Boost Your Window Safety Strategy

As part of its ongoing effort to support window safety, FGIA released a new specification—AAMA 950-25, Specification for Window Opening Control Devices Installed on Operable Windows—for evaluating an operable window with an installed WOCD. This new document can be an important component to your window safety strategy.

While the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance holds awareness campaigns about window safety each spring and fall, those in the industry know it is an important issue all year round. Window opening control devices, or WOCDs, were introduced as a window fall prevention device starting with the 2008 version of the ASTM International F2090 standard.

The International Code Council first referenced ASTM F2090-08 in the 2012 International Residential Code and International Building Code, which established when WOCDs were required to be installed on operable windows. When properly designed, tested, specified and installed, WOCDs can help prevent or reduce accidental falls through open windows by young children, while allowing the ability to open the window fully as may be needed to exit in the event of an emergency. Improper use or failure to follow installation instructions may result in the WOCD being ineffective in preventing accidental falls through an open window.

ASTM F2090, Standard Specification for Window Fall Prevention Devices with Emergency Escape (Egress) Release Mechanisms, contains specifications for WOCDs regarding general requirements, performance tests, safety information, labeling requirements and installation instructions. AAMA 950 uses existing test methods found in ASTM F2090 to evaluate WOCDs installed on operable windows that have met the requirements of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors and skylights. Operable windows with an installed WOCD evaluated through AAMA 950 must satisfy the minimum requirements for their operator type, performance class and performance grade of the North American Fenestration Standard/Specification.

ASTM F2090 covers other types of window fall prevention devices such as window fall prevention guards and window fall prevention screens, but these devices are outside the scope of AAMA 950. This new specification evaluates factory-installed WOCDs or those specified by the window manufacturer as a field installed kit. That said, aftermarket WOCDs sold or installed on a window without the knowledge of, involvement from, or testing by the window manufacturer are outside the scope of AAMA 950. The AAMA 950 specification includes a list of referenced documents, requirements for test specimens, a qualification of alternate constructions, information about test procedures, the pass/fail criteria, and what is needed for inclusion in the final test report.