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

AAMA 503-03
Voluntary Specification
For Field Testing Of
Storefronts, Curtain Walls
And Sloped Glazing Systems

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
How To Use The Short Form Specification ....................................1

Short Form Field Testing Specification ........................................1

1.0 Scope And Purpose .............................................................2

2.0 Test Specimen And Test Chamber Requirements.......................2

3.0 Sequence Of Testing And Cost Appropriation ..........................2

4.0 Test Methods And Default Specifications ................................3

5.0 Test Reports ......................................................................4

Glossary Of Terms.....................................................................5

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Storefront...................................................................6

Figure 2 Sloped Glazing ............................................................7

Figure 3 Curtain Wall ................................................................8

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.

© 2003
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”.

Publish Date: 2003 Reprint Date: 10/2003

HOW TO USE THE SHORT FORM SPECIFICATION
To simplify the writing of field testing specifications for storefronts, curtain walls and sloped glazing systems, AAMA has
prepared a "Short Form Specification," which is recommended whenever possible. It is used by inserting the following
paragraph(s) into the project specifications.

SHORT FORM FIELD TESTING SPECIFICATION

* shall be field tested in accordance with AAMA 503-03, "Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of
Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems." The area(s) to be tested is (are) as follows:
**

* Insert storefront, curtain wall and/or sloped glazing system.

** Insert an exact description of the area(s) to be tested. Failure to do so can dramatically affect the cost of the field testing. The
recommended procedure for identification of the test area is to reference an architectural elevation/plan drawing that clearly
shows the intent of the area to be field tested.

AAMA 503-03 specifies water penetration resistance field testing for the above area immediately after installation begins.
Default performance values are specified in Sections 4.5 through 4.7. Any of the following optional paragraphs may be added to
modify the standard specification:

1. Optional air leakage resistance tests shall be conducted at a uniform static test pressure of Pa ( psf).
The maximum allowable rate of air leakage shall not exceed L/s•m2 ( cfm/ft2).

Specifier Note: Field air leakage resistance tests are only recommended for discrete “punched opening” curtain walls,
storefronts and sloped glazing elevations. Field air leakage testing is not recommended for a portion of a continuous system
due to the problems associated with compartmentalization and identification of extraneous air leakage.

