The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) announced the release of an interim procedural guide that will provide a documented, optional process to extend current, unexpired AAMA product certification to any edition of AAMA/WDMA(/CSA) 101/I.S.2(/A440), North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights (NAFS) for a period of two years for products that have had no changes. The procedural guide, AAMA 106-13, Interim Procedural Guide for Extension of NAFS Certification is effective as of May 1.

“Over the past 10 years, testing and certification requirements have increased; we are now testing more combinations of windows, and there are more special conditions to meet ratings for hurricane zones and local building codes,” says Mike DeSoto (MI Windows and Doors), co-chair of AAMA’s Certification Extension Review Task Group. “Allowing a streamlined method of extending certification on products that have not changed since the last test provides manufacturers with much needed relief. The engineering resources we [manufacturers] are saving by reducing the frequency of renewal testing can be focused on research and development, certifying new products and introducing product enhancements.”

Specifically, under AAMA 106, manufacturers that choose to apply for product certification extensions must implement weekly testing of both a thermoplastic corner weld test and a corner leak and drainage test. Documentation must be provided and the manufacturer must demonstrate during their regular on-site inspections that they have implemented these tests and are keeping sufficient records.

The option to extend certification per the terms of AAMA 106 expires as of December 31, 2014, or sooner if superseded by other procedures authorized by AAMA’s Certification Policy Committee. The request form and affidavit to extend product certification is included in the procedural guide.

AAMA 106-13 is available to download from AAMA’s Publication Store.

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Filed under: AAMA, ASSOCIATION NEWS, Products