Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

Reducing Water Intrusion

Through Windows and Doors

Recovery Advisory 3

August 2023

DR-4673-FL RA 3

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

Table of Contents

1. Purpose and Intended Audience ................................................................................. 1

1. Key Issues............................................................................................................................ 1

2. This Recovery Advisory Addresses ....................................................................................... 1

2. Performance Grade Ratings for Windows and Doors and Water Intrusion ..................... 2

1. Testing requirements for windows and sliding doors .......................................................... 3

1.1. AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 ....................................................................... 3

1.2. TAS 202................................................................................................................... 5

2. Testing requirements for side-hinged doors ........................................................................ 8

3. Florida Building Code Exceptions to Water Intrusion Testing for Doors .......................... 9

4. Installation, Flashing, and Sealing of Windows and Doors .......................................... 10

1. Installation/anchorage ..................................................................................................... 10

2. Flashing and Sealing ........................................................................................................ 10

4.3. I

mportant Considerations for Sliding Doors ..................................................................... 12

5. Maintenance of Windows and Doors ......................................................................... 14

1. Sealant Joints ................................................................................................................... 14

2. Other Maintenance ........................................................................................................... 14

6. Resources................................................................................................................ 15

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

Figures

Figure 1: Typical temporary supplement window label for a product tested to

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440. Figure used with permission. ....................................... 5

Figure 2: Typical temporary supplemental window label for a product tested to TAS 202.

Figure used with permission. .................................................................................................. 6

Figure 3: Overhang exception to water penetration testing for doors in the FBCB and FBCR. .............. 9

Figure 4: Using a removable stop to protect exposed sealants. Source: FEMA P-499 ........................11

Figure 5: Pan flashing for window and door openings. Source: FEMA P-499 ......................................12

Figure 6: Typical sill riser detail for sliding doors. Figure used with permission. .................................13

Figure 7: Sill riser on sliding door. Photo used with permission...........................................................13

Figure 8: Typical drainage weepholes (red circles). Photo used with permission. ...............................15

Tables

Table 1: AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 PG Ratings – Wind Design Pressure and Water

Penetration Resistance .......................................................................................................... 4

Table 2: Summary of Water Penetration Testing Requirements in the FBCB and FBCR ....................... 8

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

1. Purpose and Intended Audience

This Recovery Advisory outlines observations from Hurricane Ian in Florida, DR-4673-FL, that provide

insights regarding building improvement opportunities. These recommendations are applicable to

buildings experiencing similar issues and need not be limited to the state or disaster in which they

were observed.

This Recovery Advisory provides important recommendations to reduce water intrusion through and

around windows and doors due to wind-driven rain during extreme wind events. Water intrusion

through and around windows and doors can damage interior finishes and interior contents. Water

intrusion can also lead to algae and mold growth and may result in degradation or complete loss of

building function, until adequate repairs are made. This Recovery Advisory addresses specific issues

observed by the FEMA Hurricane Ian Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) in Florida and provides

recommended techniques to reduce water intrusion through windows and doors during extreme wind

events. This advisory does not address water intrusion through windows and doors due to flooding.

The primary audience for this Recovery Advisory includes building owners, operators, and managers;

design professionals; building officials; contractors; and municipal building and planning officials.

1.1. Key Issues

The key issues addressed in this advisory for consideration during rebuilding and mitigation activities

are as follows:

 Water intrusion through and around windows and doors due to wind-driven rain can result in

costly damage to interior finishes and furnishings.

 Water intrusion around window and door openings can cause dry rot and fastener corrosion that

weaken the window or door frame or the wall itself.

 Window and door assemblies that are not tested for water penetration resistance, or are not

tested to the required level can enable water to penetrate through the product and into the

building, resulting in costly damage.

 Inadequate flashing techniques can enable water to enter the building around windows and

doors, resulting in costly damage.

 The lack of proper product maintenance as specified by the manufacturer can result in poor

water penetration resistance around windows and doors, resulting in costly damage.

