Schaumburg, Ill. -- As tornado season escalates and increased tornado activity has devastated parts of the Midwest and the South during the past few weeks, the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has released a voluntary specification for testing and rating building components that will be exposed to tornados and similar extreme wind and rain conditions.
AAMA 512-11, Voluntary Specifications for Tornado Hazard Mitigating Fenestration Products, uses existing test methods and other procedures to qualify windows and other glazed fenestration products for tornado hazard mitigation. The newly released document provides a system for rating the ability of windows to withstand impact, pressure cycling and water penetration, which are generally associated with tornado conditions.
AAMA 512 is a voluntary specification that was developed by the AAMA Tornado Hazard Mitigation Task Group and is recommended for buildings heavily affected by tornados.
“The National Climatic Data Center estimates that a series of tornados in the Southeast and Ohio Valley in February 2008 caused $1 billion in damages,” says Gantt Miller (Winco Manufacturing) who chaired the Task Group that created the Specification. “In creating this specification, the intent is that injury, loss of life and damages resulting from tornados and severe weather can be prevented or greatly lessened.”
The specification outlines that different levels of protection apply to different buildings such as, but not limited to, hospital emergency rooms, community shelters, and police/fire headquarters. These levels of protection are specified based on requirements of the authority having jurisdiction, and each level corresponds to different testing requirements. The level of testing required for each of these types of facilities also depends on the FEMA performance zone where the building is located, as the weather conditions and likelihood of a tornado varies depending on the part of the country.
The Testing and Performance Requirements section of the specification outlines the necessary test conditions for adhering to AAMA 512. According to the specification, test specimens should be tested for anchorage, missile impact, water testing and cycling (for windows used in hurricane-prone zones only).
AAMA 512-11, Voluntary Specifications for Tornado Hazard Mitigating Fenestration Products is available to AAMA members at a cost of $15 for download, $30 for a paper copy and $35 for a CD. Non-members may purchase the document at a cost of $45 for download, $90 for a paper copy and $96 for a CD. To order AAMA 512-11, visit the AAMA Online Publication Store. AAMA 512-11 is also available to AAMA Category 1 members through the Publication Licensing Program.
Related Stories
Energy-Efficient Design | Feb 18, 2016
How to make a ‘pure’ glass sphere
Creating a 25-story energy-generating globe for Expo 2017 in Kazakhstan put Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture to the test.
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Feb 8, 2016
The State of the Fire Rated Glass Industry
After a strong 2015, demand for fire resistive glass continues to grow
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Jan 27, 2016
Saving Energy & Birds at the Boulevard Club
The Boulevard Club is a century old structure in Toronto which needed an expansion. The windows facing Lake Ontario needed to be bird friendly in order to reduce the number of window collisions. In this case, AviProtek E bird friendly low-e coated acid-etched glass was the right choice.
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Dec 11, 2015
Glass industry gives back during the holidays
The holiday season is generally a time when individuals and companies ramp up their charitable giving. The glass industry is no different.
Curtain Wall | Nov 4, 2015
Curved glass curtains will give Washington, D.C., office building more views and floor space
Around 900 fluted glass panes will cover 2050 M Street, which will contain television studios for CBS.
Glass and Glazing | Oct 19, 2015
Safti First completes $6 million expansion in U.S. manufacturing operations
Being the first fully vertically-integrated fire rated glazing USA-manufacturer enables Safti First to provide the fastest lead times, most competitive prices and best coordination
Glass and Glazing | Sep 10, 2015
As commercial construction booms, glass supply is lagging demand
Manufacturers are frantically restarting plants they mothballed during the economic downturn.
BIM and Information Technology | Aug 28, 2015
MIT researchers develop 3D printer that produces intricate glass structures
The machine uses molten glass as its “ink,” contained in a “kiln cartridge” that heats up at 1,900 degrees until it is molten and pliable.
Sponsored | Glass and Glazing | Aug 17, 2015
Specialty tempered glass??
Tempered glass is an excellent choice for large expanses of glass that maximize clear views while providing significant wind load and thermal stress resistance.
