How the AAMA Testing and certification Program Works
The AAMA certification program requires minimum levels of performance for air infiltration, water tightness, structural load integrity, operation forces, deglazing, fabrication integrity, vent and sash integrity, and many material and component specifications. Optional tests include forced entry resistance, thermal performance, acoustics, and certain types of vent/operator tests. In this program, a manufacturer contracts with an AAMA accredited laboratory to perform all the required tests to AAMA specifications. Upon successful completion of these tests, the laboratory sends the results to the manufacturer and the AAMA certification program administrator/ validator (A/V). The AAMA A/V, an independent company under contract to AAMA, checks that the laboratory has supplied a complete set of product drawings for the product(s) tested, and that the tested product is that which was detailed in the manufacturer's drawings. The A/V also accredits all the laboratories participating in the program. All fenestration products and the* materials and components can only be tested in an AAMA-accredited lab. The validator then notifies the manufacturer that its product(s) have met the requirements of the program. A manufacturer can enter into a license agreement with the trade association stipulating compliance with all requirements of the certification program which include in-plant inspections to validate product fabrication to the tested design and a quality control program to assure products are produced within tolerances of acceptable design criteria. The manufacturer must retest its products every four years to the latest version of test methods and performance standards as specified by AAMA. Anytime a manufacturer modifies its design, either by changing materials, components, or design geometry, it may have to partially or completely retest it product to one or more test methods to AAMA has recently implemented a component performance verification program to its fenestration certification program. This requires all components used in AAMA certified products to be tested by an AAMA-accredited laboratory. The component supplier may have its in-house laboratory accredited by AAMA to the same standards which AAMA sets for independent window and door test laboratories, or it can send its products to an AAMA- accredited independent lab for testing to AAMA component specifications. Although this is not a product certification program, it does provide a higher level of assurance that components used in AAMA-certified fenestration products have been tested by an AAMA-accredited laboratory and that the samples tested have been selected by a representative from the AAMA A/V. This approach provides greater assurance than the previous format where component suppliers were left to their own accord to test their products. A component manufacturer's laboratory or an independent window and door test lab must be accredited by the AAMA certification program A/V. Laboratories are required to provide rigorous documentation on calibration, accuracy, equipment, personnel, independence, expertise, engineering abilities, training, and many other items. Laboratory accreditation is one of the key elements of AAMA's program and is strictly regulated and controlled by the AAMA certification policy committee, AAMA staff, and the AAMA certification program A/V. Laboratories desiring accreditation by AAMA must be inspected by a representative from the A/V. AAMA references elements of laboratory accreditation as spelled out by ASTM E699 Criteria for Evaluation of Agencies Involved in Testing, Quality Assurance, and Evaluating Building Components in Accordance with Test Methods Promulgated by ASTM
FENESTRATION MAY/JUNE 1993 Vol 6, No. 5
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