A M E R I C A N A R C H I T E C T U R A L

AAMA 2501-06
Voluntary Guideline For
Engineering Analysis of
Window and Sliding Glass
Door Anchorage Systems

M A N U F A C T U R E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forward ..................................................................................1

1.0 Scope...............................................................................1

2.0 Definition Of Window And Sliding Glass Door

Anchorage Systems ............................................................1

3.0 Structural Analysis Requirements..........................................1

4.0 Documentation And Submittals ............................................2

5.0 Window And Sliding Glass Door Anchorage Systems.................2

6.0 Required Information And Procedure.....................................3

7.0 References ........................................................................3

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AAMA 2501-06
PUBLISHED: 3/06

American Architectural Manufacturers Association

1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE (847) 303-5664 FAX (847) 303-5774
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org WEBSITE www.aamanet.org
FORWARD
This AAMA voluntary guideline for engineering
analysis of window and sliding glass door anchorage
systems provides architects, specifiers, code officials
and consultants with an industry approved document
that can be referenced in project specifications and
contract documents. This document outlines the
minimum requirements for structural analysis by
engineering calculation. Although the general
principles outlined herein may apply to curtain walls,
the analysis of curtain wall systems is more complex
and therefore analysis of these systems is not
included in this document.
This guideline is specifically for window and sliding
glass door products that are tested per
AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 or
AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97 and rated by the
Performance Grade that follows the type and class
designation. For example, an H-HC40 is a Hung
(operator type) HC - Heavy Commercial
(performance class) and 40 (performance grade). The
performance grade numbers represent design pressure
in psf for the window or sliding glass door product at
a specific gateway size and configuration.
When a window or sliding door product is specified
by the type, class and performance grade, this
indicates that the product meets a specific design
pressure as tested in one specific anchorage system.
Reality dictates that these window and sliding glass
door products are often installed with different
anchorage systems and product fastening
arrangements than they were tested in the laboratory.
These anchorage and fastener differences create a
number of variables that may affect the overall
design pressure performance of the installed product.
If a specific window or sliding glass door product
installation is different than what was used for testing
in the laboratory, this document is an appropriate
reference to verify that the anchorage system
conforms to the project specifications.
NOTE: Rated window and sliding glass door
products are often tested without mullions, in single
“punched” applications in a wood “buck.” The
actual installed product may have various mullions,
transoms, subframe systems or substrates, and could
require vastly different anchoring types and spacing
from the rated tested unit. The installed product may
require multiple fasteners concentrated at mullions,
muntins or meeting rails, which may differ greatly
from the as tested, rated product.
AAMA 2501-06
1.0 SCOPE
1.1 This voluntary AAMA guideline establishes the
minimum requirements to confirm that a window or
sliding glass door anchorage system provides a load
resistance with appropriate safety factor that is equal
to or greater than the project specific design pressure
requirements, and supports the product in a manner
equivalent to that tested.
1.2 If the project specific design pressure
requirements have not been established by the project
documents, the minimum load resistance with
appropriate safety factor required for the window and
sliding glass door attachment systems and methods
shall be at least the minimum required by local code
requirements. In the absence of code requirements,
the minimum requirements of the current ASCE 7
standard shall be met.
2.0 DEFINITION OF WINDOW
AND SLIDING GLASS DOOR
ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS
2.1 For the purpose of this document a window or
sliding glass door anchorage system is defined as any
structural component attached to the product for the
purpose of retaining the product in the wall opening.
No structural strength shall be assumed for sealants
or flashing materials.
3.0 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Engineering calculations signed and sealed by a
registered professional engineer shall be submitted to
verify that the design of the window and sliding glass
door product anchorage satisfies the project specific
design pressure requirements. The engineer shall
also verify that the anchorage supports the window or
sliding glass door products in a manner equivalent to
that of the tested sample.
Engineering calculations shall reference shop
drawings when available. In the absence of shop
drawings, the engineer shall provide a detailed sketch
of the analyzed openings.
Page 1
4.0 DOCUMENTATION AND
SUBMITTALS
4.1 One or more copies of the original set of
calculations signed and sealed by a registered
professional engineer shall be provided with the
product shop drawing submittal when required. In the
absence of shop drawings, the engineer shall provide
a detailed sketch of the analyzed openings.
5.0 WINDOW AND SLIDING
GLASS DOOR ANCHORAGE
SYSTEMS
5.1 Window and sliding glass door anchorage
systems are too numerous and varied to cover every
possible detail in this voluntary guideline. Figure 1 is
a schematic drawing of a direct connection of a
typical window frame to the surrounding substrate,
and illustrates most of the required information listed
in Section 6.0. All anchorage systems that are to be
analyzed in accordance with this guideline (such as
nail fins, framing receptors, anchor clips, etc.) require
similar dimensioning and information.