2. Water penetration tests shall be conducted at a static test pressure of Pa ( psf).

AAMA 503-03 Page 1


1.0 SCOPE AND PURPOSE
1.1 These specifications establish the requirements for test
specimens, apparatus, sampling, test procedures and test
reports to be used in evaluating the performance of
installed storefronts, curtain walls and sloped glazing
systems. ("Test Area" hereafter referred to as "specimen".)
1.1.1 Windows and sliding glass doors included within the
specimen shall be tested in accordance with AAMA 502-
02, "Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Windows
and Sliding Glass Doors."
1.2 Field testing procedure and test apparatus shall meet the
requirements of the referenced ASTM test method. The
most current revision of the ASTM method shall be
identified in the specifications. If a revision number is not
referenced then the one current during the bidding stage of
the project shall be used.
1.2.1 Resistance to air infiltration using static air pressure
difference: ASTM E 783, "Standard Test Method for Field
Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior
Windows and Doors."
1.2.2 Resistance to water penetration using static air
pressure difference: ASTM E 1105, "Standard Test Method
for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed
Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors by Uniform or
Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference."
1.3 The purpose of this specification is to provide a guide
which can be used to evaluate the installed performance of
storefronts, curtain walls and sloped glazing systems for
resistance to water penetration under controllable and
reproducible wind driven rain conditions. This
specification may also be used to evaluate the installed air
leakage of “punched opening” curtain walls, storefronts
and sloped glazing. Field air leakage testing is not
recommended for a portion of continuous systems.
2.0 TEST SPECIMEN AND TEST
CHAMBER REQUIREMENTS
Joints between the fenestration product and the adjacent
wall or curb shall be permitted to be included in the test
assembly if so noted in the project specifications. The test
chamber shall be applied to the interior or exterior of the
wall or curb construction in such a manner as to create a
pressure differential across the specimen assembly
including perimeter frame intersections and perimeter seals,
subframes, receptors and flashing.
NOTE: This test method insures that the entire specimen
(including all frame members, joints, subframes, receptors,
flashing, etc.) and the adjacent substrate including the
perimeter seals are all tested under the prescribed pressure
AAMA 503-03
differential. The test shall be performed soon after the
specimen is installed, sealants are cured and prior to the
installation of gypsum wall board, insulation or other finish
materials. If interior wall materials have been installed
they shall be removed at the test area to allow visual access
to these areas to check for water leakage. The test
chamber shall be installed to the specimen in such a
manner as to apply a pressure differential to all joinery
conditions (including perimeter seals) and so as to
minimize extraneous air leakage.
It is not practical to effect a chamber on a segment of a
continuous horizontal or vertical member therefore air
leakage testing of these systems is not recommended.
3.0 SEQUENCE OF TESTING AND
COST APPROPRIATION
3.1 As soon as practical after installation has begun and
after the test specimen has been completely installed,
adjusted, cleaned and perimeter sealed (including adequate
time for the sealant to cure) it shall be tested for air leakage
(if applicable) and water penetration resistance as
specified in Section 4.
NOTE: Having the test performed as soon as practical on
the job site may be beneficial in determining if
manufacturing, installation and/or perimeter sealing
problems are present before a substantial portion of the
project is completed. Necessary corrections can be made
with less financial impact or other deleterious effects on the
project.
3.2 If any part of the specimen fails to meet air leakage and
water penetration resistance specifications, the reason for
failure shall be determined by the responsible contractor.
The problem shall be corrected, and the specimen retested.
Any remedial work shall be recorded and approved by the
architect and/or owner. Upon satisfactorily passing a retest
any similar deficiencies throughout the entire project shall
become punch list items and shall be corrected by the
responsible contractor at no cost to the owner.
3.3 The project specifications shall clearly identify the
party responsible for the costs associated with the initial
field testing and retesting (if necessary).
3.4 Testing shall be conducted or witnessed by an AAMA
Accredited Testing Laboratory approved by the architect or
owner.
3.4.1 All trades and contractors involved responsible for the
test specimen performance, (i.e., manufacturer, erector,
glazier, perimeter caulking contractor, etc.) shall be made
aware of the test date and invited to witness the testing.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the test sponsor to notify
all parties of the testing date.
Page 2
3.5 The test area (specimen) shall conform to the following:
3.5.1 The test specimen's size and location shall be selected
by the architect and shall be clearly identified within the
construction documents.
NOTE: If perimeter seals are to be included in the test
specimen it must be noted in the specification. If the test
location is not easily accessible from inside and outside,
significant additional cost may arise for scaffolding, swing
stages, electrical and water sources. An effort should be
made to choose a test location that will not unnecessarily
increase the cost.
3.5.2 The test specimen shall be a representative sample
of typical construction. The specimen shall have no
outstanding punch list items or other visible defects.
3.5.3 Prior to testing the specimen, the owner's
representative shall direct the responsible contractor(s), if
necessary, to clean the test specimen and remove
adjoining sheetrock, trim, insulation or other materials,
which could adversely affect the chamber attachment and
visual inspection.
3.5.4 Upon completion of the testing, the responsible
contractor(s) shall replace or repair items removed in
Section 3.5.3.
3.5.5 If no specimen size and/or location is identified in the
construction documents, select an appropriate size
specimen that will provide representative performance data,
usually a minimum of 9.3 m2 (100 ft2). The specimen shall
include, perimeter seals, typical splices, frame
intersections, and if applicable, at least 2 entire vision lites
and 2 entire spandrel lites containing an intermediate
vertical and an intermediate horizontal. See Figures 1, 2
and 3 for typical test assemblies. If the specimen contains
integral ventilating system (refer to
ANSI/AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S. 2-97, Section 3.6.4 or
ANSI/AAMA/WDMA 101/I.S. 2/NAFS-02, Section 7.9) it
shall be tested twice for water penetration resistance and
