Doors, skylights, and windows share many of the same safety and durability considerations, especially for regions in which storm conditions occur frequently. To assure their customers and code officials that their products are safe and reliable, it is important manufacturers partner with trusted third-party labs and certification agencies to perform Fenestration testing. ICC-ES develops and maintains the products’ code compliance in accordance with code-referenced standards and specifications, particularly AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS — North American Fenestration Standard. The third-party labs test several characteristics of doors, skylights, and windows ranging from energy efficiency to performance in severe weather. Innovative manufacturers and labs also partner together for R&D testing to help manufacturers determine if their new design meets their company’s performance expectations.

ICC-ES accredited laboratories conduct fenestration tests for various characteristics, including but not limited to:

• Code compliance
• Hurricane testing (windborne-debris impact resistance)
• Meeting AAMA standards for materials testing, water resistance, air infiltration, as well as for component parts (finishes, weather stripping, sealants, hardware)
• Meeting HUD building products standards
• Operability
• Static air-pressure difference
• Wind load testing (WDMA Hallmark and the IBC require that doors meet the ASTM E330 standard.)

We create tailored test plans that capture specialized requirements for innovative products, such as those found in the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria. Below is a list of standards that may be included in the test plan for fenestration.

• AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/IS.2/A440, NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard, which encompasses:
  • ASTM E283 – Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Skylights, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen
  • ASTM E330 – Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
  • ASTM E331 – Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
  • ASTM E547 – Standard Test Method for Measuring Heat-Transfer Rate Using a Thermal Capacitance (Slug) Calorimeter
• AAMA 1702.2 – Swinging Exterior Passage Doors Voluntary Standard for Utilization in Manufactured-Housing
  ASTM E1233 – Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic Air Pressure Differential
• ASTM E1886 – Standard Test Method for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Missile(s) and Exposed to Cyclic Pressure Differentials
• ASTM E1996 – Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes
• TAS 201 – Impact Test Procedures
• TAS 202 – Criteria for Testing Impact & Nonimpact Resistant Building Envelope Components Using Uniform Static Air Pressure
• TAS 203 – Criteria for Testing Products Subject to Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading