A M E R I C A N A R C H I T E C T U R A L AAMA 2501-06 Voluntary Guideline For Engineering Analysis of Window and Sliding Glass Door Anchorage Systems M A N U F A C T U R E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
TABLE OF CONTENTS Forward...1 1.0 Scope...1 2.0 Definition Of Window And Sliding Glass Door Anchorage Systems...1 3.0 Structural Analysis Requirements...1 4.0 Documentation And Submittals...2 5.0 Window And Sliding Glass Door Anchorage Systems...2 6.0 Required Information And Procedure...3 7.0 References...3 AAMA. The Source of Performance Standards. Products Certification and Educational Programs for the Fenestration Industry. All AAMA documents may be ordered at our web site in the Publications Store. 2006 American Architectural Manufacturers Association These printed or electronic pages may NOT be reproduced, republished and distributed in any format without the express written consent of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association. This document was developed by representative members of AAMA as advisory information and published as a public service. AAMA DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL AAMA BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER FROM THE USE, APPLICATION OR ADAPTATION OF MATERIALS PUBLISHED HEREIN. It is the sole responsibility of the user/purchaser to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content published herein. AAMA 2501-06 PUBLISHED: 3/06 American Architectural Manufacturers Association 1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173 PHONE (847) 303-5664 FAX (847) 303-5774 EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org WEBSITE www.aamanet.org
FORWARD This AAMA voluntary guideline for engineering analysis of window and sliding glass door anchorage systems provides architects, specifiers, code officials and consultants with an industry approved document that can be referenced in project specifications and contract documents. This document outlines the minimum requirements for structural analysis by engineering calculation. Although the general principles outlined herein may apply to curtain walls, the analysis of curtain wall systems is more complex and therefore analysis of these systems is not included in this document. This guideline is specifically for window and sliding glass door products that are tested per AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 or AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97 and rated by the Performance Grade that follows the type and class designation. For example, an H-HC40 is a Hung (operator type) HC - Heavy Commercial (performance class) and 40 (performance grade). The performance grade numbers represent design pressure in psf for the window or sliding glass door product at a specific gateway size and configuration. When a window or sliding door product is specified by the type, class and performance grade, this indicates that the product meets a specific design pressure as tested in one specific anchorage system. Reality dictates that these window and sliding glass door products are often installed with different anchorage systems and product fastening arrangements than they were tested in the laboratory. These anchorage and fastener differences create a number of variables that may affect the overall design pressure performance of the installed product. If a specific window or sliding glass door product installation is different than what was used for testing in the laboratory, this document is an appropriate reference to verify that the anchorage system conforms to the project specifications. NOTE: Rated window and sliding glass door products are often tested without mullions, in single punched applications in a wood buck. The actual installed product may have various mullions, transoms, subframe systems or substrates, and could require vastly different anchoring types and spacing from the rated tested unit. The installed product may require multiple fasteners concentrated at mullions, muntins or meeting rails, which may differ greatly from the as tested, rated product. 1.0 SCOPE 1.1 This voluntary AAMA guideline establishes the minimum requirements to confirm that a window or sliding glass door anchorage system provides a load resistance with appropriate safety factor that is equal to or greater than the project specific design pressure requirements, and supports the product in a manner equivalent to that tested. 1.2 If the project specific design pressure requirements have not been established by the project documents, the minimum load resistance with appropriate safety factor required for the window and sliding glass door attachment systems and methods shall be at least the minimum required by local code requirements. In the absence of code requirements, the minimum requirements of the current ASCE 7 standard shall be met. 2.0 DEFINITION OF WINDOW AND SLIDING GLASS DOOR ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS 2.1 For the purpose of this document a window or sliding glass door anchorage system is defined as any structural component attached to the product for the purpose of retaining the product in the wall opening. No structural strength shall be assumed for sealants or flashing materials. 3.0 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Engineering calculations signed and sealed by a registered professional engineer shall be submitted to verify that the design of the window and sliding glass door product anchorage satisfies the project specific design pressure requirements. The engineer shall also verify that the anchorage supports the window or sliding glass door products in a manner equivalent to that of the tested sample. Engineering calculations shall reference shop drawings when available. In the absence of shop drawings, the engineer shall provide a detailed sketch of the analyzed openings. AAMA 2501-06 Page 1
4.0 DOCUMENTATION AND SUBMITTALS 4.1 One or more copies of the original set of calculations signed and sealed by a registered professional engineer shall be provided with the product shop drawing submittal when required. In the absence of shop drawings, the engineer shall provide a detailed sketch of the analyzed openings. 5.0 WINDOW AND SLIDING GLASS DOOR ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS 5.1 Window and sliding glass door anchorage systems are too numerous and varied to cover every possible detail in this voluntary guideline. Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a direct connection of a typical window frame to the surrounding substrate, and illustrates most of the required information listed in Section 6.0. All anchorage systems that are to be analyzed in accordance with this guideline (such as nail fins, framing receptors, anchor clips, etc.) require similar dimensioning and information. FRAMING EDGE DISTANCES FASTENER NOTE: SKETCH SHOWS A SCHEMATIC DRAWING FOR WINDOW/DOOR FRAMING CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE SURROUNDING SUBSTRATES. OTHER ANCHOR DESIGNS AND ORIENTATIONS WILL REQUIRE SIMILAR DIMENSIONING AND INFORMATION. SHIM HEIGHT BEARING SURFACE EDGE DISTANCES FRAMING THICKNESS SUBSTRATE THICKNESS SUBSTRATE EDGE DISTANCES DESIRED INFORMATION FOR COMMON SUBSTRATE MATERIALS METALS * THICKNESS (GAGE) * ALLOY * GRADE (TEMPER) * STRENGTH WOOD * SPECIES * THICKNESS CONCRETE * 28-DAY STRENGTH * NORMAL OR LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS * TYPE & STRENGTH * HOLLOW OR FILLED (GROUTED) CORES FIGURE 1 AAMA 2501-06 Page 2
6.0 REQUIRED INFORMATION AND PROCEDURE 6.1 The following information is required for the engineering analysis of the anchorage system: 6.1.1 Dimensions of the installed window and the rough opening. 6.1.2 Profiles and material properties of the window frame, parts, and anchors. 6.1.3 Required design pressure of the installed window or sliding glass door system. 6.1.4 Details and material specifications for the surrounding wall conditions about the window or sliding glass door product perimeter. 6.1.5 Design capacities of the fasteners for the surrounding wall condition and material specifications. 6.1.6 Building movements relative to window or sliding glass door framing anchorage. 6.1.7 Anchorage configuration of the product tested for performance grade certification. 6.2 The engineering analysis provided shall follow the following basic procedure: 6.2.1 Propose an anchorage arrangement. 6.2.2 Establish the maximum design load per attachment. 6.2.3 Determine the forces acting on the attachments. 6.2.4 Select an attachment system to resist the determined forces. 6.2.5 Confirm that the window or sliding glass door frame can resist the forces at the attachment points. 6.2.6 Report the required anchorage and/or fastener quantity, spacing, type, material, strength, embedment, edge distances and other parameters as appropriate. 7.0 REFERENCES 7.1 References to the standards listed below shall be to the edition indicated. Any undated reference to a code or standard appearing in the requirements of this standard shall be interpreted as referring to the latest edition of that code or standard. 7.2 American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97, Voluntary Specifications for Aluminum, Vinyl (PVC) and Wood Windows and Glass Doors AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors and Unit Skylights 7.3 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures AAMA 2501-06 Page 3
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