret the limits of use of, the NOA.

The seminar will be separated into sections including:

• History of the Florida Building Code’s HVHZ section
• Miami-Dade product-control requirements for fenestration and cladding components and systems
• Miami-Dade -product-control requirements for roofing components and systems

Jaime D. Gascon is the county’s board and code administration division director and oversees the Board of Rules and Appeals, Unsafe Structures Board, and the Construction Trades Qualifying Board.  He manages the certification of all county and municipal code officials, issuance of Miami-Dade County’s NOA, and issuance of local contractor licenses. His team of Sr. Code Officers for the trades of building, structural, roofing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy, and flood serve to maintain and uphold the uniform enforcement of the building code. Prior to this post, he served as the building official for the Unincorporated Miami-Dade County area, and previously headed the Product Control Section as supervisor. He has over 25 years of construction experience related to the building envelope components and the building codes. He joined the county in 1994 and worked as a product control inspector when the Miami-Dade County’s South Florida Building Code was being revamped. He is a state of Florida professional engineer, and he is currently a member of the Structural Technical Advisory Committee to the Florida Building Commission.

Alex Tigera has over 20 years of experience in product approvals with Miami-Dade County. Over 15 of those years has been focused on roofing products. During his career as a roofing product control examiner, he has specialized in steep slope roof systems with a high focus on roof tile systems, asphalt shingles, and the ever-growing non-structural metal roofing systems. Alex has worked alongside various industries in helping develop, maintain, and educate manufacturers on the product approval process. Alex was an integral part in the development of the Jobsite Roll-former Association Program, Roofing Fastener and Batten Plate Listing Program, and the Miami-Dade e-permitting program. , Alex is also involved in the code modification process and acts as a liaison for research and development entities, including his alma mater Florida International University’s Wall of Wind (WOW).