North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights

1.1 General

 

This fenestration Standard/Specification applies to both operating and fixed, new construction and replacement windows, doors, SSPs, TDDs, roof windows, and unit skylights. This fenestration Standard/Specification is material-neutral and establishes performance requirements for windows, doors, SSPs, TDDs, roof windows, and unit skylights including their components and materials. This Standard/Specification concerns itself with the determination of Performance Grade (PG), Allowable Stress Design (ASD) design pressure (DP), and related performance ratings for windows, doors, SSPs, TDDs, roof windows, and unit skylights and is based on laboratory testing of products in standard fixtures. This Standard/Specification is not intended to test or address the use or installation of the product.

 

Performance requirements are used in this Standard/Specification when possible. Prescriptive requirements are used when necessary. When products successfully pass all applicable performance tests, a rating is determined and a test report may be issued.

 

The primary purpose of this Standard/Specification is to enable end-product performance evaluation as may be required for certain US and Canadian model building codes for windows, doors, SSPs, TDDs, roof windows, and unit skylights. Performance-based product comparison, durability assessment, and technical issues related to certification programs are secondary purposes of this Standard/Specification.

 

This Standard/Specification applies to testing and rating products. The tested rating applies to products of functionally identical construction, with both width and height less than or equal to the tested size.

 

Programs have been developed or are proposed for determining fenestration energy performance ratings and for fenestration product sustainability. These programs are outside the scope of this Standard/Specification.

 

Fenestration products excluded from the scope of this Standard/Specification include

 

a) interior windows, interior accessory windows (IAWs), and interior doors;

 

b) vehicular-access doors (garage doors) (see ANSI/DASMA 105, ANSI/DASMA 108, ANSI/DASMA 109, ANSI/DASMA 115, or other applicable DASMA Specifications);

 

c) roof-mounted smoke and heat-relief vents (see FM 4430);

 

d) sloped glazing (other than unit skylights or roof windows) (see AAMA TIR-A7);

 

e) curtain walls and storefronts (see AAMA CWM and AAMA SFM-1);

 

f) commercial entrance systems (see AAMA SFM-1);

 

g) sunrooms (see AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100);

 

h) revolving doors;

 

i) commercial steel doors rated according to ANSI/SDI A250.8;

 

j) skylights according to AAMA SKY-3; and

 

k) motorized operators.

 

1.2 Terminology

 

In this Standard/Specification, shall is used to express a requirement, (i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard/Specification); should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; shall be permitted to be is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard/Specification; and can is used to express possibility or capability.

 

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and are considered requirements. Legends to equations and figures are considered requirements.

 

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application. The purpose of the commentary is to add background information, explanatory language, examples, or further clarification to topics addressed by the referenced clause.

 

The Preface, Clause 0, and commentary are non-mandatory.

 

1.3 Units of measurement

 

The values given in SI (metric) units are the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

 

The values given in parentheses are in IP (inch-pound) units and are often inexact rounded values. Users of this Standard/Specification are to test only to the SI values or to exact conversions of the SI values. The IP equivalents identified are for approximate reference only and do not in any way imply accuracy of the measurement or the equipment.

 

Precision and bias statements are provided in the applicable test methods referenced in this Standard/Specification. Significant digits and rounding that are recorded below or above the requirements stated in this Standard/Specification do not imply a specific level of accuracy or repeatability of the measurement systems, test equipment or test methods.

 

1.4 Clause categories

 

For the convenience of the user, the clauses of this Standard/Specification have been identified with categories that generally describe the content of the clause, allowing users to quickly select those clauses that relate to a particular category. Clauses that are not specifically identified relate to all categories.