1.2. This Recovery Advisory Addresses

This Recovery Advisory addresses the following:

 Performance Grade (PG) Ratings for Windows and Doors and Water Intrusion

 Florida Building Code Exceptions to Water Intrusion Testing for and Doors

 Installation, Flashing, and Sealing of Windows and Doors

 Maintenance of Windows and Doors

 Resources

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

This Recovery Advisory was developed primarily for the State of Florida as a result of observations

from the FEMA Hurricane Ian MAT. However, the recommendations and issues addressed can be

applied throughout the United States to minimize damage caused by water intrusion through

windows and doors.

Florida Product Approval

The State of Florida requires product approval for the building envelope components addressed

in this Recovery Advisory. A Florida Product Approval (Product Approval) certifies that the product

has been designed or tested to the standards required in the building code. Although local

product approval is permitted, most manufacturers opt for statewide Product Approval. The

database of products approved through the statewide Product Approval system is available at

www.floridabuilding.org. A Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) is a local product approval

that is similar to a statewide Product Approval. Miami-Dade NOAs are product certifications

offered by Miami-Dade County that certify that products have been designed or tested to the

High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements in the Florida Building Code. Because the

HVHZ requirements typically meet or exceed the requirements in the rest of the state, most

jurisdictions in Florida will also accept Miami-Dade NOAs as well as statewide Product Approvals.

Manufacturers with products that also meet the HVHZ requirements can list their products as

complying with the HVHZ requirements as part of their statewide Product Approval. Miami-Dade

NOAs are available at https://www.miamidade.gov/building/pc-searchapp.asp. Windows and

doors with statewide Product Approvals and/or NOAs can be relied upon by applicable

stakeholders to provide a level of confidence of given standards of performance during wind

events.

2. Performance Grade Ratings for Windows and Doors

and Water Intrusion

Water intrusion through and around windows and doors as observed after Hurricane Ian, often

occurs during the high winds and heavy rain that typically accompany hurricanes. Most windows and

doors are required to be subjected to a series of tests that include air infiltration, wind pressure, and

water penetration resistance in addition to other operability tests. (Note: American Architectural

Manufacturers Association [AAMA] / Window and Door Manufacturers Association [WDMA] / CSA

Group [CSA] 101/I.S.2/A440

characterizes a product’s water intrusion resistance as water

penetration resistance. In this section, where the term water penetration resistance is used, it refers

to a product’s resistance to water intrusion.) For windows and doors tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440, a product’s performance grade (PG) rating correlates to the lowest outcome of

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 is the North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and

Skylights.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

each of these applicable performance tests. A product with a higher PG rating will have better

resistance to water infiltration.

2.1. Testing requirements for windows and sliding doors

Flashing and sealing methods are used to mitigate the effects of water intrusion around windows

and doors. However, windows and doors should also be tested for water intrusion that may occur

through the product or assembly. The resistance of water penetration through the product is

determined by testing specified in AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 or TAS (Testing Application

Standard) 202.

e Florida Building Code, Building (FBCB) and Florida Building Code, Residential (FBCR) require

windows and sliding doors to be tested and labeled to indicate compliance with AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440 or TAS 202. In the HVHZ, all windows and doors are required to be tested to TAS

202. Although AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 and TAS 202 are similar tests, they differ

somewhat in how water penetration resistance is qualified.

2.1.1. AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 is a standard that certifies window and door products for air

leakage resistance, wind pressure resistance, water penetration resistance and other performance

tests as applicable. The water penetration resistance of products tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440 does not always directly correlate to the wind design pressure (DP) rating, and

therefore, the DP rating is not always an indication of water penetration resistance. The important

designation regarding water penetration resistance is the PG rating. This designator is well

understood in the window industry but is not typically well understood outside the industry. The PG

rating indicates that the product has met a specific set of performance tests that include wind

pressure resistance and water penetration resistance. A product’s PG rating correlates to the lowest

outcome of each of the applicable performance tests.

