scope:

Preface

This is the first edition of the User guide to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS - North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights. It is jointly published by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), and CSA Group.

Throughout this user guide, AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS will be referred to simply as "NAFS".

This user guide was developed as a non-mandatory, advisory document and is published as a public service. AAMA, CSA Group, WDMA, the individual members of the CSA Technical Committee on Performance Standard for Windows, and the U.S.A./Canada Joint Document Management Group (JDMG) disclaim all liability for the use, application, or adaptation of the material published in this user guide.

In the event of any conflict between this user guide and NAFS, the provisions of NAFS prevail.

Intended users of NAFS include code officials, manufacturers, architects, engineers, consumers, builders, contractors, trade associations, test labs, specifiers, and government agencies. This user guide is intended to provide those users with guidance for the proper application of NAFS. It contains informative commentary, illustrations, and examples to help answer some of the more common questions associated with NAFS.

Two fundamental applications for NAFS are product comparison and code compliance. AAMA, CSA Group, and WDMA intend for NAFS to be referenced in U.S. International Building Codes and in the National Building Code of Canada. NAFS presents provisions addressing fenestration product requirements, under the control of the unit manufacturer, contained in those codes.

CSA A440S1-09, Canadian Supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS - North American Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights, provides additional requirements to NAFS for compliance in Canada. The Canadian Supplement is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of NAFS. The Canadian Supplement was prepared by the CSA Technical Committee on the Performance Standard for Windows, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Building Products and Systems, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

NAFS and this user guide were jointly prepared by the CSA Technical Committee on Performance Standard for Windows, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Building Products and Systems, and by the U.S.A./Canada Joint Document Management Group (JDMG). This body includes representatives from AAMA, CSA Group, WDMA, and other interested parties. NAFS and this user guide have been formally approved by the members of AAMA, by the CSA Technical Committee, and by the members of WDMA. A list of the members of the CSA Technical Committee is available upon request.

Notes:

(1) Use of the singular does not exclude the plural (and vice versa) when the sense allows.

(2) Although the intended primary application of NAFS is stated in its Scope, it is important to note that it remains the responsibility of the users of the Publication to judge its suitability for their particular purpose.

(3) NAFS and this user guide were developed by consensus, which is defined by CSA Group Policy governing standardization - Code of good practice for standardization as "substantial agreement. Consensus implies much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity". It is consistent with this definition that a member may be included in the Technical Committee list and yet not be in full agreement with all clauses of this Standard.

(4) AAMA, WDMA, and CSA Group publications are subject to periodic review, and suggestions for their improvement will be referred to the appropriate committee.

(5) All enquiries regarding NAFS and this user guide, including requests for interpretation, should be addressed to the American Architural Manufacturers Association, 1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173-4268 USA, to CSA Group, 5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4W 5N6, or to the Window & Door Manufacturers Association, 330 North Wabash ave., Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60611-4267 USA.

(6) Requests for interpretation should

(a) define the problem, making reference to the specific clause, and, where appropriate, include an illustrative sketch;

(b) provide an explanation of circumstances surrounding the actual field condition; and

(c) be phrased where possible to oernut a specific "yes" or "no" answer.

Committee interpretations are processed in accordance with the CSA Group Directives and guidelines governing standardization and are published in CSA Group's periodical Info Update, which is available on the CSA Group Web site.