If you're building in Florida, every window, door, storefront system, and curtainwall unit installed in a permitted project needs a Florida Product Approval. This isn't optional. It's not a formality. It's a hard requirement under the Florida Building Code — and missing it can stop your project in its tracks.
What Is a Florida Product Approval?
A Florida Product Approval (FL PA) is the state's certification that a specific building product has been tested and meets the requirements of the Florida Building Code.
Think of it like a product's ID card. Before any glazing product can be legally installed in a permitted Florida building, the manufacturer must go through a testing and approval process. The product gets tested at a state-approved laboratory. The test results are submitted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The DBPR issues an approval number — the FL PA number.
That number is what your glazing sub references in the submittal package when they pull a permit. Without a valid FL PA number, the product cannot be legally installed.
What Products Need an FL PA?
Under Florida law (Chapter 553, Florida Statutes), the following products require approval before installation:
- Windows and sliding glass doors
- Commercial storefronts
- Curtainwall systems
- Window wall systems
- Impact-resistant glazing assemblies
- Skylights and roof windows
- Glass block systems
- Automatic entrance door systems (for wind resistance)
The approval covers the entire assembly — not just the glass, and not just the frame. The specific glass makeup, frame dimensions, anchorage details, and installation method are all part of the approval. If your glazing sub substitutes a different glass makeup or changes the frame size, the existing FL PA may no longer apply, and the product may need to be re-tested or re-approved.
What the FL PA Number Looks Like
Florida Product Approval numbers have a specific format: FL XXXXX-RX
- FL = Florida Product Approval
- XXXXX = 5-digit product number assigned by DBPR
- RX = revision number (R1, R2, R3, etc.) — indicating the version of the approval
For example: FL 12345-R3. Always verify that the revision number on the submittal matches the current valid revision in the DBPR database. Older revisions may be expired.
How to Look Up a Florida Product Approval
The DBPR maintains a searchable online database of all current Florida Product Approvals. You can access it at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.
To look up an approval, you can search by:
- FL PA number (if you have it)
- Manufacturer name
- Product category
- Product name or model number
When reviewing a FL PA, check:
- Expiration date — approvals expire and must be renewed. An expired FL PA is not valid.
- Approved configurations — each FL PA lists specific approved sizes, glass makeups, and installation conditions. The product as installed must match an approved configuration.
- Limitations — some approvals have geographic or wind speed limitations. A product approved for 130 mph cannot be used in a location with a 150 mph design wind speed.
FL PA vs. Miami-Dade NOA — What's the Difference?
This is one of the most common points of confusion in Florida glazing. Here's the distinction:
Florida Product Approval (FL PA)
Issued by the state DBPR. Valid throughout all 67 Florida counties for projects outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Based on testing to Florida Building Code requirements.
Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA)
Issued by Miami-Dade County's Product Control Section. Required for all projects in Miami-Dade and Broward counties (the HVHZ). NOA testing is stricter than statewide FL PA requirements — it uses the TAS (Testing Application Standards) protocol, which is more rigorous than standard ASTM testing.
Key point: A product with a Miami-Dade NOA is accepted statewide (the NOA satisfies FL PA requirements). But a product with only a statewide FL PA may not meet HVHZ standards. For Miami-Dade and Broward projects, always verify the NOA specifically.
See our guide on Florida building code for commercial windows in 2026 for more on HVHZ requirements and how they affect your project.
The Submittal Process
When your glazing sub pulls a permit, they submit a package to the building department that includes:
- The FL PA number for every glazing product being installed
- The specific approved configuration being used (sizes, glass makeup, anchorage)
- Installation drawings showing how the product is anchored to the structure
- A signed and sealed letter from a licensed Florida PE (engineer of record) confirming the product installation meets the design requirements
The building department reviews the submittal against the approved FL PA. If anything doesn't match — wrong size, wrong glass makeup, wrong anchor spacing — the submittal is rejected and must be corrected before installation can proceed.
What Happens If a Sub Uses Non-Approved Products
This is the scenario you want to avoid. When non-approved products are installed:
- The inspection fails. The building inspector checks the submittals against what's installed. Non-matching products fail immediately.
- The products may have to be removed. If the installed product doesn't have a valid FL PA, the building department can require removal and replacement at the contractor's expense.
- No certificate of occupancy until the issue is corrected. This can push move-in dates by weeks or months.
- Insurance problems. If a hurricane damages the building and the glazing is found to be non-approved, the insurance carrier may deny the claim.
- License risk for the glazing contractor. Installing non-approved products is a violation of Florida law and can result in license suspension or revocation for the licensed glazing contractor.
As a general contractor, you're not responsible for the FL PA itself — that's the glazing sub's obligation. But you should verify that the submittals include valid FL PA numbers during your submittal review. Don't assume the sub has it covered.
How to Verify Your Glazing Sub Is Using Approved Products
Ask for the following before the glazing sub starts installation:
- A copy of the FL PA (or NOA for HVHZ projects) for every glazing product on the job
- Confirmation that the specific configuration being installed (size, glass makeup, anchor pattern) matches an approved configuration in the FL PA
- The engineer's letter of compliance referencing the FL PA
A licensed glazing contractor in Florida should have this documentation prepared before the first installation day. If a glazing sub can't produce the FL PA for the products they're installing, that's a major red flag. See our page on ACG's manufacturer partners to understand the product lines we specify — all carry valid FL PA or NOA documentation. More on our compliance approach on the GC resources page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Florida Product Approval (FL PA)?
A Florida Product Approval is the state's official certification that a specific building product meets Florida Building Code requirements. Every window, door, storefront system, and curtainwall product installed in a permitted Florida project must have a valid FL PA number. The approval is issued by the Florida DBPR and is based on laboratory testing. The FL PA number must be referenced in the contractor's submittal package.
What is the difference between a Florida Product Approval and a Miami-Dade NOA?
A Florida Product Approval (FL PA) is a statewide certification valid in all 67 Florida counties. A Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is a local certification for Miami-Dade and Broward counties under the stricter HVHZ requirements. Products with a Miami-Dade NOA are generally accepted statewide, but a statewide FL PA may not satisfy HVHZ requirements. For HVHZ projects, always verify the NOA specifically.
What happens if my glazing sub installs non-approved products?
Using non-approved products causes inspection failures, potential required removal and replacement at the contractor's expense, delayed certificates of occupancy, possible insurance claim denial after storm damage, and license risk for the glazing contractor. As a GC, verify that submittals include valid FL PA numbers during your review process.