NOTE: SKETCH SHOWS A

SCHEMATIC DRAWING FOR
WINDOW/DOOR FRAMING
CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE
SURROUNDING SUBSTRATES.
FRAMING EDGE DISTANCES OTHER ANCHOR DESIGNS AND
ORIENTATIONS WILL REQUIRE
SIMILAR DIMENSIONING AND
FASTENER
INFORMATION.

FRAMING
SHIM THICKNESS
HEIGHT

BEARING SURFACE
EDGE DISTANCES
SUBSTRATE
THICKNESS

SUBSTRATE EDGE DISTANCES

DESIRED INFORMATION FOR COMMON SUBSTRATE MATERIALS

METALS WOOD CONCRETE

* THICKNESS (GAGE) * SPECIES * 28-DAY STRENGTH
* ALLOY * NORMAL OR LIGHT WEIGHT
* GRADE (TEMPER) * THICKNESS
* STRENGTH CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS
* TYPE & STRENGTH
* HOLLOW OR FILLED (GROUTED) CORES

FIGURE 1

AAMA 2501-06 Page 2


6.0 REQUIRED INFORMATION
AND PROCEDURE
6.1 The following information is required for the
engineering analysis of the anchorage system:
6.1.1 Dimensions of the installed window and the
rough opening.
6.1.2 Profiles and material properties of the window
frame, parts, and anchors.
6.1.3 Required design pressure of the installed
window or sliding glass door system.
6.1.4 Details and material specifications for the
surrounding wall conditions about the window or
sliding glass door product perimeter.
6.1.5 Design capacities of the fasteners for the
surrounding wall condition and material
specifications.
6.1.6 Building movements relative to window or
sliding glass door framing anchorage.
6.1.7 Anchorage configuration of the product tested
for performance grade certification.
6.2 The engineering analysis provided shall follow
the following basic procedure:
6.2.1 Propose an anchorage arrangement.
6.2.2 Establish the maximum design load per
attachment.
AAMA 2501-06
6.2.3 Determine the forces acting on the attachments.
6.2.4 Select an attachment system to resist the
determined forces.
6.2.5 Confirm that the window or sliding glass door
frame can resist the forces at the attachment points.
6.2.6 Report the required anchorage and/or fastener
quantity, spacing, type, material, strength,
embedment, edge distances and other parameters as
appropriate.
7.0 REFERENCES
7.1 References to the standards listed below shall be
to the edition indicated. Any undated reference to a
code or standard appearing in the requirements of this
standard shall be interpreted as referring to the latest
edition of that code or standard.
7.2 American Architectural Manufacturers
Association (AAMA)
AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2-97,
Voluntary Specifications for Aluminum, Vinyl
(PVC) and Wood Windows and Glass Doors
AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440,
Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors and Unit
Skylights
7.3 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and
Other Structures
Page 3
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550
Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE (847)303-5664 FAX (847)303-5774
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org
WEBSITE www.aamanet.org