FGIA updates and aligns three recommended test methods for seismic movement

by anthony_capkun_2 | 31 August 2026 2:26 pm

[1]

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance[2] (FGIA) has released several updated documents for recommended test methods for three types of movement during seismic events.

• AAMA 501.4, Recommended test method for lateral inter-story movements (drift).
• AAMA 501.6, Recommended dynamic test method for determining the seismic lateral inter-story movement causing glass fallout.
• AAMA 501.7, Recommended test method for vertical inter-story movements.

AAMA 501.4 provides a means of evaluating the performance of windows, window wall, curtain wall, and storefront systems when subjected to specified horizontal displacements in the plane of the wall.

AAMA 501.6 provides a means of determining the horizontal racking displacement amplitude of exterior wall system framing members that would cause the fallout of representative architectural glass panels under controlled laboratory conditions.

AAMA 501.7 provides a means of evaluating the performance of windows, window wall, curtain wall, and storefront wall systems when subjected to specified vertical displacements.

The most important change is that all three documents are now aligned with one another, explained Winco Window Company’s Lothar Erkens, who serves as vice chair of the FGIA Seismic and Wind-Induced Inter-Story Drift Review Task Group.

“While AAMA 501.4 and 501.6 were split from a single document into two documents for a good reason, the need to keep these texts aligned with each other was important,” said Erkens.

These documents can be purchased from FGIA’s online store[3] at the discounted member rate of $25 or the non-member price of $70.

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/news/fgia-updates-and-aligns-three-recommended-test-methods-for-seismic-movement/

---