Designation: C 1487 – 02 (Reapproved 2007)

Standard Guide for

Remedying Structural Silicone Glazing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1487; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.2.1 distress, n—the individual or collective physical mani-

1.1 This guide provides recommendations for remedying festations of a failure as perceivable problems. For structural
existing structural sealant glazing (hereinafter called SSG) sealant glazing, such distress may include sealant adhesive
installations in situ. Remedial work may be necessary when a failure, sealant cohesive failure, shifting of a lite, loss of a lite,
lite of glass is replaced, for routine maintenance, or after or water infiltration (see Guide C 1394).
distress is discovered. This guide focuses on large-scale 3.2.2 qualified person, n—one with a recognized degree or
remedies. professional registration and extensive knowledge and experi-
1.2 Committee C24 is not aware of any comparable stan- ence in the field of structural sealant glazing, and who is
dards published by other organizations. capable of design, analysis, and evaluation in the subject.

2. Referenced Documents 4. Significance and Use

2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 4.1 Guidelines are provided for remedying existing SSG
C 717 Terminology of Building Seals and Sealants installations. Refer to Guide C 1401 for a complete discussion
C 1392 Guide for Evaluating Failure of Structural Sealant of proper SSG design, installation, and materials.
Glazing 4.2 Due to the unlimited range of materials that may be used
C 1394 Guide for In-Situ Structural Silicone Glazing Evalu- in a particular building, and because each design is unique, the
ation information contained in this guide is general in nature.
C 1401 Guide for Structural Sealant Glazing 4.3 This guide should not be the only reference consulted
E 330 Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior when designing remedies for SSG. For example, the local
Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform building code and the manufacturers’ product literature for the
Static Air Pressure Difference actual materials used, if known, also should be considered. The
E 997 Test Method for Structural Performance of Glass in sealant manufacturer(s) should be involved fully with the
Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under the remedial design.
Influence of Uniform Static Loads by Destructive Methods 4.4 This guide is intended to be a resource, but it is not a
E 1233 Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior substitute for experience and judgement in designing remedies
Windows, Doors, Skylights, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic for the specialized types of construction discussed. It is
Air Pressure Differential intended to be used in conjunction with other resources as an
aid in remedying problems with existing SSG.
3. Terminology
5. Introduction
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of the terms used in this guide
are found in Terminology C 717. 5.1 There are numerous reasons that a building owner or
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: manager, hereinafter referred to as owner, may choose to
remedy an SSG system, including routine maintenance or to
correct discovered deficiencies. Regardless of the reason that
such a remedy is undertaken, it is recommended that the
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C24 on Building Seals remedial design and construction be performed under the
and Sealants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C24.10 on Specifi-
cations, Guides and Practices. supervision of a qualified person.
Current edition approved June 1, 2007. Published July 2007. Originally approved 5.2 It is essential to begin the remedial process with a
in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as C 1487–02.
2
comprehensive evaluation, in accordance with the guidelines
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
established in Guide C 1394. The underlying cause of failure
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on must be understood fully prior to implementing a remedy;
the ASTM website. otherwise, the failure may be repeated.

