Testing and specifications: Aluminum-framed fenestration assemblies

Conclusion

Modern educational facilities can be designed, specified, and constructed with large fenestration assemblies and glass expanses which maximize aesthetics, daylighting, and views, while addressing multiple performance requirements. Adding to buildings’ occupant safety goals, shooter attack-resistant performance requirements now also should be considered when selecting fenestration assemblies.

Specifying aluminum-framed curtain wall, storefront, entrance, and window systems verified to meet the Shooter Attack Test Method improves the available protection within schools, colleges, universities, and other learning centers.   cs

Author’s note: Sample specification

Building on previously approved specification language for high-performance whole fenestration product assemblies, here is a sample of selected text for aluminum-framed entrances and storefront systems for projects with active shooter attack requirements:¹⁰

This selected text is intended only as an example. The language will vary depending on the specified system and the project’s requirements. Please work with the building team and product manufacturer to determine appropriate and complete language.

This interim language is recommended by the author for use pending finalization of the ASTM Test Method for Forced Entry Resistance of Fenestration Systems after Simulated Active Shooter Attack, currently Work Item ASTM WK78966.

PART 1–GENERAL

1.05   Laboratory Testing and Performance Requirements

1. Test Procedures and Performance
2. FTD-SA–Filti Testing and Development, Standard for Shooter Attack

PART 2–PRODUCTS

2.01   Materials

A. Aluminum

1. 1. Extruded aluminum shall be 6063-T6 alloy and temper.

B.Shooter Attack Assembly Testing

1. 1. Products will be tested as a whole system, including doors, framing, and glass.
   2. Testing shall consist of a two-part test method. Part 1 requires the glass and door to be shot with an AR-15 .223 rifle: eight shots at the glass in a 457.2 mm (18 in.) diameter from center, with two additional shots 50.8 mm (2 in.) left and right of the center of the glass, for a total of 10 shots at the glass. There will also be four additional shots within a 228.6-mm (9-in.) diameter circle around the lock mechanism. One additional shot at the center of the lock, totaling five shots at the lock.
   3. Part 2 of the test method is to apply force to the complete assembly after the glass has been weakened by the shot sequence in Part 1. The force applied begins at 67.8 Nm (50 ft/lb) of energy and then increases in increments of 67.8 Nm (50 ft/lb). Each increase is assigned a class number.
   4. Complete assembly must successfully withstand a Class 5 shooter attack.
   5. Failure occurs when any part of the specimen fails, allowing an intruder to gain entry.

Potential energy of impactor and drop height for various levels of attack

C. Glass

A complete glass description is required for the manufacturer to supply appropriate glazing gaskets
even if glass and glazing is by others. Follow local building codes regarding safety glass.

Glass to be 25.4 mm (1 in.) Insulating glazing unit to meet FTD-SA Class 5 constructed as follows:

a. [product name] Shooter Attack rated by [manufacturer name]

b. Exterior lite – ___ thick, ___ color, ___ glass (annealed, heat-strengthened, tempered), with a surface coating of ___ on the #2 surface.

c. Air space of ___ mm (inch) [or argon filled].

d. Interior lite – [product name] Shooter Attack rated by [manufacturer name]

OR

Glass to be Laminated Monolithic to Meet FTD-SA Class 5 constructed as follows:

a. 7.9 mm (0.3125 in.) [product name] Shooter Attack rated by [manufacturer name]

Notes

¹ See K-12 School Shooting Database; Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security (HSx) program at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), Monterey, California; accessed June 11, 2022; https://www.chds.us/ssdb/.

² Refer to 2019 National Safety Security Protection Association (NSSPA) K-12 Active Shooter Study; accessed June 11, 2022; https://nsspa.org/statistics/2019-nsspa-k-12-active-shooter-study/.

³ See Education Week’s 2022 School Shooting Tracker; accessed June 9, 2022; https://www.edweek.org/leadership/school-shootings-this-year-how-many-and-where/2022/01.

⁴ Read “Active Shooter: A Role for Protective Design;” Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG); Joseph L. Smith, PSP and Daniel R. Renfroe, PSP, Applied Research Associates, Inc.; updated April 30, 2021; https://www.wbdg.org/resources/active-shooter-role-protective-design.

⁵ Read “School Security Glazing” FB71-21 Glass Technical Paper; National Glass Association (NGA) Technical Services Division; published Feb. 2021; available for purchase at https://members.glass.org/cvweb/cgi-bin/msascartdll.dll/ProductInfo?productcd=SCHOOLSECURITY.

⁶ See Armoured One; accessed June 11, 2022; https://armouredone.com/.

⁷ Refer to Intertek and Architectural Testing Inc. (ATI), Report No. G8684.01-119-12 Ballistics Performance Test, EFCO 5600 Series Aluminum Window Frame.

⁸ Refer to Shooter Attack Certification Testing; Filti Testing & Development; accessed June 11, 2022; https://filtitd.com/services/shooter-attack-certified-testing/.

⁹ Read “New Test Method for Forced-Entry-Resistant of Fenestration Systems after Simulated Active Shooter Attack,” Work Item ASTM WK78966; ASTM International, subcommittee F12.10; accessed June 12, 2022; https://www.astm.org/workitem-wk78966.

¹⁰ Read “Passing the Test: ASTM Develops Forced-Entry Security Standard,” USGlass Metal & Glazing; Julia Schimmelpenningh, Eastman Chemical Co. and ASTM WK78966 technical contact; published May 2022; https://www.usglassmag.com/2022/05/the-guestbook-may-2022/.

¹¹ See EFCO; accessed June 2022; https://efcocorp.com/.

Author

Marc Donahue is the director of agency partners’ programs at EFCO. He leads the team working in partnership with Armoured One to develop the industry’s first complete fenestration assemblies to successfully pass the Shooter Attack Test Method. Donahue can be reached at mdonahue@efcocorp.com.