A M E R I C A N A R C H I T E C T U R A L

AAMA 906-05
Voluntary Specification
for Sliding Glass Door
Roller Assemblies

M A N U F A C T U R E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Scope ...............................................................................1

2.0 Purpose ............................................................................1

3.0 Definitions ........................................................................1

4.0 Classifications....................................................................1

5.0 Materials...........................................................................1

6.0 Construction ......................................................................1

7.0 Test Apparatus ...................................................................1

8.0 Test Specimens ..................................................................1

9.0 Test Loads.........................................................................1

10.0 Test Procedure..................................................................2

11.0 Performance Requirements .................................................2

12.0 Test Report......................................................................2

13.0 Marking...........................................................................2

AAMA. The Source of Performance Standards, Product Certification and

Educational Programs for the Fenestration Industry.

This voluntary specification was developed by representative members of AAMA

as advisory information and published as a public service. AAMA disclaims all
liability for the use, application or adaptation of materials published herein.

© 2005
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE 847/303-5664 FAX 847/303-5774
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org WEBSITE www.aamanet.org

All AAMA documents may be ordered at our web site in the “Publications Store”.

Original Publication: 906.1-71

Preceeding Document: 906-96
Revised: 4/2005
Published: 5/2005
1.0 SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers roller assemblies, with or
without height adjustment features, for use in sliding glass
doors.
1.2 The primary units of measure in this document are
metric. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
reference only.
2.0 PURPOSE
2.1 To establish minimum levels of quality for sliding
glass door roller assemblies.
2.2 Provide a standard method of evaluating mechanical
performance.
2.3 Provide a means by which sliding glass door
manufacturers can specify roller assemblies of desired
load-carrying capacity.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
3.1 Roller assembly for the purpose of this specification, a
roller assembly consists of roller(s), roller axle(s), any
roller tire(s), any roller assembly housing(s), any height
adjustment mechanism, and where used as an integral part
of the roller assembly, sill rail of the sliding glass door
operating panel.
4.0 CLASSIFICATIONS
4.1 Minimum classifications shall be 34 kg (75 lbs) per
roller assembly.
4.2 Other classifications shall be in multiples of 11.4 kg
(25 lbs).
5.0 MATERIALS
5.1 Roller assemblies shall be constructed of corrosion
resistant materials compatible with sliding glass door
framing materials. Carbon steel, when used, shall have a
corrosion resistant coating that meets the requirements of
AAMA 907-96, “Voluntary Specification for Corrosion
Resistant Coatings on Carbon Steel Components.”
AAMA 906-05
6.0 CONSTRUCTION
6.1 Roller assemblies with height adjustment features
shall provide accessible adjustment without removal from
the track.
7.0 TEST APPARATUS
7.1 A suitable test fixture shall be provided for mounting
of the test specimens. The test fixture shall consist of a
rigid carrier or supporting frame for roller assemblies and
a means of attachment for the roller assemblies to the test
fixture, while accommodating the application of desired
test loads.
7.2 A durable simulated track shall be provided by the
Door Roller manufacturer to accommodate the test
specimens. The track shall be made of a durable material
so as to not degrade, wear, or accumulate excessive heat
during the course of the test.
7.3 Weights or other suitable loading devices shall be
provided as required for application of test loads and
operating forces.
7.4 A cam, lever or other suitable device shall be provided
for raising the test fixture as required in 10.6.1.1.
7.5 A suitable reciprocating device shall be provided to
produce cycling action required in 10.6.2.2.
7.6 Instrumentation
