American Architectural Manufacturers Association

FENESTRATION FIELD TESTING:

WHEN, WHY, and HOW
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Prepared by
Dean Lewis
Manager, Product Certification
[email protected]

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AAMA…who are we?
¾ Founded in 1936; first standard in 1947
¾ First window & door Certification in 1962
¾ Publish over 60 Standards and Specifications
¾ Publish over 118 technical documents
¾ Product Certification program ANSI Accredited since 1972
¾ 334 Manufacturing Locations
¾ 58 Extrusion Facilities
¾ 32 Accredited Laboratories
¾ 82 manufacturers of verified components
¾ 43.9 Million AAMA certification labels purchased in 2002
¾ 60% of windows sold carry the AAMA label
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AAMA Specifications...
Windows and Components

ANSI/AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97 and

ANSI/AAMA/WDMA 101/I.S.2/NAFS-02
Air-Water-Structural

300 series – Vinyl & other plastic profiles

701/702 - Weatherstrip and Weatherseals
613/614/615 - Organic Coatings on Plastic Profiles
2603/2604/2605 – Organic Coatings on Aluminum
901-908 – Hinges, Balances, Operators, Rollers
1503/NFRC 100 – Thermal

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AAMA’s Third Party Certification
Manufacturer

Licensed with AAMA

Tests at an AAMA-Accredited Lab

Uniform Load Deflection
Uniform Load Structural
Air Leakage
Water Penetration
Forced Entry
Life Cycle

Provides Drawings, Bill of Material

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AAMA’s Third Party Certification

Validator

Reviews Test Reports, Drawings, Components

Recommends Product for Certification

Inspects Labs for Accreditation

Inspects Plants
Production
Quality Control

Selects Components & Profiles for Testing

Issues Product Certification Labels

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AAMA’s Third Party Certification
AAMA
Contracts Validator

Licenses Certifying Manufacturers

Accredits Labs – Full Service & Field Testing

Authorizes Product Certification

Publishes
Certified Products Directory
Verified Components List
Certified Profiles List

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AAMA Certification -
Checks & Balances...
Validator
Inspects Accredited Labs, Component Labs
Inspects Manufacturing Plants
Inspects Profile Producers

AAMA
Audits Validator
Plant Inspection
Lab Inspection
Administration

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Accredits/Audits AAMA Certification Program
Audits AAMA Publications
Audits Validator

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AAMA Certified Products Directory and
Permanent Label...

• 6,000 Product
AAMA listings
• 334 plants
Certified
• 32 Laboratories
Products • Windows
Directory • Sliding Glass
Doors
• Storm products

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The AAMA Gold Label

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ANSI/AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S. 2 -97
is...

¾ Performance Based

¾ Material Neutral

¾ Required by IBC and IRC

¾ National in Scope

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101/I.S. 2/NAFS-02

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Performance Rating

Window and Door products included in this standard are designated by a

four-part code which includes product type, performance class, performance
grade and maximum size tested. The format for product designation is:

Product Designation System

HS - LC 25 48x76

Product Type Performance Class Performance Grade Maximum Size Tested

Horizontal Slider Light Commercial Design Pressure=25 psf Width x Height

Note: an asterisk (*) added to the performance grade indicates that the
size tested for the optional performance grade was smaller than the
minimum test size for the original product type and class.

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ANSI/AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S. 2 -97
Provisions...

¾ Mandatory Testing
‰Air Infiltration
‰Water Penetration
‰Structural - Windload
‰Forced Entry Resistance

¾ Optional Performance
‰U Factor
‰Condensation Resistance
‰Acoustical

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Product Type
Window and Door products covered in this standard are as follows:
AP = Awning, Hopper, Projected HGD = Hinged Glass Doors
Window HP = Horizontally Pivoted Windows
BW = Basement Window HS = Horizontal Sliding Windows
C = Casement Windows J = Jalousie Windows
DA = Dual Action Windows JA = Jal-Awning Windows
DA-HGD = Dual Action Hinged Glass SHW =Side Hinged Inswinging Windows
Doors SGD = Sliding Glass Doors
F = Fixed Windows TA = Tropical Awning Windows
GH = Greenhouse Windows TH = Top Hinged Windows
H = Hung Windows (Single, Double, VP = Vertically Pivoted Windows
Triple)
VS = Vertical Sliding Windows
HE = Hinged Egress Windows

Each product type and class requires minimum test sizes

for entry into the product class.
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Performance Class

Window and Door products covered by this standard

are divided into five performance classes as follows:

RR == Residential
Residential
LC
LC =
= Light
Light Commercial
Commercial
CC == Commercial
Commercial
HC
HC =
= Heavy
Heavy Commercial
Commercial
AW
AW =
= Architectural
Architectural

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Performance Grade

Products are designated by the design pressure for which they have been
tested in pounds per square foot. The structural test pressure is 1.5 times
the design pressure. Each product performance class shall have a minimum
performance grade as follows:

R = 15 psf (720 Pa)

LC = 25 psf (1200 Pa)
C = 30 psf (1440 Pa)
HC = 40 psf (1920 Pa)
AW = 40 psf (1920 Pa)

