ASTM E1105-15

Designation: E1105 − 15Standard Test Method forField Determination of Water Penetration of InstalledExterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls, byUniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1105; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-tance of installed exterior windows, curtain walls, skylights,and doors to water penetration when water is applied to theoutdoor face and exposed edges simultaneously with a static airpressure at the outdoor face higher than the pressure at theindoor face.1.2 This test method is applicable to any curtain-wall area orto windows, skylights, or doors alone. It is intended primarilyfor determining the resistance to water penetration throughsuch assemblies for compliance with specified performancecriteria, but it may also be used to determine the resistance topenetration through the joints between the assemblies and theadjacent construction. Other procedures may be appropriate toidentify sources of leakage.1.3 This test method addresses water penetration through amanufactured assembly. Water that penetrates the assembly,but does not result in a failure as defined herein, may haveadverse effects on the performance of contained materials suchas sealants and insulating or laminated glass. This test methoddoes not address these issues.1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledgeof the principles of pressure measurement.1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazardstatements, see 7.1.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of ExteriorWindows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uni-form Static Air Pressure DifferenceE547 Test Method for Water Penetration of ExteriorWindows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by CyclicStatic Air Pressure DifferenceE631 Terminology of Building Constructions3. Terminology3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms relating tobuilding construction used in this test method, see TerminologyE631.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 specimen, n—the entire assembled unit submitted fortest as installed in the exterior wall of a building.3.2.1.1 Discussion—The test specimen consists of the majorcomponents of the assembly, including all joints, cracks, oropenings between such components and any panning,receptors, extenders, sills, mullions, or other parts or compo-nents used for assembling any installation. The joints betweenassemblies and the openings into which they are mounted(masonry openings, for example) are not part of the testspecimen. However, these joints may be tested by this proce-dure.3.2.2 test pressure difference, n—the specified difference instatic air pressure across the closed and locked or fixedspecimen expressed in lbf/ft2(pascals).3.2.3 water penetration, n—penetration of water beyond aplane parallel to the glazing (the vertical plane) intersecting theinnermost projection of the test specimen, not includinginterior trim and hardware, under the specified conditions of airpressure difference across the specimen. For products withnon-planer surfaces (domes, vaults, pyramids, etc.) the plane1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 onPerformance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51on Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls.Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2015. Published September 2015. Originallyapproved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1105 – 00(2008).DOI: 10.1520/E1105-15.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States1defining water penetration is the plane defined by the innermostedges of the unit frame.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method consists of sealing a chamber to theinterior or exterior face of specimen to be tested, supplying airto a chamber mounted on the exterior or exhausting air from achamber mounted on the interior, at the rate required tomaintain the test pressure difference across the specimen whilespraying water onto the outdoor face of the specimen at therequired rate and observing any water penetration.5. Significance and Use5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determiningthe resistance to water penetration under uniform or cyclicstatic air pressure differences of installed exterior windows,skylights, curtain walls, and doors. The air-pressure differencesacting across a building envelope vary greatly. These factorsshould be considered fully prior to specifying the test pressuredifference to be used.NOTE 1—In applying the results of tests by this test method, note thatthe performance of a wall or its components, or both, may be a functionof proper installation and adjustment. In service, the performance will alsodepend on the rigidity of supporting construction and on the resistance ofcomponents to deterioration by various causes, vibration, thermal expan-sion and contraction, and so forth. It is difficult to simulate the identicalcomplex wetting conditions that can be encountered in service, with largewind-blown water drops, increasing water drop impact pressures withincreasing wind velocity, and lateral or upward moving air and water.Some designs are more sensitive than others to this upward moving water.NOTE 2—This test method does not identify unobservable liquid waterwhich may penetrate into the test specimen.5.2 Laboratory tests are designed to give an indication of theperformance of an assembly. Field performance may vary fromlaboratory performance since the supporting structure for thetest specimen, methods of mounting, and sealing in thelaboratory can only simulate the actual conditions that willexist in the building. Shipping, handling, installation, acts ofsubsequent trades, aging, and other environmental conditionsall may have an adverse effect upon the performance of theinstalled product. This field test procedure provides a meansfor determining the performance of a product once installed inthe building.5.3 The field test may be made at the time the window,skylight, curtain-wall, or door assemblies are initially installedand before the interior of the building is finished. At this time,it is generally easier to check the interior surfaces of theassemblies for water penetration and to identify the points ofpenetration. The major advantage of testing when assembliesare initially installed is that errors in fabrication or installationcan be readily discovered and corrections made before theentire wall with its component assemblies is completed atwhich time the expense of corrective work may be increasedmany times.5.4 The field test may also be made after the building iscompleted and in service to determine whether or not reportedleakage problems are due to the failure of the installedassemblies to resist water penetration at the specified static airpressure difference. Generally it is possible to conduct tests onwindow, skylight, and door assemblies