Importance of Facade Testing
• Building’s exterior envelope stands being exposed to claim changes and that could result in potential deterioration of the structure and its elements.
• A timely planned facade testing ensures safety of the occupants of the building and the public in the surrounding by identifying the small wear and tear, damages in the material components as well as the overall structure and design of the building along with any water or potential air leakage if any thus ensuring structural stability.
• If the damages are identified at an earlier stage it saves cost and time for the management team whilst ensuring a quality façade.
A timely and well planned façade performance test –Ensures the safety of public and occupants of the building by identifying and ensuring the structural and seismic stability’s necessary to evaluate and validate the design of the façade Identifies and points out fabrication errors, air leakage, water leakage if any Helps in rectifying all faults before final production Saves cost and time Ensures a quality façade
Basic performance tests
• Water penetration: A pressure differential is applied across the curtain wall assembly while simultaneously applying water spray onto the exterior surface of the building.
• Structural Load: The method is used to determine the performance of the components of curtain wall under both positive and negative static pressure regarding the safety issues.
• Air Filtration: Using chamber developed for the purpose of mock testing, rate of air leakage is determined at the specified project by inducing differential pressure across the assemblies.
Air Infiltration Test Method: Typically, a pressure differential must be created across the test specimen in order to simulate wind pressure. In order to create the required pressure differential, a test chamber is erected on the interior side of the test specimen. The test pressures are typically specified by the project architect and are different for the air infiltration/exfiltration test and the water penetration test. The air infiltration/exfiltration test is normally undertaken at a pressure differential of 1.57 psf (75 Pa) or 6.24 psf (300 Pa).
• Air InfiltrationCode/StandardASTM E283 AS/NZS 4284
• Air Infiltration Test +75 Pa or -75 Pa +150 Pa or -150 Pa
• Pass Criteria 1.8 m3/h.m2 * 5.76m3/h/m2 (1.6 L/s/m2)
• *Recommended by AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association) The allowable air leakage rates are usually indicated in the architectural specifications and will vary depending on the codes followed and whether it’s a fixed or an openable section.
ASTM E283-04
• Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, And Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen
• 1.1 This test method covers a standard laboratory procedure for determining the air leakage rates of exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors under specified differential pressure conditions across the specimen. The test method described is for tests with constant temperature and humidity across the specimen.
• 1.2 This laboratory procedure is applicable to exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors and is intended to measure only such leakage associated with the assembly and not the installation. The test method can be adapted for the latter purpose.
Note 1—Performing tests at non-ambient conditions or with a temperature differential across the specimen may affect the air leakage rate. This is not addressed by this test method.
• 1.3 This test method is intended for laboratory use. Persons interested in performing field air leakage tests on installed units should reference Test Method E 783.
• 1.4 Persons using this procedure should be knowledgeable in the areas of fluid mechanics, instrumentation practices, and shall have a general understanding of fenestration products and components.
• 1.5 Throughout this test method, SI units are listed first in accordance with E06 metric policy, and shall be considered the primary units. Non-SI units are provided in parenthesis for reference purposes.
• 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statement see Section.
Water penetration
• Water Penetration Test: Test Method: The water penetration resistance test consists of sealing a chamber to the interior or exterior face of the test specimen to be tested, supplying or exhausting air to the chamber at the rate required to maintain the desired air pressure difference across the specimen. Simultaneous to the application of air pressure difference, water shall be applied to the exterior face at the required rate (table 2 and 3) while observing for any water penetration at the interior. For the water penetration resistance test, a calibrated sprinkler rack is hung on the exterior side of the test specimen in order to apply a continuous and uniform water spray. It is important to have a sufficient and constant water pressure
• Water penetration tests can be of following types –Static water penetration test Dynamic water penetration test (additional test)
• Static Water Penetration Code/Standard ASTM E331 AS/NZS 4284
• Static Water Penetration Test >137 Pa > 300 Pa or .3 Ws
• Water spray requirement >3.4 l/min.m2 >3.0 l/min.m2
• Duration of test 15 minutes 15 minutes
• Pass criteria There shall be no water leak during the test There shall be no water leak during the test
• We know the test is failed if:-Water appears on the inside face of the specimen and is visible from an occupied space Water appears on the inside face of the specimen and is likely to damage insulation or architectural fixturesThere is water leakage that is not contained and drained away within the test period
What is ASTM E331? ASTM E331 is the standard test method for water penetration of exterior windows, skylights, doors and curtain walls by uniform static air pressure difference. The test determines a product’s resistance to water penetration under these air pressure differences, which can vary greatly.
• ASTM E331-00(2016) Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference1. Scope
• 1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance of exterior windows, curtain walls, skylights, and doors to water penetration when water is applied to the outdoor face and exposed edges simultaneously with a uniform static air pressure at the outdoor face higher than the pressure at the indoor face.
• 1.2 This test method is applicable to any curtain-wall area or to windows, skylights, or doors alone.
• 1.3 This test method addresses water penetration through a manufactured assembly. Water that penetrates the assembly, but does not result in a failure as defined herein, may have adverse effects on the performance of contained materials such as sealants and insulating or laminated glass. This test method does not address these issues.
• 1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of pressure measurement.
• 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
Structural Load
• Structural Performance Test: Test Method: Structural performance testing consists of utilizing a test chamber located on the interior or exterior of the specimen. Air is evacuated or supplied from/to the chamber to create the required pressure differential and the specimen is tested according to maximum deflection limits or audible, tactile, or visual indications of material or assembly distress or failure.
• Structural Performance Code/Standard ASTM E330 AS/NZS 4284
• Structural performance test Design wind pressure Design wind pressure
• Deflection L/175 L/250 or 20 mm whichever is less. Successive member displacement shall not exceed 3mm
• Structural proof load test 150% of design wind pressure Ultimate limit state (normally 150% of design wind pressure)
• Pass Criteria No Failure No Failure
• ASTM E330/E330M-14 Standard Test Method for Structural Performance Of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights And Curtain Walls By Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
• 1.1 This test method describes the determination of the structural performance of exterior windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls under uniform static air pressure differences, using a test chamber. This test method is applicable to curtain wall assemblies including, but not limited to, metal, glass, masonry, and stone components.
• 1.2 This test method is intended only for evaluating the structural performance associated with the specified test specimen and not the structural performance of adjacent construction.
• 1.3 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of pressure and deflection measurement.
• 1.4 This test method describes the apparatus and the procedure to be used for applying uniformly distributed test loads to a specimen.1.4.1 Procedure A (see 11.2) shall be used when a load-deflection curve is not required.1.4.2 Procedure B (see 11.3) shall be used when a load-deflection curve is required.
• 1.5 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory materials. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
• 1.6 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
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Cablenet Facade
