Storm Impact Windows and Doors

U.S. Bullet Proofing is your premier source for high-security aluminum storm impact windows and doors. Our products are engineered, built, and certified to withstand the damage created by violent storms, including tornadoes and hurricanes. This design means you can be certain your property will be protected even during the most severe weather events. Our line of storm windows and storm doors includes our USAW 400 Window System and USAD 1000 Doors, which are rigorously tested to meet industry standards, including ICC-500 and FEMA 361.

Our storm-resistant windows and doors prevent wind, debris, and water from entering a building during a storm, reducing the risk of any structural damage and ensuring the facility continues to protect the people and property inside.

Certified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), U.S. Bullet Proofing’s USAW 400B windows and USAD 1000 door systems are tested to ICC-500 and FEMA 361 standards. Products must go through rigorous testing, including pressure testing and high wind impacts, to ensure they can withstand and protect from the most violent storms with the highest wind speeds encountered in nature, with speeds up to 250 mph.

To learn more about Storm Impact Standards and Testing, visit the Storm Impact Standards section of our website.

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What Are FEMA 361 Standards?

FEMA 361 is a set of standards, guidelines, and requirements published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These rules are the trusted standards for designing, constructing, and testing extreme weather safe rooms. FEMA 361 defines the elements of safe rooms to provide what FEMA defines as “near-absolute protection” for people during hurricanes, tornadoes, and similar weather events.

FEMA 361 applies to various materials for constructing these rooms, including hurricane windows and doors. The testing standards define what is tested and how the tests are conducted. Materials may undergo tests for:

  • Structural integrity.
  • Wind speed calculations.
  • Continuous load path engineering.
  • Windborne debris resistance.

The standards to meet vary based on the building’s wind zone and the region’s relevant threats. For example, buildings in tornado zones need missile impact testing and static pressure testing for tornado shelter doors and windows. Conversely, buildings in regions prone to hurricanes need cycle testing to ensure hurricane windows can withstand prolonged exposure to the elements.

What Are ICC-500 Standards?

ICC-500 is the companion code standard for FEMA 361 developed by the International Code Council (ICC). Local and state authorities adopt and enforce ICC standards, so compliance is legally required.

ICC-500 and FEMA 361 are complementary, creating comprehensive storm shelter construction guidelines. The key difference is that FEMA 361 has higher wind speed and impact requirements, so doors that meet FEMA standards meet ICC-500 standards as well.

What Is a FEMA Door or Window?

FEMA windows and doors are designed and tested to ensure compliance with FEMA 361 and ICC-500. Doors and windows that have been tested to these ratings must be able to:

  • Withstand a Category 5 hurricane or EF5 tornado and the accompanying winds and flying debris.
  • Stop the penetration of debris through the glass.
  • Withstand winds up to 250 mph.
  • Have no spall on the window interior.
  • Keep the glass in the frame.
  • Keep the frame securely in the opening.

This level of protection is why public buildings that have community safe rooms — including emergency operations centers, schools, and police stations — install tornado shelter windows and doors that meet these standards.

Though FEMA does not approve or certify products, tornado doors can meet or exceed FEMA 361 and ICC-500 criteria, backed by independent or in-house testing by qualified engineers.

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