without too muchdifficulty, and to identify sources of leakage. A curtain-wallassembly, on the other hand, may not be accessible from theinside without the removal of interior finished walls andceilings. Even with removal of interior walls and ceilings, itmay not be possible to observe curtain-wall surfaces behindspandrel beams. The feasibility of conducting a meaningfulstatic air pressure difference water penetration test on anin-service building must be carefully evaluated before beingspecified.5.5 Weather conditions can affect the static air pressuredifference measurements. If wind gusting causes pressurefluctuation to exceed 610 % from the specified test pressure,the test should not be conducted.5.6 Generally it is more convenient to use an interiormounted pressure chamber from which air is exhausted toobtain a lower pressure on the interior surface of the specimen.A calibrated rack of nozzles is then used to spray water at theproper rate on the exterior surface. Under circumstances whereit is desirable to use an exterior-mounted pressure chamber, thespray rack must be located in the pressure chamber and airsupplied to maintain a higher pressure on the exterior surface.Exterior chambers are difficult to attach readily and seal toexterior surfaces.5.7 Even though the equipment requirements are similar,this procedure is not intended to measure air infiltrationbecause of the difficulty of isolating the component air leakagefrom the extraneous leakage through weep holes, mullionjoints, trim, or other surrounding materials.6. Apparatus6.1 The description of apparatus in this section is general innature, and any arrangement of equipment capable of perform-ing the test procedures within allowable tolerances is permit-ted.6.2 Major Components (Fig. 1):6.2.1 Test Chamber—A test chamber or box made ofplywood, plastic, or other suitable material and sealed againstthe test specimen. Test chambers mounted on the interior mustbe made so that interior surfaces and joints of the specimen canbe easily observed for water penetration during the test. Nopart of the testing chamber shall come in contact with orrestrict any point where water penetration may occur. At leastone static air pressure tap shall be provided to measure thechamber air pressure versus the ambient (interior-exterior) airpressure and shall be so located that the reading is unaffectedby exterior impinging wind, or by the velocity of air supply toor from the chamber. The air supply opening into or exhaustfrom the chamber shall be arranged so that air does not impingedirectly on the test specimen with any significant velocity. Ameans of access into the chamber may be provided to facilitateadjustments and observations after the chamber has beeninstalled.6.2.2 Air System—A controllable blower, compressed airsupply exhaust system, or reversible blower designed to supplythe required maximum air pressure difference across theE1105 − 152specimen. The system must provide essentially constant airflow at a fixed pressure for the required test period.6.2.3 Pressure Measuring Apparatus—A device to measurethe test pressure difference within a tolerance of 62% or60.01 in. (62.5 Pa of water column), whichever is greater.6.2.4 Water-Spray System—The water-spray system shalldeliver water uniformly against the exterior surface of the testspecimen at a minimum rate of 5.0 U.S. gal/ft2·h(3.4 L ⁄m2·min).6.2.4.1 The water-spray system shall have nozzles spacedon a uniform grid, located at a uniform distance from the testspecimen and shall be adjustable to provide the specifiedquantity of water in such a manner as to wet all of the testspecimen, uniformly and to wet those areas vulnerable to waterpenetration. If additional nozzles are required to provideuniformity of water spray at the edge of the test specimen, theyshall be equally spaced around the entire spray grid.6.2.4.2 The intake water line to the nozzle grid shall beequipped with a pressure gage and pressure adjusting valve.For field testing, the water pressure shall be adjusted to thesame pressure at which the water spray system was calibrated.7. Hazards7.1 Warning—Glass breakage will not normally occur atthe small pressure differences applied in this test method.Excessive pressure differences may occur, however, due toerror in operation or gusting wind, therefore, exercise adequateprecautions to protect personnel.7.2 Take whatever additional precautions are necessary toprotect persons from water spray, falling objects (which mayinclude tools), the spray system, or even the exterior testchamber.8. Examination of Test Specimens8.1 Select and identify the test specimen in accordance withthe procedures established in Section 10.8.2 Conduct a detailed visual examination of the test speci-men and the construction adjacent to the test specimen. Recordall pertinent observations.8.3 If the intent is to test an operable window, skylight, ordoor, the unit should be checked for proper installation byopening, closing, and locking the unit five times prior totesting, with no further attention other than the initial adjust-ment.NOTE 3—The purpose of this examination is to record the physicalcondition of the test specimen and adjacent construction at the time oftesting. Examples of pertinent observations to be recorded include; anydamage or deterioration observed, missing or broken components, miss-adjustment or weatherstrip or other components, cleanliness of the testspecimen, out-of-square installations, and so forth.FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Water Penetration Test ApparatusE1105 − 1539. Calibration9.1 The ability of the test apparatus to meet the applicablerequirements shall be checked by using a catch box, the openface of which shall be located at the position of the face of thetest specimen. The calibration device is illustrated in Fig. 2.The catch box shall be designed to receive only waterimpinging on the plane of the test specimen face and to excludeall run-off water from above. The box shall be 24 in. (610 mm)square, divided into four areas each 12 in. (305 mm) square.Use a cover approximately 30 in. (760 mm) square to preventwater from entering the calibration box before and after thetimed observation interval. The water impinging on each areashall be captured separately. A spray that provides at least20-gal/h (1.26-L/min) total for the four areas and not less than4 gal/h (0.25 L ⁄min) nor more than 10 gal/h (0.63 L/min) inany one square shall be acceptable.9.1.1 The water-spray system shall be calibrated at bothupper corners and at the quarter point of the horizontal centerline (of the spray system). If a number of identical, contiguous,modular spray systems are used, only one module need becalibrated. The system shall be calibrated with the catch boxesat a distance within 62 in. (51 mm) of the test specimenlocation from the nozzle. The reference point for location of thespray system from the specimen shall be measured from theext