PA Testing Protocols are the testing criteria used by Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office and the South Florida Building Code (Section 23). Since March 2002, this testing protocol is superseded with the Florida state unified building code. TAS Protocol is Florida Building Code’s Test Protocol for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones.

What are TAS 201-94, TAS 202-94 and TAS 203-94?

    TAS 201-94 is the protocol that covers procedures for conducting the impact test as required by Section 1626 of the Florida Building Code.

    TAS 202-94 is the protocol that covers procedures for conducting a uniform static air pressure test.

    TAS 203-94 is the protocol that covers procedures for conducting cyclic wind pressure loading test required by FBC and TAS 201-94.      Impact products are required to undergone a +/-4500 cycle test.

What is the Impact Test and what is large and small-missile resistant?

The Miami-Dade Building Code requires that every exterior opening - residential or commercial - be provided with protection against wind-borne debris caused by hurricanes. Such protection could either be shutters or impact-resistant products. There are two types of impact-resistant products: large-missile resistant and small- missile resistant.

A. Large-missile resistant
A product exposed to various impacts with a piece of lumber weighing approximately 9 pounds, measuring 2" x 4" x 9’ in size, traveling at a speed of 50 feet per second (34 mph). Then the product is subjected to hurricane loading of 9,000 wind cycles, positive and negative.

B. Small-missile resistant
A product that has been exposed to various impacts with 10 ball bearings traveling at a speed of 80 feet per second (50 mph). The product is then subjected to wind loads for 9,000 cycles.  If the doors and windows are more than 30 feet from the ground then they must be either large or small missile compliant.