Curtain Wall Manufacturers Association

Curtain Wall Manufacturers Association
Name	Curtain Wall Manufacturers Association
Founded	1970s
Headquarters	United States
Type	Trade association

Curtain Wall Manufacturers Association is a trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers involved in the design, fabrication, and erection of curtain wall systems for commercial and institutional buildings. The association engages with standards bodies, building code organizations, and industry stakeholders to develop technical guidance, testing protocols, and education programs that influence projects, regulations, and product development across North America and internationally.

History

The association traces its origins to industry efforts during the 1970s and 1980s to address performance failures and coordinate responses to regulatory changes after prominent building envelope issues in the 1960s and 1970s, including concerns raised by investigations related to John F. Kennedy International Airport terminals, World Trade Center, and high-profile façade failures that prompted collaboration among manufacturers, fabricators, and design professionals. Early interactions involved organizations such as American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Architects, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and regional chapters of the Society of American Registered Architects to develop consensus around curtain wall performance, water infiltration, and thermal movement. Over subsequent decades the association engaged with standards committees at American National Standards Institute, participated in code hearings at the International Code Council, and coordinated research with laboratories like National Research Council of Canada and university programs at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Organization and Membership

Membership historically comprises fabricators, glazing subcontractors, component suppliers, silicone and sealant manufacturers, hardware producers, and consultant firms. Member firms have included manufacturers with operations linked to corporations such as Alcoa, Kawneer, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Traco, Saint-Gobain, and multinational conglomerates with ties to United Technologies Corporation and Siemens. The association interacts with allied groups like the Glass Association of North America, National Glass Association, American Architectural Manufacturers Association, and trade unions such as the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers. Governance typically features an elected board of directors, technical committees, and working groups that coordinate with code bodies including the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Canadian Standards Association.

Standards and Publications

The association produces technical manuals, performance criteria, and guidance documents that reference standards from organizations like ASTM International, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Underwriters Laboratories, and the International Organization for Standardization. Publications address subjects such as air infiltration, water penetration resistance, thermal transmittance, structural wind loads, blast resistance, and seismic performance—drawing on methods used in standards like ASTM E331, ASTM E283, and ASTM E330. Guidance materials often cite research from institutions such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and standards committees at National Fire Protection Association. Educational white papers and position statements are distributed to building officials at hearings of the International Code Council and to owners and designers affiliated with American Institute of Architects.

Certification and Compliance

The association works with accredited testing laboratories, certification bodies, and code officials to support product certification, factory quality control programs, and on-site compliance processes. It liaises with organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories, Intertek, SGS S.A., and accreditation bodies like the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation and the International Accreditation Forum to define test protocols and witness testing for air, water, and structural performance. Compliance pathways incorporate references to model codes promulgated by the International Code Council and provincial regulations informed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, with many members pursuing third-party certification to demonstrate conformity for projects with clients such as General Services Administration and multinational developers.

Industry Impact and Advocacy

The association has influenced regulation, procurement, and practice through advocacy at code hearings, participation in consensus standards, and collaboration with research funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy. It engages with professional communities including Royal Institute of British Architects and American Society of Civil Engineers to promote best practices for energy performance, resilience, and occupant safety in glazed façades. The association has also contributed to policy discussions around sustainability linked to programs and rating systems like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, ASHRAE Standard 90.1, and green building initiatives supported by US Green Building Council and provincial green building councils.

Notable Projects and Members

Members of the association have supplied curtain wall systems to landmark projects including corporate headquarters and cultural institutions associated with firms that worked on the One World Trade Center, John Hancock Center, Seagram Building, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Bank of China Tower (Hong Kong), and major airport terminals like Heathrow Airport and Denver International Airport. Member companies have included global façades firms and component manufacturers tied to names such as Kawneer, Schüco International, Saint-Gobain, Alcoa, and specialty contractors that have collaborated on projects for clients including MetLife, Goldman Sachs, Tishman Speyer, and governmental agencies like the General Services Administration.

Category:Trade associations Category:Construction organizations Category:Building envelope