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At the AAMA 80th Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ, the Vinyl Material Council reviewed some updates to standards and discussed an administrative change to InstallationMasters. They also heard an update from the Vinyl Institute and debated the merits of accelerated weathering and outdoor weathering. These topics and more will continue to be addressed at the next in-person event, AAMA’s Summer Conference in Newport, RI June 18-21.

AAMA 1506 Update Project Seeks Votes

The updated AAMA 1506-04, Voluntary Test Method for Laboratory Heat Build-Up Effects on Fenestration Products, was balloted to the Residential and Architectural Product Groups. The ballot is complete, and the task will schedule a call to review the results.

Corner Break Standard

The VMC Technical Steering Committee reports that a proposed new standard on corner break was balloted at the task group level. The standard would test welded corners of vinyl framing. It would use current criteria found in NAFS, but additionally propose alternate criteria that uses break force as a function of profile geometry rather than just visual observation. The ballot is complete, and the task will schedule a call to review the results.

AAMA Training Programs Take Center Stage

The developers of the InstallationMasters program will now be administering it, as well. As of March 16, AAMA will carry out all administrative actions related to InstallationMasters. The program will now be operated by AAMA, not ATI. Due to the inherent differences in installation practices for new construction versus remodeling and in response to industry input, AAMA is re-organizing the InstallationMasters course content into focused segments to better address market needs. This dedicated focus is represented in replacement-only and new construction-only classes. Because some installers may cover both applications, a new combined class is also being developed.

Later this year, the replacement-only class will be offered in addition to the existing program which currently covers both replacement and new construction applications. The new construction-only segment and the new combined segment (which, once available, will replace the existing program) will be released in 2018.

Meanwhile, the AAMA Board reviewed a Program and Service Evaluation (PSE) and decided to eliminate individual AIA course offerings through the Continuing Education Licensing Program (CELP) to focus on full scale professional certification programs, such as FenestrationMasters and InstallationMasters. Many of the existing AIA courses are part of the FenestrationMasters curriculum and will be updated with that program’s periodic review. Individual existing AIA courses will either be sunset or the content will be utilized for other promotional pieces, such as white papers. The NAFS-focused course, Specifying Windows, Doors and Skylights Utilizing Performance Standards, will continue to be available as part of CELP.

VI Counters Misguided Environmental Activism

The Environmental Stewardship Committee (chair: Tony Vella [Vision Extrusions]) noted that anti-vinyl initiatives persist on several fronts.

In response, VI has created a “Vinyl Verified” website that brings together science-based material supporting vinyl. Among its activities, it targets social media of writers that do not give all the facts. VI of Canada has put together a similar website: Letstalkvinyl.com, featuring Dr. Patrick Moore- cofounder of Greenpeace.

Search for Alternative Weathering Test Continues

The VMC Alternative Weathering Task Group (chair: Tony Vella [Vision Extrusions]) is investigating whether there exists an accelerated weathering method that replicates outdoor weathering. Comparisons between outdoor weathering, xenon arc and QUV test results are underway. The challenge is to duplicate the failure mechanism in outdoor weathering, mainly yellowing.

Interval data analysis and regression analysis of results of a recent test of eight samples representing a range of colors and grades, yielded no definitive results. Task group volunteers are currently subjecting the results to trend analysis, with conclusions to be presented at the upcoming national summer conference.

Clarification on Compound Changes

The question has arisen as to what constitutes a compound change deemed to affect performance. The current requirement states that if there is a modification to the compound that could affect performance, then testing for cell class per AAMA 303 is required. Also required is 2000 hours of QUV exposure is required to determine the rate of color change, known as Δ E, for the new compound. If the Δ E change is greater than 1, then 12 months of outdoor weathering is required before the compound can be used to produce AAMA certified profiles.