AAMA 503 Testing in Los Angeles, CA – United States of America
Everything You Need to Know About the AAMA 503 Test Standard for Field Testing in Los Angeles
How is the AAMA 503 Test Specification Defined?
The AAMA 503 is defined as the voluntary specification for field testing of newly installed storefronts, curtain walls, and sloped glazing systems. It includes guidelines for both Air leakage measurement and Water Penetration Resistance (otherwise known as water intrusion testing).
What is the Purpose of the AAMA 503?
The purpose of the AAMA 503 test specification is to provide a method and means to evaluate the performance of newly installed storefronts, curtain walls and sloped glazing systems and their installation during construction for air leakage resistance and/or water penetration resistance under very controllable, reproducible and appropriate conditions. This is for the sole purpose of providing reasonable assurance that as installed, the fenestration products will perform to the specified or rated air leakage and/or water penetration performance levels with allowances given for field performance.
What are the Four (4) Primary Fenestration Products that are Tested to the AAMA 503?
The AAMA 503 is applicable to:
- Curtain Walls
- Storefronts
- Sloped Glazing Systems and
- Window Walls
How is the AAMA 503 Field Test Performed? It uses the ASTM E783 and ASTM E1105 Test Methods.
Note that the AAMA 503 calls for two (2) tests to be performed. First, the Air Leakage (or air infiltration) test is performed followed by the Water Penetration Resistance test (otherwise known as the Water Intrusion test). When performing the AAMA 503 field test we utilize a variety of test measurements devices and other test equipment such as air flow metering devises, spray apparatus, etc.
- First, a test chamber is mounted and sealed overt the test specimen and a vacuum systems is used to exhaust air from the test chamber
- Second, there is a motor regulator we control in addition to monitoring a pressure sensing device that we use to regulate air flow to the desired negative air pressure differential across the test assembly.
- Third, the AMA 503 specification calls for an Air Infiltration Test (ASTM E783) and a Water Penetration Resistance Test (ASTM E1105).
What is involved in the ASTM E783 Air Leakage Test?
We first use a plastic sheet to seal (or cover) the exterior surface of the test specimen (window or door product). Air is then exhausted from the test chamber until the appropriate pressure differential is applied across the test location. The exact amount of airflow (which is measured in cfm) that is required to maintain the pressure differential is then recorded (which is the tare air leakage measurement).
The next step after recording the tare air leakage is to remove the plastic sheeting from the exterior surface of the specimen. What will then occur is air movement shall start infiltrating through the test specimen which then changes the pressure inside the chamber. Test personnel will then make the necessary adjustments to our vacuum system to once again reach and maintain the appropriate pressure differential required; after the pressure is reached the new and increased airflow measurement is then recorded (otherwise known as gross airflow). The tare air leakage is then subsequently subtracted from the gross airflow resulting in what is known and “net airflow”, which is the exact amount of air leakage passing through the test specimen. The amount of net airflow is then divided by the total square footage of the test specimen and compared to the maximum allowable air infiltration rate cfm/ft2.
What is involved in the ASTM E1105 Water Penetration Resistance Test for AAMA 503?
Note that the ASTM E1105 test method details two options to test, utilizing either Procedure A or Procedure B. The AAMA 503, as it applies to Commercial Glazing Systems such as Curtain Walls, Storefronts, Window Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems only tests to and requires Procedure A, which we shall explain in more depth below.
ASTM E1105, Procedure A – Is a field water penetration test used for Quality Control Purposes. It is meant to check a commercial window’s ability to stop water intrusion from occurring during rain events. The field testing is conducted at the required (or project specified) air pressure differential while simultaneously spraying water on to the exterior side of the test specimens at the required water flow rate of 5 US Gallons/Hour per Square Foot. During the test procedure test personnel is actively monitoring and inspecting interior surfaces for water intrusion. The test duration is 15 minutes in length.
What is the End Result of Completing the AAMA 503 (ASTM E783 and ASTM E1105, Procedure A)?
After our test crew completes an AAMA 503 test in Los Angeles, we draft a full formal electronic report for the client with detailing all data and test results with full color photographs. We then go on to state whether or not the test specimen (window or door product) either meets the performance criteria for allowable air leakage (air infiltration) and water penetration resistance (water intrusion) or does not meet the criteria. If a product does not meet the required test criteria it is considered a failure, at which point further forensic investigation may be required followed by remediation until the test specimen(s) can successfully pass the test.
AAMA 503 Field Testing | Water Intrusion Specialist
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