Fenestration Industry Announces New Standard for Windows, Doors and Skylights
The Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), The American Architectural Association (AAMA) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) have jointly released AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S. 2/A440-08; North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors and Skylights.
The Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), The American
Architectural Association (AAMA) and the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA) have jointly released AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S. 2/A440-08; North
American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors and
Skylights.
The standard, which is expected to be adopted for inclusion in the 2009 I-codes, includes a number of improvements over the previous
(2005) version, including a key focus on clarifying the terminology relating to four performance criteria, WDMA says:
1) Design Pressure
2) DP
3) Performance Grade
4) PG
Design Pressure
This term describes a product’s ability to withstand uniform loads caused by either wind, or in the case of skylights, snow. The 101/I.S. 2/A440 standard supports this definition of “design pressure,” which is also consistent with other standards such as ASCE 7. A “Design Pressure” rating is limited strictly to structural loading performance.
DP
The term “DP” has historically been interpreted inconsistently among building industry professionals. The reality is that “DP” is simply a convenient abbreviation for “design pressure.” This means that “DP” refers only to the structural loading performance of a product and does not indicate any tested performance levels relative to air infiltration resistance, water penetration resistance or any other performance criteria specified in the 101/I.S. 2/A440 standard. This critical clarification is specifically stated in the 2008 edition of the standard in an effort to alleviate marketplace confusion which can lead to specifying the wrong product for a given building application.
Performance Grade
A product only achieves a “Performance Grade” rating if that product complies with all performance requirements of the 101/I.S. 2/A440 standard. This means that not only does the product have to comply with the structural loading performance requirement, but it also must comply with other performance requirements such as air infiltration resistance, water penetration resistance, ease of operation and resistance to forced entry. A “Performance Grade” rating
provides a comprehensive look at a product’s tested performance by incorporating compliance with all of the requirements of the 101/I.S. 2/A440 standard.
PG
The term “PG” is new and is simply being introduced as a convenient abbreviation for “Performance Grade.” In an effort to communicate this terminology consistently, the performance designation that will appear on product labels and product literature will be changing. A typical product designation, per the 2005 version of the standard, would have been as follows:
C-R25 760x1520 mm (30x60 in)
For the 2008 standard, this same designation will now be classified as:
Class R – PG25: Size Tested 760x1520 mm (30x60 in); or
Class R – PG25: Size Tested 760x1520 mm (30x60 in) – Casement; or
Class R – PG25: Size Tested 760x1520 mm (30x60 in) – Type C
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