In addition, products may be tested to optional performance grades

higher than the minimum grade in increments of 5 psf (240 Pa).
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Minimum Test Sizes

Test Sample Requirements (Casement Windows)

Window Designation Minimum Frame Size

C – R15 1’5” (430 mm) x 4’0” (1220 mm)

C – LC25 2’0” (610 mm) x 4’0” (1220 mm)

C – C30 2’0” (610 mm) x 4’0” (1220 mm)

C – HC40 2’0” (610 mm) x 4’0” (1220 mm)

C – AW40 3’0” (910 mm) x 5’0” (1520 mm)

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Minimum Performance
Requirements Listed by Class

Window/Door Design Structural Water Required

Classes Pressure Test Pressure Resistance Percentage
(psf) (psf) Test Pressure for Water
(psf) Testing

Residential 15 22.5 2.86 15%

Light
25 37.5 3.75 15%
Commercial

Commercial 30 45.0 4.50 15%

Heavy
40 60.0 6.00 15%
Commercial

Architectural 40 60.0 8.00 20%

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 Comparison Between the AW and HC
Class Requirements

CRITERIA HC PRODUCTS AW PRODUCTS

Air Infiltration Pressure
Sliding Seal Products 1.57 psf (75 Pa) 6.24 psf (300 Pa)
Air Infiltration Pressure
Compression Seal Products 6.24 psf (300 Pa) 6.24 psf (300 Pa)
Air Infiltration Allowance 0.3 cfm/ft2 0.3 cfm/ft2
Sliding Seal Products (5 m3/hr/m2) (5 m3/hr/m2)
Air Infiltration Allowance 0.3 cfm/ft2 0.1 cfm/ft2
Compression Seal Products (5 m3/hr/m2) (2 m3/hr/m2)
Water Test Pressure as a
Percent of Design Pressure 15% 20%

ASTM Test Method for Water Penetration E 547 & E331 E331
Required Deflection Limit None except Hung L/175 for all AW
At Design Pressure Products at L/175 Products
Permanent Set Limit at
Structural Test Pressure 0.4% 0f Span 0.2% of Span
Life Cycle Testing per
AAMA 910 Optional Required

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Primary (Gateway) Performance
Requirements

Structural Water Air Infiltration

Window/Door Design Test Resistance Test Maximum Rate
Designation Pressure Pressure Test Pressure Pressure ft 3/min m3/hr
(Minimum Test Size) psf Pa psf Pa psf Pa psf Pa /ft 2 /m2
GROUP I Sliding Seal Window Products
Single/Double/Triple Hung Windows
H-R15 (3'8" x 5'0") 15 720 22.5 1080 2.86 140 1.57 75 0.3 5
H-LC25 (3'8" x 6'5") 25 1200 37.5 1800 3.75 180 1.57 75 0.3 5
H-C30 (4'6" x 7'6") 30 1440 45.0 2160 4.50 220 1.57 75 0.3 5
H-HC40 (5'0" x 8'0") 40 1920 60.0 2880 6.00 290 1.57 75 0.3 5
H-AW40 (5'0" x 8'0") 40 1920 60.0 2880 8.00 390 6.24 300 0.3 5

GROUP II Compression Seal Window Products

Casement Windows
C-R15 (1'5" x 4'0") 15 720 22.5 1080 2.86 140 1.57 75 0.3 5
C-LC25 (2'0" x 4'0") 25 1200 37.5 1800 3.75 180 1.57 75 0.3 5
C-C30 (2'0" x 4'0") 30 1440 45.0 2160 4.50 220 1.57 75 0.3 5
C-HC40 (2'0" x 4'0") 40 1920 60.0 2880 6.00 290 6.24 300 0.3 5
C-AW40 (3'0" x 5'0") 40 1920 60.0 2880 8.00 390 6.24 300 0.1 2

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Section 4.0
Optional Performance Grades

Under “Optional Performance

Grades”, manufacturers can test their
products to exceed the minimum
performance requirements outlined in
sections 1.0 and 2.0, for both design
load and water test pressure.

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Glass and Glazing Materials

Glazing specifications are included in the standard.

Annealed glass installed in windows shall meet ASTM C 1036.

Safety glazing materials where used, shall conform to ANSI Z97.1 or CPSC
16 CFR 1201. Tempered glass, where used, shall conform to ASTM C 1048
(Kind FT). Safety glazing shall be furnished on glass doors.

Sealed insulating glass, where used, shall conform to ASTM E 774 level C or
higher (Level A for AW products).

Glass furnished by the manufacturer shall meet or exceed the values given in
ASTM E 1300 for the design pressure rating of the product. Allowable
pressures from the graphs are allowed to be increased as noted for the use
of heat strengthened, fully tempered or sealed insulating glass and are
required to be decreased as noted for the use of laminated glass.

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Conformance Tests

Unless otherwise stipulated in this specification, windows and doors

submitted for tests under sections 2 and 4 shall contain glazing intended for
use in the product. For products with glass infill, the glass type shall be the
minimum strength required for a given load and size based on ASTM E 1300,
with the exception that frame or sash deflections, where not specified in the
document, are not limited to the glass edge dimension divided by 175.

