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The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document to provide a standard water penetration test method when it comes to using dynamic pressure. AAMA 501.1-17, the "Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Windows, Curtain walls and Doors Using Dynamic Pressure," establishes the equipment and procedures for testing.
In it, a section on test equipment updated to clarify what to do for laboratory testing versus on-site testing.
"The AAMA 501.1 dynamic pressure water test has been used as a laboratory test for over 50 years and is particularly useful when testing pressure equalized fenestration systems when severe windblown rain is a concern," said Greg McKenna (Kawneer), officer of the AAMA Methods of Test Committee. "In more recent years, this test has been used in the field due to the added benefit that a separate vacuum chamber is not needed. This is advantage if the building is occupied or if constructing a chamber at the building site is not a practical option."
Additional edits to this updated standard include the addition of two figures showing images of acceptable water leakage, plus a definition for what unacceptable water penetration means.
AAMA 501.1-17, as well as other AAMA documents, may be purchased from AAMA's online store. More information about AAMA and its activities can be found on the AAMA website, http://www.aamanet.org.
