What is the HVHZ?
The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone is a designation in the Florida Building Code that covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Buildings here have to meet stricter requirements for wind resistance and impact than the rest of Florida, with specific rules for how roofs are built, tested and inspected.
These rules trace back to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which destroyed or damaged well over 100,000 homes in south Miami-Dade. Investigations afterward found that many roofs failed because of weak products and poor installation. Miami-Dade responded with a rigorous product testing and approval system, and the HVHZ provisions grew out of that.
What is a Notice of Acceptance (NOA)?
A Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance is a product approval. It shows that a roofing product, such as a tile, shingle, metal panel, underlayment or adhesive, was tested and approved for use in the HVHZ. An NOA lists more than the product name. It spells out:
- The exact product and manufacturer.
- Where and how it can be used, such as roof slope and deck type.
- The approved installation method, including fasteners, spacing and adhesives.
- The wind uplift resistance it achieved in testing.
- An expiration date. Approvals have to be renewed.
Why it matters for your roof
An NOA is only as good as the installation. A top-rated tile set with the wrong adhesive pattern, or a metal panel with the wrong clip spacing, doesn't match its approval. In the HVHZ, the permit application includes product approvals, and inspectors check the work against them.
Questions to ask any roofer
- Are all the products you're installing covered by current Miami-Dade NOAs?
- Will you pull the permit in your company's name?
- What's your state license number? You can verify it with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Ours is CCC1330874.
- Will you re-nail the deck and install secondary water resistance?
Outside Miami-Dade and Broward
Places like Port St. Lucie aren't in the HVHZ, but the Florida Building Code still requires wind-resistant design based on local wind speeds. Florida Product Approval is the statewide system there, and many products carry both approvals.
Ready to talk about your roof? Get a free estimate.
This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Codes and laws change, so confirm details with your local building department, insurance agent or attorney.