AAMA announces certification extension.
Press Release Summary:
During 76th Annual Conference, AAMA announced approval of AAMA 106-13, Interim Procedural Guide, which will provide 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 for period of 2 years for products that have had no changes. Also during Annual Conference, AAMA celebrated 50 Years of Gold Label Certification.
Original Press Release:
AAMA Announces Certification Extension; Celebrates Gold Label 50th Anniversary at Annual Conference
Schaumburg, Ill. -- At AAMA’s 76th Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona, the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) announced the approval 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 will be released by the association and is effective as of March 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 demonstrate during their regular on-site inspections that they have implemented both the specified thermoplastic corner weld test (twice per week on each welding head of each active corner welder, conducted per the most current published version of NAFS) and a corner leak and drainage test (every calendar month for each product line being manufactured during that period).
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 Celebrates 50 Years of Gold Label Certification
Also during the Annual Conference, current licensees of AAMA’s Gold Label Certification were recognized. AAMA’s Certification Labeling Program began in 1963, when AAMA was the Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association.
“While the program has stood the test of time, we are still making improvements thanks to our many active members, and we are excited about our most recent improvement -- the revised option to extend AAMA product certification,” says Rich Rinka, AAMA's certification manager. “The AAMA Certification Program would not be possible without our licensees, component suppliers and accredited laboratories.”
More information about AAMA and its activities can be found via the AAMA Media Relations page or on the AAMA website, www.aamanet.org.
AAMA is the source of performance standards, product certification,
and educational programs for the fenestration industry.sm
Media contacts:
Angela Dickson, marketing manager, AAMA
Email: adickson@aamanet.org; 866-985-7510
