Water Testing Standards and

Requirements
 o Understand the Common Testing
Standards and How to Implement them
LEARNING o Determination of appropriate water test
pressures, test durations and water
OBJECTIVES applications
o The proper use of various test standards and
when to utilize each one
TYPES OF WATER RESISTANCE TESTS

• Governing industry standard for water testing. Referenced by

ASTM E1105 other standards including AAMA 502, AAMA 503, and AAMA 511

• Performed on “newly” installed products to verify installed

AAMA 502 and performance of the product and the installation.
• Negative pressure applied to the specimen while water sprayed
AAMA 503 on the exterior

• Nozzle test. A field “check” not a true standard test.

• ONLY for storefront, curtainwall, sloped glazing, and fixed
AAMA 501.2 windows
• Not applicable for Operable Windows except in forensic
capacity.
 o Provides the methodology for how
to perform the test
o Provides the requirements for the
test materials to be used
(Performance criteria of
ASTM E1105 equipment)
o Two procedures:
o Procedure A – Uniform Static
o Procedure B – Cyclic Static
ASTM E1105
Chamber
Arrangement
ASTM E1105
Calibration of
Spray Rack
ASTM E1105
BE-CI
Equipment
 o Provides the PROCEDURE for how
to perform the test
o Provides the requirements for the
Pressures, Cycle Duration, and
Failure Criteria for Each Test
AAMA 502
o Where to Use Each Standard:
AAMA 503 o AAMA 502 – NAFS Rated
Assemblies
o AAMA 503 – Storefront,
Curtainwall, Sloped Glazing
Conversion Begins with the Design
Pressure (DP) or Performance Grade
(PG)

15% for R, LC, CW

20% for AW or When Using AAMA 503
Pressure multiplied by 0.192 achieves inches
DESIGN
of water column PRESSURE
CONVERSION
TO WATER
TEST PRESSURE
TESTING AT
RATED WTP
TESTING ABOVE
RATED WTP
You should check the
specifications first
If there's no specified test
pressure, you should default to
the rated test pressure of the
fenestration
Field Tests shall be conducted
Determining
at a static test pressure equal the Propper
to 2/3 of the tested and rated
laboratory performance per
AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S. Field Water
2/A440
If there is no rated pressure you Test Pressure
can use the project design
pressure reduced by 2/3 for (WTP)
field testing.
Note that the reduced project
design pressure is the absolute
minimum that BE-CI should be
using for testing.
Field Testing
Photos
We set up the rack on
the outside of the
window with nozzles
20” away from the
specimen
Our racks are
calibrated between 8
and 12 psi
Racks require water
volume and so
multiple water sources
may be necessary.
Field Testing
Photos
Chambers should be
attached to the rough
opening framing.
Best Practice is to
remove interior finishes
6” minimum around the
opening.
If its difficult to fully
seal to the opening,
multiple vacuums may
be required.
Remember to seal
framing joints before
hanging the chamber.
 This is a field check for
storefront, curtainwall and
sloped glazing.
Equipment consists of a
calibrated nozzle sprayed at a
prescribed rate.
AAMA 501.2 This is a repeatable test to use
when it is impractical to
perform the AAMA 503 Test
Can be used in a diagnostic
capacity on all fenestrations
under AAMA 511 or other
investigatory protocol
AAMA 501.2
Photos
Test the specimen for 1
minute per foot of
extrusion
Test at a rate of 1 foot
per second back and
forth
Avoid prolonged spray
into design weep
locations or at mitered
corners
Keeping a 90 degree
angle to the specimen is
critical
Set nozzle to between
30 and 35 psi.
AAMA 511 Forensic Evaluation

o Involves more than just testing

o The purpose of diagnostic testing is to
recreate water leaks that are known to occur
o AAMA 511 testing either follows up on AAMA
502 and 503 testing or is used in a water
intrusion investigation
AAMA References in AAMA 511

ASTM E 2128, Standard Guide for

Evaluating Water Leakage of Building
Walls.

This guide describes methods for

determining and evaluating water
leakage of exterior and interior finishes,
fenestration and structural components.
AAMA 511-08: Objective

o “… The goal of 511 diagnostic testing is to

recreate existing leakage behavior that
occurs under in-service conditions.
AAMA 511-08

o Four Preliminary Steps prior to testing

o Review of project documents
o Evaluation of design concept
o Determination of service history
o Inspection
o Three Steps During and After Testing
o Investigative Testing
o Analysis
o Report
 Testing
above AAMA-
Rated
Performance
AAMA 511: Optional Sill Dam
Test
AAMA 511 Sill Dam Test
Window Isolation
(AAMA 502/503 or as part of AAMA 511)
Isolation Water Testing
QUESTIONS?