Hurricane-Resistant Standards

As of June 10th, 2025

As Florida approaches the 2025 hurricane season, recent updates to the Florida Building Code (FBC) are influencing construction practices across the state. These changes have significant implications for steel fabrication, particularly for companies like Apex Metal Fabricators that specialize in structural steel components.

Updates to the Florida Building Code

The FBC has incorporated several enhancements aimed at improving building resilience against hurricanes:

Sealed Roof Deck Requirements: Statewide adoption of sealed roof deck mandates enhances protection against water intrusion during storms.
Enhanced Wind Load Design: The code now references ASCE 7-16 standards, requiring structures to withstand higher wind speeds, especially in High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ) like Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Impact Resistance for Building Envelopes: Beyond windows and doors, the FBC emphasizes impact resistance for entire building envelopes, including exterior walls, to mitigate damage from wind-borne debris.

Implications for Steel Fabrication

For steel fabrication companies, these code enhancements necessitate adjustments in design and production:

Material Selection: Increased demand for corrosion-resistant materials, such as galvanized or stainless steel, is anticipated, especially for coastal projects.
Design Specifications: Structural components must be engineered to meet higher wind load requirements, influencing factors like connection details and member sizing.
Product Approvals: Fabricated products may require Florida Product Approvals or Miami-Dade Notices of Acceptance (NOAs) to ensure compliance with the updated code.

Our Response

At Apex Metal Fabricators, we are proactively adapting to these code changes to ensure our clients receive compliant and resilient steel components. Our team stays informed on regulatory updates and collaborates closely with engineers and builders to deliver solutions that meet the stringent requirements of the FBC.