An impact-rated skylight is a roof-mounted glazing unit that has been tested and certified to resist wind-borne debris in Miami-Dade's 180 MPH High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Every skylight installed in the HVHZ must pass TAS 201 large missile testing, carry an active Notice of Acceptance (NOA), and meet or exceed the calculated design pressures for the specific roof zone. This guide covers flat, dome, and tubular skylight types, their NOA-certified performance ratings, and the compliance checkpoints that separate a passed inspection from a costly rejection.
Each gauge represents the overall HVHZ compliance readiness of a skylight category. Scores factor in typical DP ratings, impact certification availability, NOA product count, and installation complexity in Miami-Dade's 180 MPH zone.
Each compliance checkpoint gets a green (pass), yellow (conditional), or red (fail) signal. These reflect the real-world inspection outcomes reported by Miami-Dade building inspectors for skylight installations in the HVHZ.
The path to HVHZ approval differs significantly depending on whether you are specifying a fixed flat-glass skylight, an acrylic dome unit, or a tubular daylighting device. Each form factor has distinct structural characteristics that affect impact resistance, design pressure, and the number of NOA-approved products available.
Fixed flat-glass skylights use laminated glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or SentryGlas Plus (SGP) interlayer sandwiched between two glass lites. The laminated construction holds the glazing together on impact, preventing debris penetration even when the outer lite shatters. This category has the most NOA-approved products for HVHZ installation and achieves the highest design pressure ratings because the rigid glass-to-frame connection distributes wind loads evenly across the sash perimeter.
Dome skylights use a curved polycarbonate or acrylic lens mounted on a raised curb. The dome shape deflects wind-borne debris at oblique angles, but the plastic glazing material deforms more under sustained wind pressure than glass. Fewer dome products carry Miami-Dade NOA certification because achieving large missile impact resistance requires thicker multi-wall polycarbonate construction, which increases cost and reduces light transmission. When an NOA-approved dome is available, it typically suits commercial low-slope applications where the skylight sits within a factory-built curb assembly.
Tubular skylights, also called sun tunnels or TDDs, capture roof-level daylight through a small dome and pipe it through a reflective tube to a diffuser lens at the ceiling. The small dome diameter (typically 10 or 14 inches) means the glazed opening in the roof envelope is compact, which inherently improves impact resistance and achieves higher DP ratings per unit area. Velux is the dominant manufacturer for HVHZ-approved tubular skylights, with their rigid and flexible tube models both carrying active NOA certification. The small penetration also simplifies flashing and reduces the risk of water intrusion.
The Miami-Dade Testing Application Standards define the specific projectile impacts and pressure cycling sequences that separate HVHZ-approved skylights from standard products. Understanding these tests helps specify the right product and avoid costly substitution failures.
| Test Standard | Test Description | Projectile / Load | Pass Criteria | Relevance to Skylights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAS 201 | Large Missile Impact | 9 lb 2x4 lumber at 50 fps (34 mph) | Primary test — the 2x4 simulates airborne construction debris striking the skylight at hurricane speed | |
| TAS 202 | Small Missile Impact | 10 steel balls (2g each) at 130 fps (89 mph) | Simulates gravel, roof tile fragments, and small wind-borne debris at high velocity | |
| TAS 203 | Cyclic Pressure Loading | 9,000 cycles at design pressure | Post-impact test — verifies damaged skylight still resists sustained wind loading after debris strike | |
| ASTM E1886/E1996 | FBC Statewide Impact | Varies by wind zone (may use smaller missile) | Acceptable statewide but NOT sufficient for HVHZ — must use TAS 201/202/203 for Miami-Dade |
Critical distinction: A skylight tested only to ASTM E1886/E1996 may carry a valid Florida Product Approval (FL number) but still fail Miami-Dade HVHZ compliance. The HVHZ requires testing specifically to TAS 201, TAS 202, and TAS 203. Always verify that the NOA document references these three TAS standards, not just ASTM test methods. The Miami-Dade Product Control Division search tool at miamidade.gov/building/pc-search_app.asp is the authoritative source for verifying active NOA status.