A product with the PG rating of 60 has a minimum DP rating of 60 pounds per square foot (psf) and

has passed the water penetration resistance test at 15% of the positive DP rating, 9 psf. The higher

the PG rating, the more resistant the product is to water penetration. A PG 60 product has been

tested for water penetration resistance at four times the pressure of a PG 15 product. Table 1

compares some common PG ratings and the water penetration resistance test pressures and shows

how PG and DP ratings can diverge and affect the water penetration resistance test pressure. Using

the rows below with the asterisks as an example, the positive DP ratings are same, but the one with

a higher PG rating is tested to a higher water penetration resistance test pressure.

TAS 202 is the Criteria for Testing Impact & Non-impact Resistant Building Envelope Components Using Uniform Static

Air Pressure, which is contained in the Florida Building Code Test Protocols for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (ICC

2020).

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

Table 1: AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 PG Ratings – Wind Design Pressure and Water

Penetration Resistance

PG Rating

Wind DP Rating

(positive)

Water Penetration Resistance Test Pressure

(15% of PG Rating)

15 15 psf 2.25 psf

30 30 psf 4.5 psf

40 40 psf 6 psf

40* 50 psf* 6 psf*

50* 50 psf* 7.5 psf*

60 60 psf 9 psf

psf = pounds per square foot

*PG rating is less than DP rating

It is commonly assumed that windows and doors are tested for water penetration resistance at 15%

of the positive DP rating. While that is true for products tested to TAS 202 (see TAS 202 section in

this advisory), it is not necessarily true for products tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440,

which specifically states that the positive DP rating is not an indicator of water penetration

resistance performance. For the AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 standard, the water penetration

resistance is tested at 15% of the PG, which may not always correspond to 15% of the positive DP

rating.

The FBCB and FBCR require products to have a permanent label, marking, or etching that provides

traceability to the manufacturer and product. They also require additional information about the

product that includes the positive and negative DP rating, in addition to other items, to be on the

permanent label or a temporary supplement label that can be removed after the final inspection

(most manufacturers opt to put the additional information on the temporary supplemental label).

Although the FBCB and the FBCR require the positive and negative DP ratings to be shown on the

product label, they do not specifically require the PG rating to be on the label. However,

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S 2/A440 does require the product label to include the PG rating, in

addition to the DP rating. Code enforcement personnel and others look at labels to ensure the

product has met the required DP rating. For water penetration resistance, the PG rating is the most

important designation. A product with a higher PG rating has been tested for water penetration

resistance at a higher level. The PG rating should be on the product label alongside the positive and

negative DP rating. Figure 1

shows a typical temporary supplemental window label and points out the

PG rating and DP rating.

The PG rating should equal the positive DP rating. The negative DP rating is

not correlated to water penetration resistance and, therefore, its absolute value may exceed the PG

rating.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

gure 1: Typical temporary supplement window label for a product tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440. Figure used with permission.

2.1.2. TAS 202

Windows and sliding doors are permitted to be tested in accordance with TAS 202 as an alternative

to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440. In the HVHZ, all windows and doors are required to be tested

to TAS 202. Figure 2 shows a typical temporary window label with the DP rating and TAS 202 testing

standard. The performance tests in TAS 202 are similar to those in AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440. However, TAS 202 specifically requires windows and doors to be tested for water

penetration resistance at 15% of the positive DP rating. The water penetration test in TAS 202

directly correlates to the positive DP rating. Consequently, some products could actually qualify for a

higher positive DP rating in TAS 202 but are limited to a lower positive DP rating because of the

performance during the water penetration resistance part of the test. As in AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440, the negative DP rating does not correlate with the water penetration resistance of

the product.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

gure 2: Typical temporary supplemental window label for a product tested to TAS 202. Figure

used with permission.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

Best Window Types for Water Penetration Resistance

Fixed windows and operable window and door products with compression seals provide the best

resistance to water infiltration. Operable products include awning and casement type windows.

These products seal directly against the frame and provide the best resistance to water

penetration.

