CWCT test standards are primarily intended for the testing of Building Envelopes in the United Kingdom whilst

ASTM
and AAMA Standards are produced for use in the USA and are also used in many other countries worldwide.

CWCT Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes Dec 2005 were updated to include the requirements of
European EN Curtain Walling Standards and now all test requirements are at least equal to the European
Standards and several surpass those requirements. For example, for water penetration tests, EN Standards require
that water is sprayed at a flow rate of 2ltrs/m2/hr, whilst the CWCT Standards mirror the higher rate of 3.4ltrs/m2/hr
of the ASTM, AAMA standards

CWCT tests are generally more onerous, although the American Standards include requirements for Seismic tests
which are not required in the UK

CWCT ASTM - AAMA

Air Permeability
Test pressure requirements are based on Design Wind loads Test pressure requirements are left for the Architect Project
with a minimum requirement of 300 Pa and testing is Consultant to determine and the test is only conducted at that
conducted in stages up to the peak test pressure 50 Pa and pressure ASTM states that the minimum test pressure should
then 50 Pa stages up to 300 Pa, followed by 150 Pa steps up to be 75 Pa AAMA recommends a minimum air pressure
peak test pressure it states that 300 Pa is the minimum test difference for walls should be 75 Pa and a maximum allowable
pressure and that a higher test pressure may be specified rate of air leakage of 1.08 m3/hr/m2 at that pressure. It then
when a more airtight building is required. goes on to say that a maximum pressure difference of 300 Pa
The maximum allowable air leakage rate is 1.5 m3/hr/m2 at and a maximum allowable rate of air leakage of 1.08 m3/hr/m2
peak test pressure and there are also requirements for at that pressure is recommended for buildings in which greater
intermediate pressures using a formula in the standard. At the control of air quality and/or humidity is required. In all cases,
lowest maximum test pressure of 300 Pa, using the formula the pressure is only held until it stabilises and then the airflow
there is a maximum allowable leakage rate of 0.45 m3/hr/m2 at reading is recorded
50 Pa which is well below the allowable rate of ASTM/AAMA
testing ASTM test methods also require that test results have to be
adjusted to Standard Conditions, that is Pressure 101.3 kPa,
CWCT uses classifications as per EN standards, however it does Temperature 20.8C and Air Density 1.202 kg/m2. This
not feel that the lower classifications are suitable for use in the ensures that whatever the conditions during testing, all test
UK and in the case of Air Permeability testing, the lowest sample results are based on a single set of Standard
specified classification is A3 at 300 Pa with A4 450 Pa and A5 conditions, and are therefore comparable.
600 Pa being the higher classes
There are no mandatory requirement for Exfiltration testing
There is no requirement for test results to be adjusted to Leakage from inside to the outside of the building envelope
standard conditions in either CWCT end EN Standards
There is no mandatory requirement for a repeat air leakage
There is a mandatory requirement for Exfiltration testing which test following Wind Resistance testing
should be conducted at 50 Pa and 100 Pa however there is
no performance requirements but the standard makes
reference to the current Building Regulations requirement of 10
m3/hr/m2 at 50 Pa and states that the specifier may wish to
require lower leakage rates for the main building elements in
order to allow for greater leakage in other parts of the
envelope

There is also a requirement that Air leakage should not

increase during the repeat test, which follows Wind Resistance
testing, by more than 0.3 m3/hr/m2 at the peak test pressure