One of the most expensive mistakes in South Florida construction is assuming a state-level Florida Building Code product approval covers the Miami-Dade HVHZ. These are two separate certification tracks with different testing requirements, different approval bodies, and different consequences for non-compliance.
The statewide Florida Product Approval system assigns an FL number to building products that demonstrate compliance with the Florida Building Code. For impact-rated products, this typically requires testing to ASTM E1886 and ASTM E1996. The missile impact requirements under ASTM E1996 vary by wind zone: the Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area requires a large missile test, but the specific projectile weight, velocity, and number of specimens can differ from the TAS standards. Products with only an FL number are approved for use across Florida except in the HVHZ.
The Miami-Dade NOA is a local product approval issued by the Miami-Dade County Product Control Division. It requires testing to TAS 201, TAS 202, and TAS 203 specifically, which define the exact projectile specifications, impact locations, and post-impact pressure cycling sequences. The NOA also specifies approved installation details, including fastener types, spacing, sealant requirements, and flashing configurations. The NOA is mandatory for any product installed in the HVHZ, which encompasses all of Miami-Dade County and portions of Broward County. An NOA has a defined expiration date, typically 5 years from issuance, and must be renewed through re-testing or evaluation extension.
The practical impact: A Velux FCM fixed skylight might carry FL number FL-38459 for statewide use. But to install that same skylight in Miami-Dade, you need the specific model configuration that also carries an active NOA. Not all sizes and glazing options that are FL-approved will have corresponding NOA approval. Specify the NOA number on your permit submittal, not the FL number.
These are the installation and specification errors that Miami-Dade building inspectors flag most frequently on skylight projects. Each one results in a failed inspection, re-work costs, and project delays.
The most common failure. A contractor orders a standard skylight from a national supplier without verifying HVHZ impact certification. The unit arrives, gets installed, and fails inspection because it has no NOA with TAS 201 large missile rating. The entire unit must be removed and replaced.
The skylight carries a valid FL product approval number but no Miami-Dade NOA. The contractor submits the FL number on the permit application, which gets rejected at plan review. This delays the project 2-3 weeks while a compliant product is sourced.
The product once had a valid NOA, but the approval expired before the permit application was submitted. Miami-Dade treats an expired NOA the same as no NOA at all. The product must be verified against the current NOA database, not against old project files or outdated spec sheets.
The skylight has a valid NOA but its tested design pressure rating is lower than the calculated wind load for the specific roof zone. Skylights in roof corner zones (Zone 3 per ASCE 7-22) experience significantly higher uplift pressures than field-of-roof zones. A skylight rated at +45/-55 psf may fail in a corner zone requiring +60/-75 psf.
FBC Section 2610.2 requires skylight curbs on low-slope roofs (less than 3:12 pitch) to extend a minimum of 4 inches above the finished roof surface. Curbs that sit too low allow water pooling at the skylight perimeter, and inspectors measure this dimension during the roof inspection.
The skylight unit is correct but the flashing installation does not match the approved flashing detail shown in the NOA document. The NOA specifies exact flashing materials, overlap dimensions, and sealant types. Substituting generic flashing or modifying the approved detail triggers an inspection failure because the tested assembly integrity is compromised.
Not every national skylight brand offers products with active Miami-Dade NOA certification. The market for HVHZ-rated skylights is smaller and more specialized than the general skylight market. These manufacturers maintain active NOA approvals for skylight products suitable for the 180 MPH design wind speed zone.
| Manufacturer | Product Types | Typical DP Rating | Impact Cert. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velux | Fixed flat, venting, tubular (TMR/TMF) | +55 to +75 psf | Largest HVHZ skylight portfolio; FCM and FS series with impact glazing | |
| Sun-Tek | Fixed flat, dome, curb-mount | +45 to +65 psf | Strong commercial/dome lineup; popular for flat-roof commercial in HVHZ | |
| Wasco (div. of Velux) | Fixed flat, commercial curb-mount | +50 to +70 psf | Commercial-grade aluminum frames; large format options for HVHZ | |
| Sunoptics (div. of Acuity) | Prismatic dome, commercial | +40 to +55 psf | Prismatic daylighting; not all models carry HVHZ impact NOA | |
| Solatube | Tubular daylighting devices | +50 to +65 psf | 160 DS and 290 DS series; verify HVHZ-specific dome version |
Skylights are classified as components and cladding (C&C) under ASCE 7-22. The calculated design pressure depends on the skylight's location on the roof surface, which falls into one of three zones with dramatically different pressure coefficients.