Examples of Windows with Most Effective Water Intrusion Resistance

Casement Window Fixed Window

Examples of Windows with Less Effective Water Intrusion Resistance

Double Hung Window Sliding Window

Key Recommendation:

For products tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, ensure all windows and sliding doors

have a PG rating that equals the positive DP rating for the product. Alternatively, ensure all

windows and doors have been tested to TAS 202.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

2.2. Testing requirements for side-hinged doors

In the HVHZ, all doors, including side-hinged doors, are required to be tested for water penetration

resistance except windows and doors that meet the exceptions to water intrusion testing (see next

section). Outside the HVHZ, side-hinged doors are not required to be tested for water penetration

resistance but are required to have a DP rating determined using the uniform static air pressure test

of ASTM International (ASTM) E330.

Products that have not been tested for water penetration

resistance will most likely not be effective in resisting wind-driven rain during a hurricane.

Table 2 provides a summary of water penetration testing requirements in the FBCB and FBCR.

Table 2: Summary of Water Penetration Testing Requirements in the FBCB and FBCR

Product Requirement Outside the HVHZ HVHZ

Windows

and

Sliding

Doors

Testing

Standards

AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440

TAS 202 TAS 202

Water

Penetration

Resistance

Test

15% of PG 15% of

Positive DP

Rating

15% of

Pressure

Rating

Labeling

Requirements

DP and PG DP DP

Side-

swinging

Doors

Testing

Standards

AAMA/WDMA/CSA

101/I.S.2/A440

TAS 202 ASTM

E330

TAS 202

Water

Penetration

Resistance

Test

15% of PG 15% of

Positive

DP Rating

None 15% of

Pressure

Rating

Labeling

Requirements

DP and PG DP DP DP

Key Recommendation:

 Side-hinged doors should be tested for compliance with AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440

or TAS 202. For products tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, ensure all doors,

including side-hinged doors, have a PG rating that equals the positive DP rating for the

product. Alternatively, ensure all windows and doors have been tested to TAS 202.

ASTM E330 is the Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain

Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

3. Florida Building Code Exceptions to Water Intrusion

Testing for Doors

The FBCB and FBCR provide a couple of exceptions to water testing for doors complying with

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 or TAS 202. These exceptions also apply in the HVHZ. Doors in

the following locations are not required by the code to be tested for water penetration:

 Door assemblies installed in non-habitable areas where the door assembly and area are

designed to accept water infiltration, and

 Door assemblies installed where the overhang ratio (OH ratio) (see F

igure 3) is equal to 1 or

more.

Non-habitable areas are areas not used for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. They include but are

not necessarily limited to bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, screen enclosures, and sunrooms.

However, the phrase “areas that are designed to accept water infiltration,” is not well defined. Non-

habitable areas have commonly been interpreted to also include doors that open to a foyer where a

foyer is connected to a living area but is interpreted to be a non-habitable area. Although the code

does not require doors in these areas to be tested for water penetration resistance, water infiltration

in these areas can still cause damage to interior contents and finishes.

The overhang exception, shown in Figure 3, applies where the length of the overhang is greater than

or equal to the overhang height (OH ratio equal to or greater than 1). While the overhang exception

may provide sufficient protection in areas outside hurricane-prone regions, it will not protect doors

from the wind-driven horizontal rain that commonly occurs during hurricanes.

igure 3: Overhang exception to water penetration testing for doors in the FBCB and FBCR.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

Key Recommendations:

 As a best practice, do not apply the exceptions to water penetration resistance testing in the

FBCB and FBCR. Ensure all doors have been tested for water penetration resistance even in

areas where the FBCB and FBCR do not require it.

 For products tested to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, ensure all doors have a PG rating

that equals the positive DP rating for the product.

 Alternatively, ensure all doors have been tested to TAS 202 and include the water

penetration resistance test.

4. Installation, Flashing, and Sealing of Windows

and Doors

Windows and doors must be installed, flashed, and sealed as specified by the manufacturer and/or

building code to provide the expected level of performance.

