Industry Now Has Performance Standards for Exterior Side-Hinged Doors

Exterior side-hinged doors and its system components will now be tested in an industry-wide standard approved by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). The standard covers a wide range of side-hinged door products used in residential and light commercial construction, including those made of steel, fiberglass, wood and composites. AAMA's door council developed the four new testing specifications after three years of work.

Following is an overview of the specifications:

· Cycle Performance (920-03) establishes an accelerated testing method that simulates actual operating conditions, and provides measurable performance standards for side-hinged exterior door systems and related hardware.
· Vertical Loading Resistance is tested under the 925-03 standard.
· A voluntary specification is established for Forced Entry Resistance (1304-02), which measures the ability of a locked door system to resist forced entry under specified loads.
· Also voluntary is the specification for Water Penetration Resistance and the Structural Load Performance of Locking/Latching Hardware (930-03).

"Even though these specifications are not yet referenced in the I-Codes, they arm architects and builders with a set of door performance guidelines for various demands," said Richard Walker, AAMA's executive vice president.

Currently these new door specifications are included in a new industry standard that is under development, and may eventually be harmonized with Canada. Labeled 101/I.S. 2/A440, Specifications for Windows, Doors and Unit Skylights, this document is targeted for adoption by the 2006 I-Codes provided that AAMA, the Window and Door Manufacturers Association and the Canadian Standards Association all approve the standard.

"If this standard becomes codified, effective sometime in 2006, it will represent the first time that performance specifications for air and water infiltration for an entire entry system will have been established as a benchmark of expected performance," said Walker. "However, final revisions and approval by all involved associations is ongoing."

For more information or to download the specifications visit www.aamanet.org/pubstore/Shop.asp.