AAMA Releases Specification for Self-Adhering Flashing for Exterior Wall Fenestration Installation

American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has released an updated standard that establishes minimum performance requirements for self-adhering flashing surrounding exterior wall fenestration products. AAMA 711-13, Voluntary Specification for Self Adhering Flashing Used for Installation of Exterior Wall Fenestration Products, also provides a method to determine the minimum width of the flashing products and to evaluate the influence of environmental factors on the installation of self-adhering flashing products applied under typical field conditions.

“AAMA 711 is the only document dedicated to setting holistic material standards for self-adhering flashing used around windows and doors,” says Jim Katsaros (DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions), vice chair of AAMA’s Flashing Task Group. “Using flashing that meets this specification ensures that the flashing will have sufficient peel adhesion, nail sealability and durability through the anticipated exposure. The value of this specification is recognized by the ICC Residential Code, as it is referenced in IRC Section R708.3, stating that self-adhered membranes used as flashing shall comply with AAMA 711.”

Updated from the 2007 version, “the most significant change made to AAMA 711 was the addition of a modified version of ASTM G155 Xenon Arc Test as an alternative to ASTM G154 for accelerated weatherability testing,” says Kim Flanary (Milgard Manufacturing, Inc.), chair of AAMA’s Flashing Task Group. “AAMA 711 was re-opened in September of 2011 to add an option to test 4-inch-wide specimens in Section 5.3, make general editorial changes in line with AAMA 712 and to review the need to add a Flashing Sealant Compatibility section.”

AAMA 711 references important industry documents which include AAMA 800-10, Voluntary Specifications and Test Methods for Sealants; ASTM C734-06(2012), Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Flexibility of Latex Sealants After Artificial Weathering; ASTM C765-97(2011), Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Flexibility of Preformed Tape Sealants; ASTM D3330/3330M-04(2010), Standard Test Method for Peel Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tape; ASTM E331-00(2009), Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference; ASTM E631-06, Standard Terminology of Building Constructions; ASTM E2112-07, Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights; and ASTM G155-05a, Standard Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Non-Metallic Material.