FGIA Releases Updated Design Wind Loads Technical Information Report

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has updated a technical information report determining design wind loads on exterior fenestration and cladding systems using national standards ASCE/SEI 7-16 and ASCE/SEI 7-22, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. AAMA TIR-A15-23, Overview of Design Wind Load Determination for Fenestration Systems, an FGIA document, provides details for exterior fenestration and cladding systems and covers Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel (BLWT) testing and its use. This document was last updated in 2014 and is now available for purchase in the FGIA online store.

“Over the years, improvements in predicting wind velocities and patterns have been made so that many buildings can be reliably designed using the data and formulas provided in the 2016 and 2022 editions of ASCE/SEI 7,” said Rich Rinka, FGIA Technical Manager, Fenestration Standards and U.S. Industry Affairs and staff liaison for the document’s developing group, the FGIA Design Wind Loads on Fenestration Task Group. “BLWT testing is still necessary, however, under certain conditions that cannot reliably be predicted.”

Wind load is a principal load to which components and cladding, exterior fenestration and cladding systems are subjected. It is of paramount importance, therefore, to have some knowledge of wind and how it acts on the building envelope to ensure a structurally adequate design is achieved.

“FGIA members interested in learning more are encouraged to review a presentation about ASCE/SEI7 from the April 25 Southeast Region Meeting,” said Rinka. FGIA member login is required to view this presentation.

AAMA TIR-A15-23, as well as other documents available from FGIA, may be purchased from the online store at the discounted member rate of $20 or the non-member price of $60.

For more information about FGIA and its activities, visit FGIAonline.org.