Quick Guide: Performance Tests and Ratings

Forced Entry

a 3-phase test. First, testers try opening the window with a knife, screwdriver, or wire. Second, they attach cables to the window or door to try to pull it open. Third, for continued resistance, they try again with the tools.

Product		AAMA Rating
Windows		F1: locking system not tested for forced entry. F2: passed test successfully.
Doors		F1: passed minimal level. F2: passed at a superior level.

Water resistance:

Measured by directing the equivalent of 8 inches (200 mm) of rain per hour onto a window or door surface. Air pressure simulates winds of 30 to 77 mph (50 to 125 km/h). Ratings indicate the pressure reached without interior water leakage.

AAMA
Test pressure			Rating
Pa	Psf	mph
575	12	69	120
575	12	69	100
575	12	69	50
432	9	60	60
288	6	49	40
144	3	35	20

*AAMA rating based on 15% of DP (design pressure, or the pressure the product was designed to withstand).

Air resistance:

Measured by applying 75 Pa of pressure (equivalent to a steady 34-mph/24km/h wind) to the exterior. Interior air infiltration is then measured in cubic feet per minute per square foot of window or door joint.

AAMA

Maximum allowable infiltration:
0.3 cfm/ft2

Wind resistance:

Measures the wind pressure windows can withstand without breakage (shattering) or permanent damage (deformation).

AAMA
Test Pressure			Rating*
Pa	Psf	mph
8650	180	268	120
7200	150	244	100
5750	120	219	80
4300	90	189	60
2880	60	154	40
1400	30	109	20

*AAMA rating based on 150% of DP (design pressure, or the pressure the product was designed to withstand).

Download our test results and product ratings

Press Release 2002_cp
(PDF Document, 2.5 mb)