Static Water Penetration

Test pressure requirements are based on Design Wind loads Test pressure requirements are left for the Architect Project
with a minimum requirement of 300 Pa Testing begins at 0 Pa Consultant to determine and testing is only conducted at that
for 15 minutes and then in stages of 50 Pa up to 200 Pa, then pressure
300 Pa, followed by 150 Pa steps up to peak test pressure
each pressure stage being held for 5 minutes, therefore a test The ASTM standard states that a default pressure of 137 Pa
to 600 Pa would continue for a total of 50 minutes should be used, however AAMA 501-05 recommends an air
pressure difference equal to 20% of the positive design wind
CWCT uses classifications as per EN standards, however it does pressure with a minimum of 300 Pa, and a maximum of 720 Pa
not feel that the lower classifications are suitable for use in the whichever pressure is used, the test continues for 15 minutes
UK and in the case of Air Permeability testing, the lowest at that pressure
specified classification is R5 at 300 Pa with R6 450 Pa and R7
600 Pa being the higher classes Water flow rate is 3.4ltrs/m2/hr
A water flow rate of 3.4ltrs/m2/hr is required, although the
lower rate of 2ltrs/m2/hr as per EN standards can be used but The ASTM standard defines Water penetration as:
the spray frame must be set up as to spray above the top of Penetration of water beyond a plane parallel to the glazing
the test specimen, instead of level with the top this ensures a (the vertical plane) intersecting the innermost projection of the
greater flow of water across the sample as CWCT feel that the test specimen, not including interior trim and hardware, under
lower flow rate of EN standards in their unmodified method are the specified conditions of air pressure difference across the
not sufficient for UK conditions specimen. For products with non-planer glazing surfaces
(domes, vaults, pyramids etc.) the plane defining water
CWCT performance requirements state that There shall be no penetration is the plane defined by the innermost edges of the
leakage onto the internal face of the building envelope system unit frame
at any time during the test At the completion of the test there
shall be no standing water in locations intended to remain dry AAMA 501-05 states that there shall be no water leakage, as
defined in AAMA 501.1 paragraph 5.5 which states:
It also advises that: - To avoid difficulty in interpreting the results Any water leakage occurring during the period of testing shall
it is good practice to agree which materials and zones within be noted and reported, stating both the location and the
the building envelope may be allowed to get wet quantity of leakage. Water leakage is defined as any
uncontrolled water that appears on any normally exposed
interior surfaces, that is not contained or drained back to the
exterior, or that can cause damage to adjacent materials or
finishes. Water contained within drained flashings, gutters, and
sills is not considered water leakage. The collection of up to 15
ml (1/2 oz) of water in a 15-minute test period on top of an
interior stop or stool integral with the system shall not be
considered water leakage.

The definition of interior stop or stool is as follows:

Stop - A moulding used to hold, position or separate window

parts.

Stool - An interior trim piece on a window which extends the sill

and acts as a narrow shelf.