Products tested with a specific glass type shall qualify products of a smaller
size manufactured with a different glass type provided the glass conforms to
ASTM E 1300, as referenced above.

Products tested with plastic materials shall not qualify glass glazing materials,
nor products tested with glass qualify plastic glazing materials.

Products tested with sealed insulating glass shall not qualify single glazed
products.

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Field Testing

Quality Assurance
Photos courtesy Architectural Testing, Inc.
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 Project Specifications

Not all projects have a field quality control section listed in the
specifications. In these cases the laboratory performance
requirements are usually referenced and used to develop an
on-site test program.

If the quantity, size and other details of the field test

specimens are not listed in the project specification,
standards/specifications such as AAMA are normally
utilized.

Typically the field quality control section of the project

specification will either reference an AAMA field test
standard or list specific performance requirements in
addition to the ASTM test methods that are required.
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Field Test Methods: ASTM

ASTM E 783, Field Measurement of Air Leakage

Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors

ASTM E 1105, Field Determination of Water

Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows,
Curtain Walls and Doors by Uniform or Cyclic
Static Air Pressure Difference

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Standards/Specifications: AAMA

AAMA 502-02, Voluntary Specification for Field

Testing of Windows and Sliding Glass Doors

AAMA 503-03, Voluntary Specification for Field

Testing of Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped
Glazing Systems

AAMA 501.2-03, Quality Assurance and Diagnostic

Water Leakage Field check of Installed
Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing
Systems

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Standards/Specifications: AAMA
Short Form Field Testing Specifications are provided
for both 502 and 503

AAMA Field Testing Specifications are intended for

testing of installed new fenestration

Test chambers may be installed on the outside

(positive pressure) or inside (negative pressure) of
the building

Field Testing to be conducted by an AAMA-

accredited lab; AAMA 204-98, Guidelines for
AAMA Accreditation of Independent Laboratories
Performing On-Site Testing of Fenestration
Products
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 AAMA 502-02

Test Methods A and B differ in the location of the

chamber perimeter lines and therefore, whether
or not the perimeter seals, subframe/receptor
system, and frame corners are tested under
pressure.

Test Method A is the default. Non-structural

interior trim may have to be removed to check for
leaks

Optional Sill Dam Test checks for corner leaks

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AAMA 502-02 Method A Test Setup

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AAMA 502-02 Sill Dam Test

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 AAMA 502-02 Method B

Test Method B tests the product and its installation

in the rough opening. Chamber is applied to the
wall construction.

If interior wall materials have been installed, they

must be removed at the test area to provide visual
access to check for leaks

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AAMA 502-02 Method B Test Setup

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AAMA 502-02 Performance Criteria
Allows 1.5 times the 101/I.S.2 specified maximum air
leakage rate. A ‘blank’ may be used to identify and
subtract extraneous air; e.g., through sides of the
frame

Water penetration resistance is tested at 2/3 of the

101/I.S.2 specified pressure. Cyclic pressure is
used for R, LC, & C products; Uniform pressure for
AW; both for HC.

Alternate air leakage & water penetration resistance

requirements may be specified
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Interior Test Chamber
AAMA 502-02 Method A
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Interior Test Chamber
AAMA 502-02 Method B
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AAMA 503-03
Contract should specify testing area, and whether
perimeter seals are to be included. Otherwise, the
specimen should include perimeter seals, typical
splices, frame intersections, and, if applicable, at
least two entire vision lites and two entire
spandrel lites containing an intermediate vertical
and an intermediate horizontal.

Field air leakage tests are only recommended for

discrete “punched opening” curtain walls,
storefronts, and sloped glazing elevations. Not
recommended for a portion of a continuous system
due to problems with compartmentalization and
identification of extraneous air leakage.

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AAMA 503-03
Windows and sliding glass doors included within the
specimen are tested per AAMA 502

Water penetration is tested per E 1105, applying

uniform (not cyclic) pressure

Timing is critical; sheetrock, trim, insulation, etc.

that would affect chamber attachment or visual
inspection must be removed if installed

If air leakage is to be tested, it must be performed

before water penetration testing

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AAMA 503-03 Test Setup

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AAMA 503-03 Performance Criteria
Air leakage test performed at a minimum of 1.57 psf
and not to exceed 6.24 psf. Allows 1.5 times the
project specification rate or 0.09 cfm/ft2
whichever is greater

Water penetration test shall be conducted at two-

thirds of the specified project water test
pressure, but not less than 6.24 psf

Alternate air leakage & water penetration resistance

requirements may be specified

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Exterior Test Chamber
AAMA 503-03
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Interior Test Chamber
AAMA 503-03
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AAMA 501.2-03

Handheld spray nozzle (specified)

No air pressure differential

Field check; NOT a performance test

Does not evaluate the system in a ‘real world’ fashion

Used for QA during construction, or as a follow-up

to 503 testing to identify specific location of
leakage

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AAMA 501.2-03 Test Setup

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www.aamanet.org

Thank you for your time and interest

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