It is not possible to simulate an actual hurricane in a laboratory situation, nor is it possible to take into account all the factors that affect wind speeds and pressures. In order to establish a universal standard, Dade County requires a window (or door, skylight or shutter) to remain intact when impacted by a 9-pound missile flying at 34 mph and when subjected to pressure equal to 1-1/4 times that at which the product may be used in the field.

Dade County also requires that windows and skylights be pressure tested to 4,500 inward and outward wind pressure cycles (for a total of 9,000 pressure bursts). This is intended to simulate a hurricane wind flow against a building as the eye of the storm passes. (Doors and shutters are tested to 671 cycles.) Dade County will allow neither window sizes larger than those tested nor glazing thickness less than those with which the units were tested and approved.