The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has released a new specification applicable for use in testing and rating horizontal sliding windows and sliding doors based upon the sash/panel size and interlocking conditions present in the tested samples. AAMA 517-25, Specification for Air/Water Penetration Resistance, and Structural Load Performance of Multi-Track Doors and Windows, a new FGIA document, is now available for purchase in the FGIA online store.

This new document is intended to be used as a supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights (NAFS). AAMA 517 supplements laboratory testing to NAFS for air, water and structural performance.

“NAFS currently limits the ratings assigned to windows and doors to the maximum tested frame size,” said Jason Seals, FGIA staff liaison for the FGIA Multi-Track or Multi-Panel Sliding Systems Task Group. “This can be problematic for testing products that are designed to incorporate a large number of sash/panels enclosing large openings.” Because testing these products at the maximum number of sash/panels can be impractical, explained Seals, AAMA 517 users may qualify these products using a representative number of sash/panels.

AAMA 517-25, as well as other documents available from FGIA, may be purchased from the online store at the discounted member rate of $25 or the non-member price of $70.

For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.org.