Materials Testing

When an architect prepares to design a new building there is many things he must take into consideration. Every detail of the building must be made in such a way that it is safe for the people who are going to occupy it as well as for those who are going to be passing by or in the near vicinity. Testing the materials before they are used is one way to ensure that the risks are minimized. There are several ways used to test the individual materials and then the assembled products before they are used to construct a building. Each of them must be performed according to standards that are laid out by recognized organizations such as the ASTM or the AAMA. These standards for testing the materials are the result of years of testing and retesting under every imaginable condition and are continuously changing as new uses and materials are developed. Materials testing can be done in several ways; in the building industry load capacity is a very important consideration. A window or door frame must be able to withstand a large amount of load simply by virtue of the way it is encapsulated as an integral part of the overall building structure.

With this in mind the frame is subjected to various loads to see if it can withstand these without warping, bending or collapsing. In the case of glass it is tested to see how well it withstands many different events both manmade and natural before it can be certified as usable for a certain project. The testing of materials is done to see how much force must be applied to it before it breaks, whether by wind driven debris or by someone attempted to break through it using a variety of objects. This can be important from both a safety and a security point of view. Windows must also be sealed against both air and water penetration to be effective, no one wants a leaky window in their home or business. Testing the materials being used in these windows for air leakage and water penetration is critical to ensure that this does not happen. In many cases this type of testing is performed after the fact, when a customer thinks they have a problem with the materials that were used in the construction of their home or business. Doors too must undergo rigorous materials testing process to ensure that they meet all necessary standards.

They must not only be able to withstand all of the damage and leakage caused by mother nature such as wind, rain and blowing debris, they must also be able to withstand assault by man. This assault comes in the form of attempted break-ins, usually such attempts include someone trying to kick the door in or smash through using sheer force. Whether it is their own laboratories or coming to your home or business QED Lab has the experience in materials testing to give you peace of mind. All of their staff is trained to perform the numerous tests required to assure you that you fenestration products meet or exceed the standards laid out by the ASTM and the AAMA. If they come to your home or business and have to dismantle parts for testing they will leave it as good if not better than it was before they arrived.