7.6.1 A suitable instrument or instruments shall be
provided to measure clearances between the test fixture
and track.
7.6.2 A suitable device shall be provided to determine
operating forces.
7.6.3 Suitable means shall be provided for counting and
recording the number of cycles of reciprocating operation.
8.0 TEST SPECIMENS
8.1 Four roller assemblies shall be randomly selected
from stock.
9.0 TEST LOADS
9.1 The roller assembly manufacturer shall specify the
desired test load in accordance with Section 4.
Page 1
10.0 TEST PROCEDURE
10.1 Attach the test specimens to the test fixture so there
is a minimum distance of 760 mm (30 in) between wheel
centers.
10.2 Place the test fixture with test specimens attached, on
track in level position.
10.3 Set height adjustment, where provided, at the
approximate mid-range but in no case less than 1 mm
(0.04 in) from either extreme.
10.4 Apply specified test load to equally distribute the
load across all test specimens.
10.5 Measure initial clearance between track and roller
assembly's mounting surface on test fixture and report it
to the closest multiple of 0.13 mm (0.005 in).
10.6 Perform tests in the order given below using the
same test specimens and loads throughout.
10.6.1 Shock Load Tests
10.6.1.1 The fixture with roller attached shall be dropped
a distance of 6.4 mm (0.250 in). This can be
accomplished by raising the fixture/roller and letting it
drop freely, or by rolling over a 90 degree edge and
falling freely the requisite distance.
10.6.1.2 Move test fixture horizontally along the track
approximately 75 mm (3 in) and repeat 10.6.1.1.
10.6.1.3 Repeat 10.6.1.1 and 10.6.1.2 for four rollers.
This shall be permitted to be accomplished by repeating
the procedure for each corner of the test fixture where
applicable, or for repeating four separate rollers if the
fixture is designed to test one at a time.
10.6.2 Cycling Test
10.6.2.1 Determine the initial total operating force.
10.6.2.2 To simulate sliding door operation, operate the
test fixture uniformly at an average velocity of between
305 mm (12 in) and 915 mm (36 in) per second for
10,000 cycles. Reverse the direction of motion of the test
fixture after each 915 mm (36 in) of travel to provide
1830 mm (72 in) total travel per cycle.
10.6.2.3 Determine the initial total operating force in the
same manner as section 10.6.2.1.
10.7 Measure the final clearance between track and roller
assembly mounting surface on the test fixture at the same
point, and with the same manner utilized in 10.5.
AAMA 906-05
11.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
11.1 The roller shall align on the track upon impact at the
conclusion of each Shock Load Test.
11.2 Total operating force determined in 10.6.2.1 and
10.6.2.3 shall not be greater than 22.2 N (5 lbf) per roller
assembly rated at 34 kg (75 lbs) or 26.7 N (6 lbf) per
roller assembly rated at 45 kg (100 lbs) or more.
11.3 Final clearance measurement as determined in 10.5
shall not vary from the initial clearance measurement as
determined in 10.7 by more than 0.79 mm (0.031 in).
11.4 Height adjustment mechanism, if any, shall be
undamaged and completely serviceable at the conclusion
of these tests.
11.5 At the conclusion of these tests, there shall be no
breakage, failure or permanent deformation of any roller
assembly part which would cause any malfunction or
impair proper operation of roller assembly.
12.0 TEST REPORT
Test report shall include:
12.1 Dates of test performance and report issuance.
12.2 Identification, description and maximum load rating
of roller assemblies tested.
12.3 Statement indicating that the tested roller assemblies
fully complied with these specifications or failed to
comply with one or more requirements and/or tests.
12.4 In case of failure to comply, which requirements and
the reason(s) therefore.
12.5 Statement that all tests were conducted in accordance
with these specifications.
12.6 Name and address of the laboratory which conducted
the tests and issued the report.
12.7 A certificate stating that the roller assemblies comply
with the material criteria of the specification (Section 5)
shall be included with the test report.
13.0 MARKING
Cartons shall be marked with load rating conformance in
increments of 11.4 kg (25 lbs) as shown below:
Roller Assemblies Comply with AAMA 906
[34 kg (75 lb) Load Rating]
Page 2
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550
Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE (847) 303-5664 FAX (847) 303-5774
WEBSITE www.aamanet.org
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org