Hurricane Shutter Guidelines
Hurricane Shutter Guidelines
Installation and Removal:
There is currently no state legislation or county ordinance governing hurricane shutter installation and removal, but be sure to check with your community association(s) for specific rules and regulations governing your community.
Safety:
Martin County Fire Rescue strongly recommends the removal of shutters when the storm threat is over. The ability for families to safely evacuate a fully shuttered home in a fire emergency is greatly reduced. Emergency response and rescue will also be delayed if installed shutters hamper the ability to gain access into the home. Create an emergency egress plan for the family, to include when shutters are installed. Review NFPA 101 7.5.2.3 Hurricane Protection devices code requirements for egress.
Hurricane Shutter Procedures
Martin County adopted the Florida Fire Prevention Code 6th edition as of December 31, 2017 in accordance with Florida Statute 633 Fire Prevention and Control. The purpose of this code is to prescribe minimum requirements necessary to establish a reasonable level of fire and life safety and property protection from the hazards created by fire, explosion and dangerous conditions.
The code reads as follows:
NFPA 101 7.5.2.3 Hurricane Protection Devices. The temporary installation or closure of storm shutters, panels, and other approved hurricane protection devices shall be permitted on emergency escape and rescue openings in residential occupancies during the threat of a storm. Such devices shall not be required to comply with the operational constraints of 7.2.1.5. While such protection is provided, at least one means of escape from each occupied unit shall be within the first floor of the unit and shall not be located within a garage. Occupants in any part of the unit shall be able to access the means of escape without passing through a lockable door not under their control.
Occupied structures – In dwellings or dwelling units of two rooms or more, every sleeping room and every living area shall have not less than one primary means of escape and one secondary means of escape. (NFPA 101 24.2.2.1.1)
The Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Florida Building Code are interrelated in governing construction and life safety systems for the protection of all Florida residents and emergency responders. Neither code addresses requirements for hurricane protection devices for unoccupied structures before, during or after the threat of a storm.
The adopted codes or local ordinances are the minimum requirements regulated by the local authority. Rules or requirements adopted by residential or commercial associations are not regulated by local authority as long as they are not less stringent than the adopted code.