4.1. Installation/anchorage

Installation of windows and doors is not generic and is specific to each manufacturer to achieve the

required performance ratings such as the design wind DP rating and water penetration resistance.

Window and door manufacturers are required to provide installation instructions for their products

with their Product Approval. See the Florida Product Approval text box on page 2 of this advisory for

information on how to find Product Approvals for any product that has a Statewide Product Approval

or a Miami-Dade NOA. The installation instructions will vary by manufacturer and can also vary for

the same product depending on7 the required DP rating for the site-specific conditions where the

product is being installed. Section R609.7 of the 7th Edition (2020) FBCR specifies minimum

anchorage requirements, but primarily defers to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. It is

critical that windows and doors be installed as specified by the manufacturer.

4.2. Flashing and Sealing

Proper flashing and sealing of windows and doors is integral to preventing water infiltration due to

wind-driven rain. The primary function of flashing is to prevent the entry of water into a building from

a joint or opening. Flashing is required to be applied in shingle-like fashion, where the top layer laps

over the bottom layer to direct water down and out of a structure. One of the more common window

and door flashing mistakes is the failure to layer flashing in a shingle-like fashion. In addition,

flashing must extend to the surface of the exterior wall or to the water-resistive barrier for

subsequent drainage and/or to direct the water to weep holes.

Flashing for windows and doors generally falls into two categories: surface barrier method and

drainage system method. The barrier method primarily relies on installation and sealants to prevent

water penetration. The drainage system method permits water to enter but uses flashing, such as

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

metal/vinyl and self-adhered membranes and tapes, to direct water to the exterior of the building or

the water-resistive barrier.

A common problem with the barrier method is that sealants can degrade over time and will need to

be replaced once they exhibit signs of edge curling, cracking, and/or other breaks or delamination

(see Section 5 in this advisory). FEMA P-499, Homebuilders Guide to Coastal Construction (2010)

recommends that a removable “stop” be installed over exposed sealant to protect the sealant from

direct exposure to weather and reduce the wind-driven rain demand on the sealant (see Figure 4).

igure 4: Using a removable stop to protect exposed sealants. Source: FEMA P-499

The FBCB and FBCR specify several methods for flashing windows and doors, including:

 The fenestration manufacturer’s installation and flashing instructions

 The flashing manufacturer’s instructions

 The flashing design or method developed by a registered design professional

 FMA/AAMA 100, FMA/AAMA 200, FMA/WDMA 250, FMA/AAMA/WDMA 300, or

FMA/AAMA/WDMA 400

The FMA, AAMA, and WDMA standards were developed by the window industry to address common

installation methods in the State of Florida. The flashing/sealing methods in these standards have

been tested by the industry and have been shown to be effective in preventing water intrusion.

Where flashing instructions or details are not provided, the FBCB and FBCR require pan flashing to

be installed at the sill of exterior window and door openings. Pan flashing must be sealed or sloped

in such a manner as to direct water to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to the water-resistive

barrier for subsequent drainage. Pan flashing is required to incorporate flashing or protection at the

head and sides (rear leg and end dam). Minimum recommended end dam and rear leg heights are

addressed in Technical Fact Sheet No. 6.1 of FEMA P-499. See Figure 5.

FMA/AAMA 100, FMA/AAMA 200, FMA/WDMA 250, FMA/AAMA/WDMA 300, or FMA/AAMA/WDMA 400 are the

Fenestration Manufacturers Association (FMA), American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), and Window &

Door Manufacturers Association’s (WDMA’s) Installation Resources for Waterproofing.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

Figure 5: Pan flashing for window and door openings. Source: FEMA P-499

Additionally, while not specifically referenced in the FBCB or FBCR, ASTM E2112, Standard Practice

for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights, also provides comprehensive details for

window and door installation, including flashing techniques.

If the window and door assemblies are not anchored properly as specified by the Product Approval,

flashings and sealants may be less effective during a windstorm, resulting in water intrusion.

