Building water forensic integrity testing is paramount to ensure building integrity issues related to water infiltration do not occur in the building’s fenestration or envelope. During project construction, testing can be performed to ensure water infiltration is not occurring (commonly due to installation or design issues). There are two primary field water infiltration tests: dynamic pressure (called a dynamic test) or with static pressure.
Accurate-Airtight Enclosures provides reliable, independent building performance testing backed by extensive experience and a commitment to quality. We deliver accurate, code-compliant testing services, including blower door testing, air leakage investigations, water testing, and building envelope consulting, to ensure your project meets specifications while helping avoid costly delays and building issues. Whether you’re a contractor, architect, or building owner, our responsive service, detailed reporting, and practical expertise make us a trusted partner from project start to finish.
TYPES OF TESTING
Dynamic Water Infiltration Testing
Dynamic water infiltration testing for windows uses an artificial wind generator(s) to simulate real-world wind-driven rain, assessing structural integrity and leakage risks. This evaluates how well windows, doors, and curtain walls perform under severe storm conditions before building envelope failure occurs. The industry benchmark for dynamic testing is AAMA 501.1.
AAMA 501.1: A large fan (wind generator) (often by using a large propeller) directs high-velocity air at the exterior of the window assembly while a calibrated spray rack applies water at a rate of 5 gallons per square foot per hour. This test is ideal for storefronts, window walls, and curtain walls where constructing a sealed interior air chamber is difficult. These tests are typically conducted continuously for 15 minutes, per section. Typically a sample number of windows are tested for a pass/fail result. The test fails if water penetrates beyond the defined weather resistant barrier.
AAMA 501.2: AAMA 501.2 is a field test used to evaluate the water resistance of installed joints, windows, curtain walls, storefronts, perimeters of buildings, and other fixed glass areas. During the test, water is sprayed onto the exterior while a pressure difference is created to simulate wind-driven rain, allowing inspectors to verify that the installed assembly prevents water from penetrating into the building under specified conditions. A calibrated 30-35 PSI hand-held hose nozzle is utilized during testing.
AAMA 511: AAMA 511 is a field test used to evaluate the long-term water penetration resistance of installed windows, doors, curtain walls, and storefront systems. It involves cyclic water spray and pressure testing to assess how the assembly performs after aging and repeated exposure, helping verify the durability and continued weather resistance of the installation over time. This forensic leak testing is used to replicate conditions of older, occupied buildings. A calibrated spray rack and diagnostic tracer tools are utilized during testing.
Static Air Pressure Testing
Static test methods are frequently used alongside dynamic testing to ensure comprehensive quality control.
ASTM E1105: A common ASTM standard for field testing is ASTM E1105 for installed fenestration. It uses either uniform or cyclic static air pressure to determine if a window installation is resisting water penetration correctly. ASTM E1105 is a field test used to determine if installed windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls resist water penetration. It simulates wind-driven rain by combining an exterior calibrated water spray with a pressure-controlled interior chamber. A calibrated exterior spray rack delivers a continuous, uniform sheet of water onto the exterior of the assembly at a rate of 5.0 U.S. gal/ft²-h. A sealed air chamber is built on the opposite (usually interior) side of the unit. The chamber air is partially evacuated to create a pressure difference, which effectively sucks the water into any cracks, gaps, or failed seals.
Standard procedures for performance measurement:
- Method 1: A continuous application of pressure for 15 minutes
- Method 2: Cyclic testing featuring 5-minute pressure cycles with a 1-minute pressure rest in between
ASTM D 4541: is a standard test method used to measure the pull-off strength (adhesion) of coatings applied to rigid substrates, such as metal or concrete. A portable loading fixture (dolly) is bonded to the coating and pulled perpendicular to the surface until failure occurs, determining the coating’s adhesion strength and identifying where the failure takes place (within the coating, at the interface, or in the substrate).
ASTM E 1186: is a standard practice for locating air leakage sites in building envelopes and air barrier systems. It describes several qualitative methods – such as smoke, infrared thermography, and ultrasonic testing – to identify and document air leaks for diagnosing building performance and verifying air barrier continuity.
ASTM E 783: is a standard test method for measuring air leakage through installed exterior windows, doors, curtain walls, and storefront systems. It uses a calibrated test chamber to apply a pressure difference across the assembly and measures the amount of air passing through to verify compliance with specified air leakage requirements.
What To Know Before Testing
- Diagnostic Standards: Knowing which standards you are looking to test to will help us determine costs more easily. We can also be your guide. Learn more about specific field performance specs via ASTM & AAMA Water Testing guidelines.
- Building Spec or Commissioning Requirement: Learn if your building specs call out water infiltration testing as a requirement, or if a building envelope commissioning agency is requesting it be performed.
- Plan For a Mock Up: Build a mockup with all unique features, different materials, and fenestration to water test before these are installed on the building. It is better to find issues on the mock-up before they are on the building and require much more resources to fix.
