AAMA Continues Work on Rating Severe Wind-Driven Rain Resistance

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has begun a 12-month review to thoroughly evaluate AAMA 520, Voluntary Specification for Rating the Severe Wind-Driven Rain Resistance of Windows, Doors and Unit Skylights. The final document is expected to be published next summer, prior to the 2009 hurricane season.

According to AAMA technical director John Lewis, once final revisions to the introduction for AAMA 520 are approved by the AAMA Southeast Region Technical Committee, a preliminary copy will be shared with AAMA-accredited testing laboratories and other members to ensure the specifications are clear and that the test protocols yield repeatable results.

"The participants' input will help validate testing equipment and procedures and evaluate a selection of current, hurricane impact-resistant windows," says Lewis.

"Following the 2004 hurricane season's destructive power and the property damage of wind-driven rains, the Florida Building Commission sought out AAMA's Southeast Region organization. At the FBC's urging, we have assessed current test methods and developed a standard of performance for testing windows to enhance their ability to resist water penetration under hurricane conditions," adds AAMA's president and chief executive officer Rich Walker. "The resulting document will serve as an elevated performance characterization but is not intended for building code adoption and enforcement."

Lewis says that the majority of the current testing is based on AMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440.

In addition to this work, an update to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-08, NAFS - North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors and skylights is now available for electronic download from AAMA. According to Ken Brenden, AAMA technical standards manager, the Update #1 includes editorial revisions to the 137 pages standard/specification published in January 2008. (CLICK HERE for more information.)

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