Curtain wall is a non-load-bearing aluminum-and-glass envelope that hangs off the structural frame. For mid-rise residential and commercial buildings up to about 12 stories, curtain wall is the most common envelope strategy in South Florida.
The three specs that drive every conversation are deflection, water penetration, and fire-stopping. Deflection is L/175 in most jurisdictions, meaning a 12-foot span can deflect no more than about 0.8 inches under design wind load. Water penetration is tested at 15 percent of design wind pressure. Fire-stopping at the slab edge is a separate listed assembly that almost always goes overlooked in early design.
For HVHZ buildings, the system also has to be Miami-Dade NOA approved as an assembly, not just at the component level. This is where a lot of generic systems fall out. We work primarily with three NOA-approved curtain wall lines that have been tested as full assemblies.
Lead times for engineered curtain wall are typically 16 to 22 weeks from approved shop drawings. Plan accordingly.
