Air, Water, Structural Testing

Performance versus cost:

Building envelope products provide safety, security, as well as aesthetic appeal and improved efficiency to a residential and commercial structure. Air, Water and Structural Loads performance testing of fenestration products is an important factor in creating, marketing and the continued success of manufacturers’ products. Regulatory agencies, building officials, state building codes, design professionals, specification writers, building owners, architects and consumers can employ testing results to compare similar products without having detailed knowledge of how a window/ door/ skylight is designed and/or tested.

Industry practice dictates the use of ASTM test methods which are consolidated into the current AAMA 101 (AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440) document.  This standard presents performance requirements based on the type of window and its size.

Testing Customization & Flexibility:

  • Building Code Compliance
  • Project-specific requirements testing
  • Research and development
  • State-specific marketing objectives

Below are the specific AAMA size requirements which differ from NFRC test size requirements.

101/I.S.2/A440-08 Sizes

Operator Type R-PG15 LC-PG25 CW-PG30 AW-PG40
Casement - Single 24x60 32x60 32x60 36x60
Dual Action 44x60 48x60 48x71 60x99
Fixed 48x48 56x56 60x60 60x99
Horizontal Slider 63x44 71x56 71x60 99x79
Projecting - Awning/ Single 48x16 48x32 48x32 60x36
Sidelite 16x79 16x83 20x83 -----
Skylight/ Roof Window (Plastic & Glass) 20x44 ----- 44x44 -----
Sliding (Patio) Door 71x79 87x83 95x83 123x95
Side Hinged Door 36x79 36x83 40x83 48x95
Transom 71x12 71x16 79x20 -----
Vertical Slider - SH/DH 40x63 44x75 56x91 60x99

101/I.S.2/A440-05 Sizes

Operator Type R15 LC25 C30 HC40 AW40
Casement - Single 24x60 32x60 32x60 36x60 36x60
Dual Action 44x60 48x60 48x71 60x99 60x99
Fixed 48x48 56x56 60x60 60x71 60x99
Horizontal Slider 63x44 71x56 71x60 99x79 99x79
Projecting - Awning/ Single 48x16 48x32 48x32 60x32 60x36
Sidelite 16x79 16x83 20x83 ----- -----
Skylight/ Roof Window (Plastic & Glass) 20x44 ----- 44x44 44x95 -----
Sliding (Patio) Door 71x79 87x83 95x83 123x95 123x95
Side Hinged Door 36x79 36x83 40x83 40x83 48x95
Transom 71x12 71x16 79x20 ----- -----
Vertical Slider - SH/DH 40x63 44x75 56x91 60x99 60x99

Benefits of Structural Testing:

  • Money Savings – Testing sample vs. entire product line
  • Fair product comparisons
  • Dramatic improvement over default table values
  • Performance standards compliance
  • Easier code enforcement –  Labels quickly confirm compliance
  • Highlight new technology & refinement
  • Display a product’s benefits
  • Accurate, unbiased results
  • Streamlined research & development process
  • Uniform code compliance requirements
Go to Top