The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document to describe a standard test method and performance criteria for side-hinged door systems in the locked position to resist entry under a specified load and conditions. AAMA 1304-18, the Voluntary Specification for Determining Forced Entry Resistance of Side-Hinged Door Systems, seeks to measure the ability of the operable slabs to deter opportunistic entry by unskilled intruders. This specification was first created in 2002, and this is its first update.

“AAMA 1304 has long been used in the fenestration industry to evaluate the resistance of side-hinged doors to forced entry by opportunistic intruders,” said Mark Fortun (Endura Products), Vice Chair of the AAMA Side-Hinged Door Auxiliary Test Methods Task Group. “This latest update maintains the proven method, while further clarifying qualification criteria applicable to varying swing and glazing types, and specific procedural details regarding loading sequencing and positions for both single and multipoint locking assemblies.”

In this update, several changes were made, including the addition of sections spelling out qualification related to door swing and glazing types, a defined radius of a loading area and added criteria pertaining to broken glazing. Section 2.2 was updated to clarify this standard does not evaluate the resistance of glazing materials to deliberate impact or loading.

AAMA 1304-18, as well as other AAMA documents, may be purchased from AAMA’s online store. More information about AAMA and its activities can be found on the AAMA website.