Miami-Dade County has seen its fair share of hurricanes, and with predictions of above average hurricane seasons to come, investing in hurricane shutters is a cost effective way to protect your family, your property and in many cases your wallet.

The Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office Product Control Section ensures that shutters meet the County's stringent code requirements.

Since code provisions were updated in 1994 after Hurricane Andrew, residents now have a variety of styles to choose from that can accommodate many different budgets, as well as house designs. All hurricane shutters approved for use in Miami-Dade County must undergo rigorous testing. Permits require shutters be stamped with "Miami-Dade County Product Control approved." Not all shutters sold in stores meet Miami-Dade County standards.

"The stamp indicates that the shutter has passed impact test requirements and structural wind requirements," said BCCO Product Control Chief Jaime Gascon. "By having received this Notice of Acceptance (NOA) it ensures that the shutter manufacturers are audited to verify the products they produce are identical to the ones they originally had tested and approved."

For shutters approved for use from the ground floor to 30 feet elevation, a large missile test must be passed. It consists of a nine-pound, two by four shot at the shutter at 50 feet per second or the equivalent of 34 miles per hour.

For shutters placed from 30 feet elevation to roof top, a small missile test is administered, which requires steel ball bearings shot at the shutters at 130 feet per second or 88 miles per hour.

Product Control Examiners review the manufacturer's plans and the test results from independent   laboratories and issue the NOAs if code provisions are met.

"Miami-Dade County has the most stringent code requirements in Florida for our protection," said Gascon. "Homeowners must remember that to ensure the optimal performance of shutters during a hurricane - do one final inspection after putting them up. No matter how strong shutters are, if they are not installed properly they will not withstand their tested standards."

Gascon also recommends keeping spare hardware like wing nuts or bolts on hand in case parts are damaged while putting up the shutters.

"Maintenance is also important to maintain the integrity of the shutter system and its shelf life," said Gascon. "Depending on shutter style, hose them down, oil moving parts and prevent rust from accumulating."

Gascon said that many insurance companies will offer a discount on premiums to homeowners who install Miami-Dade County approved hurricane   shutters.

"When considering what type of shutters to install, realize if you opt for shutters such as panels, you could be putting them up and taking down several times a hurricane season," said Gascon. "People get weary of doing this, but leaving them up for long periods of time is a life-safety issue because shutters can trap you in your home during a fire."

As with any construction job, always hire a licensed contractor to install shutters or perform repair work on your home.

A list of Miami-Dade County approved shutters can be found on BCCO's website at  www.miamidade.gov/buildingcode. Those without Internet access can call 3-1-1 or BCCO at 305.375.2901. Property owners can also verify license status and complaint histories of potential contractors on the website or through 3-1-1.