twice for air leakage resistance, once with the venting
portion of the ventilating system/devices in the closed
position and again with the venting portion closed and
taped or sealed. Air and water performance values for both
test modes shall be included in the test report.
AAMA 503-03
4.0 TEST METHODS AND DEFAULT
SPECIFICATIONS
4.1 The installed air leakage resistance performance shall
be evaluated using ASTM E 783, "Standard Test Method
for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed
Exterior Windows and Doors." (OPTIONAL)
4.2 The installed water penetration resistance performance
shall be evaluated using ASTM E 1105, "Standard Test
Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of
Installed Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors by
Uniform or Cyclic Air Pressure Difference." The 'Uniform
Static Air Pressure Difference' shall be utilized for the
purpose of this specification.
4.3 Where both tests are to be conducted in sequence, the
test for air leakage shall be conducted before the test for
water penetration. Prior to water penetration resistance
testing a two minute “dry test” shall be performed at the
same pressure specified for the water penetration resistance
test. The purpose of this test is to purge the system of any
residual water. Any residual water observed during the two
minute dry test shall be wiped off prior to starting the water
penetration resistance testing.
4.3.1 The specimen gaskets shall be dry before proceeding
with the air leakage test. Wet gaskets may result in lower
air infiltration values than dry gaskets.
4.4 Precautionary Information regarding field air leakage
testing: The intent of the air leakage test is to measure only
exterior air leakage through the joints, fixed glazing,
hardware, etc., and within the area enclosed by the
specimen frame. The air is assumed to be coming from the
exterior of the building directly through the specimen.
Other sources of air infiltration (i.e., through fastener holes,
interior trim and interior mullion covers, exterior panning
systems, receptors, flashing, and, through leakage in the
testing equipment or air chamber attachment to the
specimen) are referred to as extraneous air leakage and
must be accounted for. It is not practical to account for all
sources of air leakage when testing a portion of a
continuous curtain wall or sloped glazing. For this reason
It is not recommended that field air leakage tests be
performed on this type of system. If the specifier has any
doubt regarding the validity of a field air leakage test he
should consult with the independent test laboratory or the
glazing contractor.
Extraneous air leakage is determined by applying a "blank"
(usually thin plastic sheeting), to the exterior of the
specimen. This is normally taped to the exterior frame.
The air passing through the specimen alone (net air) is
calculated by subtracting the measured air leakage with the
blank applied (blank air) from the measured air leakage
without the blank (gross air). All extraneous air leakage is
thereby accounted for and mathematically removed by this
procedure.
Page 3
 NET AIR = GROSS AIR - BLANK AIR
However, it is not always economical to apply a blank to
the exterior of the specimen, due to height above the
ground or weather conditions. A normal and acceptable
practice calls for measuring air leakage without the blank
on the exterior. If the measured rate (which includes air
leakage) is less than the allowable rate, then no test with an
exterior blank is required. However, if the gross value is
greater than allowed, then an exterior blank will be
required.
4.5 The optional air leakage test shall be conducted at a
minimum uniform static test pressure differential of 1.57
psf or as specified for the project, but at a pressure
differential not to exceed 6.24 psf.
4.6 The maximum allowable rates of air leakage for field
testing shall not exceed 1.5 times the project specification
rate or 0.5 L/s•m2 (0.09 cfm/ft2), whichever is greater. The
specifier may require project specific air leakage, however
this must be stipulated in Paragraph 2 of the “Short Form
Field Testing Specification”.
4.7 The field water penetration resistance tests shall be
conducted at a static test pressure of two-thirds of the
specified project water penetration test pressure, but not
less than 300 Pa (6.24 psf).
NOTE: The specifier may increase the field water test
pressure to the value specified for the project, however,
this must be stipulated in Paragraph 2 of the "Short Form
Field Testing Specification." In the event that the project
does not have a specified water penetration test pressure,
the value will be equal to 20% of the positive design wind
load times 0.67.
4.8 When testing the specimen, no uncontrolled water shall
pass the innermost surface of the specimen as defined by
the face of the vertical or sloped surface of the innermost
framing member, or shall enter the wall cavity during the
water penetration resistance tests.
4.8.1 For purposes of this testing, acceptable, controlled
water leakage is defined as any water that is contained in an
area with provisions to drain back to the exterior, or the
collection of up to 14 g (1/2 oz) of water in the 15-minute
test period on top of an interior horizontal frame surface
that does not spill onto adjacent finishes or materials.
NOTE: If leakage through frames, frame corners, exterior
perimeter seals or adjacent materials is not visible from the
interior, and such leakage could appear on the floor below
the specimen being tested, the lower floor should be
inspected for signs of leakage.
AAMA 503-03
5.0 TEST REPORTS
5.1 The report shall include the following information:
5.1.1 General
Testing agency, name of the individual (s) performing the
tests, date and time of test, date of report, identification and
location of the building.
5.1.2 Fenestration Product Description
Manufacturer, model, operation type, dimensions,
materials, etc; identification and location of fenestration
product(s) within the building; physical condition of
fenestration product; description of any modifications made
to the fenestration product; number of retests; etc.
5.1.3 Sampling Procedures
If applicable, describe or list the procedures established
from Section 4.
5.1.4 Test Parameters
List or describe the specified static pressure differential
used in the test, whether the chamber was affixed to the
interior or exterior of the fenestration product and provide a
detailed description (to include sketches showing location,
if appropriate) of the chamber attachment to the
fenestration product. Clearly identify any elements of the
fenestration product that were not tested.
5.1.5 Test Results
Record the actual and allowable rates of air leakage and
record all points of water penetration. Indicate whether or
not extraneous air leakage was measured. Record unusual
weather or test conditions.
5.1.6 Compliance Statement
Make a statement that the tests were conducted in
accordance with this method or completely describe any
deviation. Also, state whether or not the results indicate
compliance with the field testing specification
requirements.
Page 4

