Curtain Wall Testing Procedure

The air pressure differences acting across a building envelope vary greatly.

Curtain wall testing procedure.

The tab sample consists of a single 3 8 9 mm diameter bead of sealant that is tooled to a thickness of 1 4 6 mm. Astm e1105 procedure a water penetration testing is conducted at the specified air pressure differential while simultaneously spraying water on to the exterior face of the assembly at the required rate of 5 gph ft2. Premature failure is likely to dramatically reduce building life because replacement or repair is a massive undertaking requiring a vacant building extensive exterior access and replacement of all interior finishes in perimeter rooms. The nozzle is held 1 foot away from the glass and slowly moved back and forth for the duration of the 5 minute test.

Typically the height of the test area should be at least one full floor storey high. The astm e 1105 standard test method for field determination of water penetration of installed exterior windows skylights doors and curtain walls is used for water penetration testing and the astm e 783 standard test method for field measurement of air leakage through installed exterior windows and doors is used for air infiltration. The height of the test area should include at least one expansion or stack joint at least one spandrel section and one vision section. The chosen area is soaked from the lowest horizontal brace to any adjacent vertical framing.

Testing representative segments of curtain wall or windows for example comprises three basic tests plus three others. Water penetration testing consists of utilizing a portable wind generator and installing a spray rack system at the exterior of the specimen. Pull this flap at approximately 90oangle. Aama 501 1 standard test method for water penetration of windows curtain walls and doors using dynamic pressure dynamic water penetration testing hawg.

Air infiltration water penetration and structural load. Significance and use 5 1 this test method is a standard procedure for determining the resistance to water penetration under uniform or cyclic static air pressure differences of installed exterior windows skylights curtain walls and doors. We provide design review and full scale testing to make sure that these systems do this reliably for the life of the building. Window washer anchorage load tests supplemental water resistance following sealant removal negative load sealant bonding tests are performed when specified.

In the case of a unitized curtain wall system a vertical module joint should also be included within the test area. After the cure period take a razor blade and under cut one end of the tab exposing a flap that can be grasped with fingers. For these tests an airtight chamber is constructed on one side of the specimen. Curtain walls have to keep the weather out and the people in.

During the test a member of the testing team will be inside to monitor the wallsand check for any leakage.