Wind Resistance
ASTM E 330-02 specifies 2 types of test, Procedure A and
For Serviceability testing, CWCT test methods are the same as Procedure B and either can be used, but the choice will be left
EN Standards testing is required at both Positive and with the specifier and will be decided well before any testing
Negative pressures - Preparation pulses are 50% of design wind takes place
load or 500 Pa whichever is greater, and these pulses should
be held for at least 3 secs. Procedure A is used when there is no load-deflection curve
required and after opening and closing 5 times etc a pre-load
After the preparation pulse has been conducted, all of 50% of the Positive Test Load is applied and held for 10
deflection sensors are zeroed Measurements are required to seconds. The pressure is then released and after a period of
be recorded for the deflection of Framing members, transoms, not less than 1 minute or greater than 5 minutes the deflection
mullions etc there is also a requirement for measuring the sensors are zeroed. The Positive Test Load is then applied and
displacement of framing members at their point of support to sustained for not less than 10 seconds and the deflections are
the building structure then recorded. The test pressure is then reduced to zero and
after a period of not less than 1 minute or greater than 5
Positive test pressure pulses are applied in 4 stages, for a minutes, any permanent deformation shall be recorded. This
minimum period of 15 secs +/- 5 secs at each stage and the procedure shall then be fully repeated at Negative pressure
pressure stages are at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of design wind
load deflection measurements are recorded at each The test will then be repeated exactly as described above but
pressure stage. at a Proof Load, this is the test load multiplied by a factor of
safety, for example x 1.5, however the actual factor is not
Upon returning to 0 Pa deflection measurements are recorded quoted in the standard but it would be provided by the
again as there are requirements for the system to return within specifier well in advance of any testing
defined limits.
If glass breakage occurs at any test load, carefully examine
The test is then repeated at negative pressure preparation the test specimen to determine the cause of the breakage. If
pulses are applied after which, sensors are zeroed, however the breakage was caused by the deformation or failure of the
any sensors used to measure the displacement of framing supporting frame of the glass, by loosening or failure of any
members at their point of support to the building structure fasteners, or by damage to the glass caused by interaction
should not be zeroed as there is a requirement for the total between the glass and its supporting elements, record the
movement which occurs between the peak positive and findings and discontinue the test. If the breakage was not
negative pressures caused by the above named structural problems, replace the
glass using the original fasteners and continue the test at the
Allowable CWCT deflection details are as follows load where glass breakage occurred. If new structural
elements or fasteners are used instead of the original ones,
 repeat the entire test. There is a note in the standard which
FRAMING MEMBERS GENERALLY should be remembered to the effect that The probability of
glass breakage is directly related to the duration of the load
LENGTH ALLOWABLE DEFLECTION on the glass so any overloading or over timing of the test
Less than or equal to loads must be avoided
Equal to or less than H/200
3000 mm
Greater than 3000 or less Equal to or less than Procedure B is used when there is a load-deflection curve
than 7500 mm H/300 + 5mm required and after opening and closing 5 times etc a pre-load
Equal to or greater than of 50% of the Positive Test Load is applied and held for 10
Equal to or less than H/250 seconds, unless otherwise specified. The pressure is then
7500 mm
released and after a period of not less than 1 minute or
DESCRIPTION ALLOWABLE DEFLECTION
greater than 5 minutes the deflection sensors are zeroed. The
L/125 of their length Positive Test Load is then applied in the number of increments
FRAMING MEMBERS WITH
measured along pane specified up to the specified maximum test load. The specifier
SINGLE GLAZING
edge shall determine the number of increments to be used in the
L/175 of their length test, not to be less than 4 approximately equal increments,
FRAMING MEMBERS WITH measured along pane (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), to the maximum test load. At each
DOUBLE GLAZING edge, or 15 mm, whichever increment, unless otherwise specified, apply and maintain the
the lesser full test load for 10 seconds, unless otherwise specified and
Aluminium, Glass or Steel = record pertinent deflection readings. The test pressure is then
L/90 measured between reduced to zero and after a period of not less than 1 minute or
points of attachment greater than 5 minutes, any permanent deformation shall be
Stone or similar brittle matl. recorded. There is no requirement for this procedure to be
RAINSCREEN PANELS
= L/360 or 3mm whichever repeated at Negative pressure
the lesser, measured
between points of ASTM E 330-02 does not specify any allowable deflections, but
attachment AAMA 510-05 states the Deflection shall not exceed L/175 of
Residual deformation of Framing Members the clear span at a uniform load equal to the specified design
wind pressure it also recommends that maximum deflections
After loading to the peak test pressure and unloading, residual normal to the plane of the wall shall be limited to L/175 for
deformation to framing members shall nowhere be more than spans up to 4115 mm. For spans greater than 4115 mm but less
5% of the maximum measured deformation or 1 mm, than 12.2m, deflections at design loads shall be limited to
whichever the grater, with 1 hour being allowed for recovery L/240 +1/4, (6.4mm)
this applies to both positive and negative tests
AAMA also requires that a Safety test is conducted following
Displacement of Supports the repeat water tightness test and shall be at 150% of Positive
and Negative design pressures. It requires that at that load, no
The displacement of framing members at their point of support glass breakage or permanent damage to panels, fasteners or
shall be less than 2mm taken as the difference between the anchors shall occur and permanent deformation to wall
positions under peak positive and negative loads framing members shall not exceed 0.2% of their clear spans

The air infiltration of the sample shall not exceed that

measured before the application of the design wind load by
more that 0.3 m3/hr/m2 at the peak test pressure

For Wind Resistance Safety testing this is a mandatory test in

the CWCT standard although an optional test in EN Standards

The sample is subject to one pulse of 150% of the design wind

load, having first being subject to Preparation pulse - 50% of
design wind load or 500 Pa whichever is greater, and these
pulses should be held for at least 3 secs and the sensors are
then zeroed exactly as per the serviceability test the test
pressure is held for a minimum period of 15 secs +/- 5 secs

When the pressure is removed the whole sequence is the

repeated at Negative pressure

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS - AT 1.5 X DESIGN WIND LOAD (SAFETY)

Integrity of building envelope system

At both positive and negative applications of the peak test

pressure, there shall be no permanent damage to framing
members, panels or anchors. Framing members shall not be
buckled. Panels, glazing beads and decorative capping
pieces shall remain securely held and gaskets shall not be
displaced.
Residual deformation

After loading to the positive and negative peak test pressure,

residual deformation of framing members shall not exceed
L/500 of the span, measured between points of attachment, 1
hour after the loading has been removed

Displacement of Supports

Displacement of framing members at their point of support

which shall be less than 3mm taken as the difference between
the positions under peak positive and negative loads

Opening Lights

Opening lights shall remain closed