4.3. Important Considerations for Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are prone to water infiltration because of the nature of their construction. Most sliding

doors are considered “contain and drain” products in that they allow water penetration to occur but

contain the water in an integral sill pan and allow the water to drain to the exterior. This integral sill

pan includes a sill riser (sill dam) on the interior side of the door; see Figure 6 and Figure 7. The

height of the sill riser depends on the water penetration resistance rating of the product. The higher

the riser, the better the water penetration resistance. However, because the FBCB and FBCR provide

some exceptions to water penetration testing (for example, the overhang exception previously

discussed), some manufacturers may offer a “no riser” option on their products. Many homeowners

do not understand the importance of this riser and consider it a trip hazard or unsightly attachment

to their door and remove it. Without a riser or sill dam, sliding doors have little resistance to water

infiltration. Additionally, the termination ends of the integral sill pan must be sealed with an

approved sealant to the jambs at a height equal to the height of the sill riser.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

igure 6: Typical sill riser detail for sliding doors. Figure used with permission.

gure 7: Sill riser on sliding door. Photo used with permission.

Another key consideration for sliding doors is that the rough opening should be plumb and level. In

addition to affecting door operability, an unlevel surface under the track can cause cracks and

crevices under the track that enable water to infiltrate under the door. While wood shims can be

used to plumb the door on the sides and top of the rough opening, wood shims should not be used

to level the surface under the track. Wood shims will quickly rot and deteriorate if exposed to water.

The bottom on the rough opening should be leveled with grout or a similar product. Grout can

provide a solid level for the bottom track and impede water intrusion under the track.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

5. Maintenance of Windows and Doors

Windows and doors require periodic maintenance to ensure their continued operability and ability to

resist water infiltration.

5.1. Sealant Joints

Sealant joints require periodic inspection and replacement. If the sealant is cracked, discontinuous,

or delaminated, or there is a gap between the window or door frame and the wall, the entire joint

should be replaced. Two important things should be considered when replacing sealants:

 Always use sealants that comply with AAMA 800, ASTM C920 Class 25 Grade NS or greater,

ASTM C1281, or AAMA 812.

Check the product labeling to ensure that one of these standards is

identified and the product is indicated for exterior use.

 Ensure the sealant is compatible with the material it will be adhered to (i.e., masonry, aluminum,

wood, vinyl). Even a high-quality sealant will not remain in the joint if it is not compatible with the

product to which it is being adhered.

 Ensure that the sealant does not block any weep holes and/or misdirect the path of water runoff.

5.2. Other Maintenance

Periodically clean weatherstripping with soap and water. If the weatherstripping is damaged, contact

the window or door manufacturer for replacement.

Periodically inspect drainage openings (weep holes). As discussed previously in this Recovery

Advisory, drainage holes are a key element of “contain and drain” products and should not be

covered or plugged with caulk. They must be kept clean and free of debris to allow water that gets in

the product to drain to the exterior of the building as shown in Figure 8.

These standards are AAMA 800, Voluntary Specifications and Test Methods for Sealants; ASTM C920, Standard

Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants; ASTM C1281, Standard Specification for Preformed Tape Sealants for

Glazing Applications; and AAMA 812, Voluntary Practice for Assessment of Frame Deflection When Using One

Component Polyurethane Foams for Air-Sealing Rough Openings of Fenestration Installations.

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

gure 8: Typical drainage weepholes (red circles). Photo used with permission.

Ensure all windows and doors close tightly and firmly latch. Windows and doors that do not close

tightly may facilitate cracks and gaps between the window or door and the frame. These cracks and

gaps can permit water to infiltrate through the window or door when exposed to wind-driven rain.

6. Resources

ASCE/SEI. 2022. Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-22). ASCE

Standard ASCE/SEI 7-22. ASCE/SEI 7-2022 - M

inimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for

Buildings and Other Structures (ansi.org)

AAMA/WDMA/CSA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association / Window & Door

Manufacturers Association / CSA Group). 2017. North American Fenestration

Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights. AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-

17. AAMAWDMACSA-101I.S.2A440-11-NAFS-windows-doors-skylights.pdf (elitesafetyglass.com)

AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association). 2010. Voluntary Practice for Assessment

of Single Component Aerosol Expanding Polyurethane Foams for Sealing Rough Openings of

Fenestration Installations. AAMA 812-04(2010).

