The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document to provide a standard water penetration test method when using dynamic pressure.
AAMA 501.1-17, the Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Windows, Curtain walls and Doors Using Dynamic Pressure, establishes the equipment and procedures for testing. Included is a section on test equipment updated to clarify what to do for laboratory testing versus on-site testing.
“The AAMA 501.1 dynamic pressure water test has been used as a laboratory test for over 50 years, and is particularly useful when testing pressure equalized fenestration systems when severe windblown rain is a concern,” said Greg McKenna (Kawneer), officer of the AAMA Methods of Test Committee. “In more recent years, this test has been used in the field due to the added benefit that a separate vacuum chamber is not needed. This is an advantage if the building is occupied or if constructing a chamber at the building site is not a practical option.”
Additional edits to this updated standard include the addition of two figures showing images of acceptable water leakage, plus a definition for what unacceptable water penetration means.
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 8, 2019
Engineering, construction spending to rise 3% in 2019: FMI outlook
Top-performing segments forecast in 2019 include transportation, public safety, and education.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2019
Manhattan expected to adopt congestion pricing plan for automobiles
New York would be first U.S. city to charge drivers extra for downtown motoring.
Codes and Standards | Apr 4, 2019
Chicago makes major building code overhaul
Previous comprehensive changes were done 70 years ago.
Codes and Standards | Apr 3, 2019
Construction advanced materials makers can enhance industry efficiency with technology
Integration of new IT approaches in construction with new materials has potential to enhance sustainability, alleviate worker shortage.
Codes and Standards | Apr 2, 2019
Open offices reduce collaboration among employees
Counterintuitive finding makes value of wide open workspaces questionable.
Codes and Standards | Mar 29, 2019
New timber traceability LEED credit released
Pilot credit aims to reduce use of illegal wood in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 28, 2019
Swinerton forms new mass timber business group
Will pursue new projects being developed with mass timber.
Codes and Standards | Mar 27, 2019
Shortage of skilled construction workers resulting in missed deadlines
Some 40% of contractors have turned down project offers.
Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2019
ICC release 2019 guidelines for safe use of repurposed shipping containers
Provides in-depth, technical overview on how to design, review, and approve shipping containers as building elements.
Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2019
Tool helps cities develop framework for life-cycle energy policies and track progress
Identifies policies, funding sources to address building energy use.