ASCE 7-22 divides the roof surface into three zones for component and cladding pressure calculations. Zone 1 (interior/field of roof) experiences the lowest pressures. Zone 2 (edges/eaves) sees higher pressures due to flow separation at the roof perimeter. Zone 3 (corners) experiences the highest pressures where two edges of wind flow separation converge. The zone boundaries are defined by a dimension equal to 10% of the least horizontal dimension of the building or 40% of the mean roof height, whichever is smaller, but not less than 4% of the least horizontal dimension or 3 feet.
For a typical single-story residential structure in Miami-Dade (180 MPH basic wind speed, Exposure C, mean roof height 15 feet, Risk Category II), the approximate C&C pressures for skylights are:
| Roof Zone | Positive Pressure | Negative Pressure (Uplift) | Flat Glass (Best DP) | Dome (Best DP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (Field) | +30 to +40 psf | -45 to -60 psf | ||
| Zone 2 (Edge) | +35 to +50 psf | -60 to -80 psf | ||
| Zone 3 (Corner) | +40 to +60 psf | -75 to -100 psf | ||
| Zone 3, 2+ Stories, Exp D | +55 to +75 psf | -90 to -120 psf |
Design guidance: Avoid placing skylights in roof Zone 3 (corners) whenever possible. The dramatic increase in negative (uplift) pressure at corners severely limits the skylight products that can meet the calculated design pressure. If a skylight must be located near a roof corner, select the smallest available unit size to maximize the achievable DP rating. For buildings taller than one story in Exposure D, skylight placement should be restricted to Zone 1 (field of roof) to ensure a compliant product selection exists.
The Miami-Dade Building Department reviews skylight installations as part of the roofing or glazing permit. The permit package must demonstrate that the product, its installation, and the wind load calculations all align with HVHZ requirements.
Calculate component and cladding pressures per ASCE 7-22 for the specific roof zone where the skylight will be located. Include the skylight's effective wind area (tributary area), building mean roof height, exposure category, and topographic factor. The resulting positive and negative DP values establish the minimum performance threshold the skylight must meet.
Select a skylight product whose NOA-listed design pressure ratings meet or exceed every calculated value from Step 1. Verify the NOA is active (not expired) and covers the specific size, glazing type, and frame configuration you intend to install. The NOA document must show large and small missile impact certification to TAS 201/202/203.
Assemble the permit application with: signed and sealed wind load calculations, the complete NOA document (all pages including installation details), a roof plan showing the skylight location with zone boundaries marked, and the manufacturer's installation guide specific to the NOA-approved configuration. For re-roofing projects, include the roofing permit coordination.
The Miami-Dade plan reviewer verifies that the NOA is active, the DP rating meets or exceeds the calculated loads, the skylight location falls within an acceptable roof zone for the selected product, and the installation detail matches the NOA-approved method. Common review comments include requests for updated NOA documents or recalculated pressures.
Install the skylight exactly as shown in the NOA installation detail. This includes the curb construction (height, material, fastener pattern), flashing sequence (step flashing, counter flashing, sealant placement), glazing gaskets, and any required structural reinforcement at the roof opening. Do not modify the approved assembly or substitute flashing materials.
The building inspector verifies: the installed skylight model matches the NOA number on the approved plans, the curb height meets minimum 4-inch requirement (FBC 2610.2), flashing matches the NOA detail, the NOA approval sticker is visible on the skylight frame, and any required fall protection is in place. A water test may be required for commercial installations. Passed inspection leads to permit closeout.
Detailed answers to the questions architects, contractors, and homeowners ask most about specifying and installing impact-rated skylights in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.
The right skylight starts with the right pressure number. Calculate the exact component and cladding wind pressures for your roof zone at 180 MPH, then match to an NOA-approved product that delivers the DP rating your project demands.
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