If the shade is canvas, then it must meet the 75-mph wind requirements per South Florida Building Code. If the shade is rigid, it must comply with PA202.

If your company has an existing product approval in Dade County by ASCE 7-88 submitted under rational analysis, it will be honored for the full life of the approval beyond September 1, 1994. To renew the product approval, a structural load test per PA202 is what will have to be performed, where the applicable pressures are to those of ASCE 7-88 based on 75 miles per hour. Also, a permanent label shall be affixed to the sun shades currently approved as well as those latter approved that reads the following: WARNING: THIS IS NOT AN APPROVED HURRICANE PROTECTION DEVICE. DURING A HURRICANE THIS PRODUCT MAY BECOME A HAZARD AND IT MUST BE REMOVED AND STORED IN A SAFE PLACE. Please note that this category of products will still require a product approval in order to be used in Dade County.

First, the awning needs to be tested to PA202 only. The three required samples may be tested on wood and shall be attached along the top and at the single lateral support. The awning needs to be pressurized and the following method of attachment to the wood shall be followed.

Note that the awning may not be supported other than the particular design of the awning. Alternate procedures can be presented to the Building Code Compliance Office in the form of a proposal.

Second, rational analysis will be allowed on the supporting tube and on the masonry anchors using all specifications provided by the anchor manufacturer.

Third, it is required that you test the largest sample. This refers to both height and span due to the particular design of this product having both vertical and lateral structural elements.

All the requirements of shutters apply to awnings to be used as shutters and the impact locations shall be as in Question 66 for the multiple straps or bolts diagram. The samples shall be the largest you want approval for and shall be impacted and cycled on masonry. The static loading can be performed on wood, and verification of the supporting tube may be submitted under rational analysis.