Performance Grade Designations

Performance grades in AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-05 are based on design pressure, which is designated by a number following the type and class designation. For example, a double-hung R-class window designed H-R15 or H-RM720 establishes the design pressure of 15 pounds per square foot (psf) or approximately 720 pascals (Pa). If the rating is desired in SI (metric) units, the design pressure in pascals (Pa) is preceded by an �M.� In its most basic sense, design pressure is the wind load pressure a product is rated to withstand. Products included in the standard/specification are designated by the performance grade or design pressure for which they have been successfully tested and noted in pascals or psf. The uniform load structural test pressure for windows and doors is 150 percent of the performance grade (design pressure) and 200 percent for unit skylights and roof windows. The water penetration test pressure is 15 percent of the performance grade (design pressure) for R, LC, C, and HC products and 20 percent of the performance grade (design pressure) for AW products but never less than 140 Pa (2.9 psf) except limited water on side-hinged door systems only. In addition, products shall be permitted to be tested to optional performance grades (design pressures) higher than the minimum performance grades (design pressures) specified. (Table 1)

Table 1 Gateway Requirements Each product has a defined gateway set of primary requirements.

Gateway Requirements

Each product type has a defined �gateway� set of primary requirements for the applicable product type before the manufacturer�s tested product is allowed into the performance class. Gateway performance requirements are the minimum allowable performance levels that a gateway test specimen achieves in order to be rated with a particular classification of R, LC, C, HC or AW. The gateway test specimen size must be equal to or larger than the specified designation parameters in both height and width. Generally, the minimum allowable performance levels and the gateway size change as the classification changes. All gateway test specimens shall achieve certain minimum performance levels for air leakage resistance, water penetration resistance, uniform load, and where required, forced-entry resistance and operating force. All gateway test specimens shall achieve certain additional minimum performance levels of auxiliary (durability) and material tests specific to the product operator type.

Specialty type products are also included in the standard/specification. Examples of specialty products are non-standard geometric shapes such as, but not limited to, circle tops, ellipsoids, and other non-rectangular shapes. Specialty products shall comply with all applicable material, component, and hardware requirements of this Standard/Specification. However, specialty products shall not be required to comply with any minimum gateway width and/or height requirements of this Standard/Specification. (See page 114 of standard.)