NAFS Compliance for Windows, Doors & Skylights

The 2012 British Columbia Building Code references a new standard for fenestration performance, introducing new concepts and new terminology, and giving architects and specifiers the ability to specify performance and quality attributes with greater precision. For the first time, the performance requirements for listed fenestration products are covered by a single standards document: AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-08, NAFS North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors and skylights. Known in the industry as NAFS and called the Harmonized Standard in the building code, this document represents a significant departure from the standards used in the past. Subsection 9.7.4. of the 2012 BCBC requires windows, doors and skylights to conform to NAFS. This newly-referenced standard may require manufacturers to test a broader range of products. As a result, there may be a temporary shortage of NAFS-conforming products available in the province. Because of this, in April 2013 the provincial government revised the interim regulation permitting windows, doors and skylights to conform to either the 2006 BC Building Code or the 2012 BC Building Code referenced NAFS by extending the allowance period from July 2, 2013 to December 20, 2013.  This temporary delay will allow industry more time to have products tested and manufactured to the new NAFS standard.  Any window, door and skylight installed on or after December 21, 2013 must conform to the new NAFS standard as well as A440S1-09 Canadian Supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights. For a more information, click to see the revised Building and Safety Standards Branch bulletin.