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Air leakage - Air that passes through the specimen at the
test pressure differential. It is normally recorded as a flow
rate in cfm per square foot of wall area.
Blank - Thin plastic sheeting or other suitable material
applied to the exterior surface of the test specimen (tare
reading).
Curtain wall - A non-load bearing wall running past floor
slabs comprised of framing members supporting glass,
panels, stone, etc.
Extraneous air - Air entering into the monitored/tested
area from sources other than the specimen being tested.
Punched opening – A discrete elevation of curtain wall,
storefront or sloped glazing that is surrounded in its entirety
by another building wall system such as masonry, EIFS,
panels or similar cladding system.
AAMA 503-03
Storefront - A combination of framing members and
fixed glazing used to fill an opening in a building facade.
The framing is normally at the ground floor level, runs
between the floor slab and the roof or between floor slabs
and often includes entrances.
Owner's representative - A party designated by the owner
to act on his behalf.
Responsible contractor - The party contractually
responsible for that portion of the work.
Sloped glazing system - A glass and framing assembly
that is sloped more than 15 degrees from vertical and
which forms essentially the entire roof of the structure;
generally this is a single slope construction.
Page 5
 PRESSURE
MEASURING
DEVICE

FIGURE 1: STOREFRONT

NOTE: The pressure measuring device shall take into account the difference that may exist between the static pressure in the
interior of the building and the static pressure on the exterior. It may be possible to open a window or door in a room to balance
the pressure. If this is not possible, a measurement of the outdoor wind speed and/or indoor building pressure shall be made and
the test pressure adjusted accordingly.

AAMA 503-03 Page 6

 W

FIGURE 2: SLOPED GLAZING

NOTE: The pressure measuring device shall take into account the difference that may exist between the static pressure in the
interior of the building and the static pressure on the exterior. It may be possible to open a window or door in a room to balance
the pressure. If this is not possible, a measurement of the outdoor wind speed and/or indoor building pressure shall be made and
the test pressure adjusted accordingly.

AAMA 503-03 Page 7

 PRESSURE
MEASURING
DEVICE

FIGURE 3: CURTAIN WALL

NOTE: The pressure measuring device shall take into account the difference that may exist between the static pressure in the
interior of the building and the static pressure on the exterior. It may be possible to open a window or door in a room to balance
the pressure. If this is not possible, a measurement of the outdoor wind speed and/or indoor building pressure shall be made and
the test pressure adjusted accordingly.

AAMA 503-03 Page 8

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