Evaluating the Field Performance

of Windows and Curtain Walls

of Large Buildings

Mario Gonçalves, Eng.

President

Windows and

curtain walls

represent as

much as 50%

to 100% of the

exterior

envelope of

large buildings

…

Context

… and are determining

elements in the performance of

the vertical building envelope.

Role of the building envelope …

Common problems

Water infiltration;

Excessive air leakage resulting in:

• discomfort to occupants

• condensation on interior surfaces

• icicle formation on exterior surfaces

Some examples

Performance requirements need

to be established for each project

on a case by case basis …

Performance requirements

Wind load resistance;

Resistance to water penetration;

Air leakage resistance;

Condensation resistance.

Industry standards

Laboratory evaluation AAMA/NWWDA-101

Voluntary Specifications for Windows and Glass Doors

CAN/CSA-A440 (Canada)Windows

AAMA 501Methods of Test for Metal Curtain Walls

NFRC 102Steady-State Thermal Transmittance of Fenestration Systems

AAMA 1503Voluntary Test Method for Thermal Transmittance and Condensation Resistance of Windows, Doors and Glazed Wall Sections

CSA/A440.2 (Canada)Energy Performance of Windows and other Fenestration Products

Industry standards

Field evaluation

AAMA 502Voluntary Specifications for Field Testing of Windowsand Sliding Glass Doors

AAMA 503Voluntary Specifications for Field Testing of Storefronts,Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems

CSA/A440.4 - Appendix D (Canada)Field Testing of Window and Door Installations

Field performance evaluation

Test methods

ASTM E783Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors

ASTM E1186Standard Practice for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelope and Air Barrier Systems (chamber pressurization inconjunction with white smoke tracers method)

ASTM E1105Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed ExteriorWindows, Curtain Walls and Doors by Uniform Static Air Pressure Differential

Other diagnostic tools

AAMA 501.2Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems

CAN/CGSB 149-GP-2MPManual for Thermographic Analysis of Building Enclosures

Thank you!