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The passage of House Bill 1848 into law occurred August 1st, 2006. This recent legislation, (specifically RCW 65.55.050) requires mandatory window testing on all new multi-family condominium construction projects in the State of Washington. Provisions in the new law include:
"...Water penetration resistance testing of a representative sample of windows and window installations. Such tests shall be conducted according to industry standards. Where appropriate, tests shall be conducted with an induced air pressure difference across the window and window installation. Additional testing is not required if the same assembly has previously been tested in situ within the previous two years in the project under construction by the builder, by another member of the construction team, such as an architect or engineer, or by an independent laboratory..."
Breaking it Down...FAQ's
Language in the new law includes:
"...Water penetration resistance testing of a representative sample of windows and window installations..."
Q. What constitutes a representative sample?
A. That is a good question. What most people want to know more specifically is, "How many windows and installation should be tested?" There are several possible answers. One good answer is:
"As many as the building envelope consultant or test specifier requests to obtain a written sign off on the building." Since the new law isn't specific about quantifying test sample sizes, you may have to test the quantity requested by the inspector or specifier to obtain the desired final sign-off or assurance letter.
Perhaps the most practical, however, is this:
"At least one sample that represents the largest size of each occurring window configuration, (e.g. 1 horizontal slider, 1 single hung, 1 casement, 1 sliding glass door, etc.) and at least one sample of each representative installation condition, (e.g. 1 of each specific and unique installation detail condition).
By applying this method, you have provided a good quality assurance benchmark for each manufactured product design as well as each specialized installation detail condition.
What QEDLAB is Seeing...
...As a certified AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association) laboratory and field-testing agency, Q.E.D. is testing new projects with new window products and installations every week. What can we tell you about what we have seen so far?
Simply this: Testing at the right time is just as important as testing the right number of products and installations. Testing has historically proven itself very effective in proactively identifying problems and deficiencies in product manufacturing as well as on-site installations.
However, if the right information comes to you at the wrong time, it can lose it's value. A good rule of thumb is, "Test Early and Test Thoroughly". Remember, the longer it takes you to discover problems will typically result in proportionally increased costs to remediate and resolve them. Testing is a powerful information tool. As with all steps of the construction process, it is critical to remember:
Getting the right information to the right people at the right time ensures that they have the ability to make the right decisions.
Testing early and thoroughly on your project may well be the key to achieving project success.
Have you considered mock-up or pre-testing on manufactured window products and complex interface details prior to installation? This is known as "proof of concept" assurance testing. If you would like to know more about this topic, ask your local QEDLAB representative. Q.E.D. can help with all your testing and assessment planning needs.
What Test Standards Should You Be Seeing?
"...Such tests shall be conducted according to industry standards. Where appropriate, tests shall be conducted with an induced air pressure difference across the window and window installation..."
The test they are talking about here is known as the ASTM E 1105 - "Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference"
The ASTM E 1105 test simulates a wind driven rainstorm and is performed by applying water to the outdoor face and exposed edges fo the test area while simultaneously inducing a static differential air pressure that is higher at the outdoor face than the pressure at the indoor face.
While the instructions on how to perform the physical mechanics of the test are contained in the E 1105 test standards document, the information on how to apply the E 1105 test to your specific project comes from the AAMA 502-02 or AAMA 503-03 test specifications.
These two AAMA specifications identify default test pressures and/or tie the test pressure back to the actual project specifications. They additionally inform on when to use cyclic or uniform static pressure differentials based on standard fenestration product certification classes which include "...(R) Residential, (LC) Light Commercial, (C) Commercial, (HC) Heavy Commercial, and (AW) Architectural..."
Q.E.D. is here to assist with any of your fenestration needs. We are excited to offer you exceptional customer care coupled with first-rate professional testing services. If you have any questions, please contact us!
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