FGIA - A

AMA Updates Standard for Assessing

Frame Deflection When Using One Component Polyurethane Foams (fgiaonline.org)

AAMA. 2016. Voluntary Specifications and Test Methods for Sealants. AAMA 800-16. AAMA 800-16

Voluntary specifications and test methods for sealants, American Architectural Manufacturers

Association - Publication Index | NBS (thenbs.com)

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

ASTM (ASTM International). 2014. Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants. ASTM

C920-14A. ASTM C920-14a - Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants (ansi.org)

ASTM. 2014. Standard Specification for Preformed Tape Sealants. ASTM C1281-2014. ANSI

Webstore

ASTM. 2021. Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors,

Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference. ASTM E330.

Standard

Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls

by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference (ansi.org)

ASTM. 2023. Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights. ASTM

E2112-23.

ASTM E2112-23 - Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and

Skylights (ansi.org)

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2010. Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal

Construction (FEMA P-499).

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-

management/building-science/publications

FEMA. 2018. Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico Mitigation Assessment Team Report, FEMA

P-2020.

FEMA P-2020 Mitigation Assessment Team Report - Hurricanes Irma and Maria in

Puerto Rico

Hurricanes Maria and Irma in Puerto Rico Recovery Advisory 5, Protecting Windows and

Openings in Buildings.

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/hurricanes_irma_maria_in_pr_1-

6_0.zip

FEMA. 2020. Hurricane Michael in Florida Mitigation Assessment Team Report, FEMA P-2077.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Michael in Florida, Building Performance

Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance, FEMA P-2077/February 2020

Hurricane Michael in Florida Recovery Advisory 2, Best Practices for Minimizing Wind and

Water Infiltration Damage.

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/hurricane_michael_recovery_advisori

es.zip

FMA/AAMA (Fenestration Manufacturers Association / American Architectural Manufacturers

Association). 2012a. Standard Practice for the Installation of Windows with Flanges or Mounting

Fins in Wood Frame Construction for Extreme Wind/Water Conditions. FMA/AAMA 100-12.

Fenestration Manufacturers Association (hubspot.net)

FMA/AAMA. 2012b. Standard Practice for the Installation of Windows with Frontal Flanges for

Surface Barrier Masonry Construction for Extreme Wind/Water Conditions. FMA/AAMA 200-12.

SELF-ADHERING MEMBRANE DRAFT STANDARD* (hubspot.net)

Reducing Water Intrusion Through Windows and Doors

FMA/AAMA/WDMA. 2012. Standard Practice for the Installation of Exterior Doors in Wood Frame

Construction for Extreme Wind/Water Conditions. FMA/AAMA/WDMA 300-12.

fma-aama-

wdma_300-12_wdma_c.pdf

FMA/AAMA/WDMA. 2013. Standard Practice for the Installation of Exterior Doors in Surface Barrier

Masonry Construction for Extreme Wind/Water Conditions. FMA/AAMA 400-13.

FMA AAMA

WDMA 400-13.pd.pdf (hubspot.net)

FMA/WDMA (Fenestration Manufacturers Association / Window & Door Manufacturers Association).

2012. Standard Practice for the Installation of Non-Frontal Flange Windows with Mounting

Flanges for Surface Barrier Masonry Construction for Extreme Wind/Water Conditions.

FMA/AAMA 250-12. fma_wdma_250_2010_outline.pdf

ICC (International Code Council). 2020. Florida Building Code Test Protocols for the High-Velocity

Hurricane Zones, 7th Edition. TAS 202-94.

PREFACE, 2020 Florida Test Protocols for High-

Velocity Hurricane Zones, 7th Edition | ICC Digital Codes (iccsafe.org)

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technical drawings or maps, please contact the FEMA Building Science Helpline at

FEMA-

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