2.1 Fenestration affects building energy use through four basic mechanisms: thermal heat transfer, solar heat gain, visible transmittance and air leakage. Condensation resistance is considered not to affect energy use and is therefore not a concern of the building codes. However, CRF is an improtant thermal performance characteristic and is therefore included in this document.
2.2 This document covers glazed fenestration systems such as windows, curtain walls, window walls, storefronts and other glazed products that are installed in commercial buildings (buildings other than low-rise residential buildings). For non-vertical products such as slope glazing or products with projecting elements that do not increase usable follr space, refer to the generalized equation in Section 8.1 and the specific building application.
2.3 Products not covered by this standard include fenestration systems(windows, doors, skylights)intended for use in low-rise residential applications. Please see AAMA 1503 or NFRC 100 for determining the thermal performance ratings for these products.
2.4 This document provides manufacturers, architects, builders and code authorities with a means to verify product performance. National energy codes and standards relating to commercial buildings include:
ASHRAE/IES Energy Code for Commercial and High-Rise Residential Buildings
ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential buildings
IBC International Building Code
IECC International Energy Conservation Code
2.5 This document provides manufacturers, architects and builers with information on the energy performance of fenestration systems installed in commercial buildings.
This information can be useful in determining overall building perofrmance, occupant comfort and HVACsizing. However,care must be taken when extrapolating such imformation from the product ratings developed in accordance with this standard. Product performance ratings are determined under stanardized conditions, which may not represent the environmental conditions into which the product is installed.
2.6 Energy use in commercial buildings is typically dominated by cooling loads; therefore lower SHGC ratings for fenestration products are desirable. Inrecognition of this phenomenon, there are weo rating methodologies presented herein for determining the solar heat gain coefficient of fenestration systems: a generic framing determination and a specimen specific determination. The generic rating provides a simple, conservative methodology that is very helpful in determining system design. The product specific rating utilizes the actual fenestration product framing system simulated and tested for U-factor determination.
2.7 This document contains the following:
Section 3.0 provides definitions pertinent to this document.
Section 4.0 defines and illustrates the four types of framing systems typically used in commercial fenestration systems.
Section 5.0 provides the methodology to determine and validate product lines.
Section 6.0 provides a method to determine U-factors and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGC) of specific fenestration systems.
Section 7.0 provides SHGC and Visible Transmittance(VT) of generic fenestration systems.
Section 8.0 provides instruction on how to determine an overall building specific U-factor, SHGC and VT.
Section 9.0 provides examples for determining overall U-factors.
Section 10.0 provides a list of reference documents.
Appendx 1 provides non-mandatory information for determining pre-calculated thermal performance values for four types of generic framing systems. The precalculated U-factors are conservative and may be used as an estimating tool in the early phases of design.
Appendix 2 provides test method references for air leakage and condensation resistance.
AAMA 507-2007 history
2015AAMA 507-2015 Standard Practice for Determining the Thermal Performance Characteristics of Fenestration Systems in Commercial Buildings
2012AAMA 507-2012 Standard Practice for Determining the Thermal Performance Characteristics of Fenestration Systems Installed in Commercial Buildings
2007AAMA 507-2007 Standard Practice for Determining the Thermal Performance Characteristics of Fenestration Systems Installed in Commercial Buildings