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 C 1487 – 02 (2007)
5.3 Based on the outcome of the evaluation, various rem- components other than those actually scheduled for permanent
edies may be indicated. The potential remedies include, de- adhesion because the adhesion characteristics can vary with
pending on the pervasiveness and the nature of the problem, exposure and manufacturing processes.
the following: 7.3 Because the field test procedure may be cumbersome
5.3.1 Isolated repairs (such as the replacement of an indi- and expensive to perform, it is recommended to perform
vidual lite of glass) can be performed by a competent glazier pretesting to screen possible combinations of products. These
trained in the proper installation of SSG. If the original SSG preliminary tests may be performed in the laboratory or in the
was properly performed, then such minor repairs can be field on convenient surfaces of the components, rather than the
effected by careful duplication of the original procedures. actual adhesion surfaces.
5.3.2 In-situ remedial work is necessary where pervasive 7.4 To verify adhesion with the final product combination,
problems exist in an SSG application, such as due to poor one field test procedure is as follows:
design or workmanship during original construction. 7.4.1 Perform a minimum of three tests in selected mock-up
5.3.3 Complete reglazing may be necessary in extreme areas. More tests should be performed depending on the
cases or at the end of the useful service life, in accordance with reasons for repair, or if the existing conditions vary with
the principles for new SSG. For example, if the existing joint exposure or other variables.
configuration does not allow adequate cleaning to replace a 7.4.2 Apply structural sealant and accessories to actual
structural joint, it may be necessary to reglaze, because adhesion surfaces exactly as they are intended to be installed
adhesion is critical to the performance of SSG and cleaning is during full-scale production work.
critical to adhesion. 7.4.3 Adjust the installation so that the structural sealant is
5.4 The remainder of this guide particularly addresses the exposed, for example, a weatherseal joint may have to be
type of in-situ remedial SSG projects as described in 5.3.2, to omitted during testing.
correct a pervasive problem without comprehensive reglazing. 7.4.4 After the cure time recommended by the sealant
manufacturer, install chambers over the test joints and adjacent
6. Remedial Design substrates. Bed chambers in sealant and adhere to the face of
6.1 If it is determined that a large-scale remedial program is the metal and glass, leaving the top open for filling. See Fig. 1.
necessary, then a remedial design should be developed by a 7.4.5 Fill the chambers with distilled water, causing the face
qualified person. of the test joints to be completely immersed in water. Seal the
6.2 Depending on the cause of the problem(s) with the top edge of the chambers after filling, to prevent evaporation.
existing installation, it may not be prudent to rely on the In cold climates, consideration should be given to protecting
original SSG design. the chamber from freezing.
6.3 The remedial design should include the following: 7.4.6 After seven days water immersion, remove chambers
6.3.1 Calculations of the structural sealant stress so that the and perform adhesion tests as prescribed by the sealant
final installation will comply with the SSG industry guidelines manufacturer. Acceptance criteria should be determined by the
(see Guide C 1401) and applicable codes. In some jurisdic- sealant manufacturer.
tions, glass replacement triggers the requirement to comply 7.5 Finally, prior to proceeding with implementation of the
with the current building code for glass strength and structural remedial work, consideration should be given to performing a
sealant joint capacity, rather than the code under which the full-scale load test on representative mock-ups. These tests can
building was originally constructed. be performed using suction cups on the exterior or interior of
6.3.2 Sealant product selection to be compatible with all the glass (Guide C 1392) or pressurized chambers on the
existing materials that it will contact. interior or exterior (Test Methods E 330, E 997, or E 1233).
6.3.3 Accessory product selection, if any are replaced or Such tests are often conducted at 1.5 times the design wind
added by the remedy, to be compatible with all existing service load. Depending on the specific causes of failure
materials that they will contact. identified by evaluation (Guide C 1394), it may be appropriate
to test individual components at different test loads.
7. Field Testing
7.1 Prior to implementing the proposed remedial work, field 8. Remedial Work
testing should be performed under the direction of a qualified 8.1 Once a remedial program has been developed and
person. Whereas, in new SSG installations it is possible to tested, it is essential that the production work be implemented
perform laboratory testing to verify the adhesion characteristics exactly like the approved mock-ups.
of the products and substrates, remedial SSG usually requires 8.2 It is important to recognize that most new SSG is
field testing. In-situ adhesion testing is strongly recommended performed using shop-glazing methods, whereas remedial SSG
for the selected product combination, including cleaner, typically will require field-glazing. It is more difficult to
primer, sealant, and the actual adhesion surface of the sub- maintain quality control procedures in the field, extra attention
strate. should be paid to monitoring the implementation, particularly
7.2 Field testing of the actual adhesion surface of the to ensure complete joint filling. Additional field testing also is
substrate is recommended, rather than another face of the same warranted. It is recommended that this monitoring and testing
component, because the adhesion characteristics may vary with be performed by or under the direction of a qualified person.
exposure. It may be necessary to deglaze a lite to access the 8.3 Even if it is generally expected that the specified
actual adhesion surface. It is not recommended to test faces of remedial work will be practical at most locations, it is prudent

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 C 1487 – 02 (2007)

NOTE—Legend:
(1) Weather Seal (remove for testing, if required)
(2) Spacer
(3) Structural Sealant
(4) Glass Lite or Panel
(5) Metal Framing System
(6) Test Chamber (sealed to face of wall, filled with water)
FIG. 1 Schematic Diagram of Typical Field Water Immersion Test
(Configuration May Vary for Different Structural Sealant Glazing Systems)

to inspect each lite of glass and its opening before implement- mended that the owner keep all evaluation and remediation
ing the remedy for differing existing conditions, such as reports in one notebook, along with other information pertinent
localized defects or dimensional variations. In particular, each to the SSG installation.
crew should have a measuring device (check block) of fixed 9.2 The remediation report should provide the following
size to determine whether the joint width is at least the information:
minimum specified before sealing; commonly, such devices are
9.2.1 Building identification, background information, and
fabricated for the project from wood, metal, or plastic. If the
device does not easily fit into a joint along any 6 in. (or other references to original design and construction firms.
dimension specified) of joint length, then it should be reglazed 9.2.2 Purpose of remedy, including triggering event or
in full compliance with the standards for new SSG. reason.
8.4 Care should be exercized to ensure that each glass lite is 9.2.3 Deliniation of locations or areas where remedial work
supported fully during the remedial work. Often, it is necessary was performed.
to stage the remedial work in phases so that the entire perimeter 9.2.4 Products used and test results.
of a lite is not cut out at one time, and to use temporary clips
9.2.5 Recommendations for further evaluation or remedial
to retain the lites while the new structural sealant cures for the
time recommended by the sealant manufacturer. action.

9. Documentation
9.1 It is very important that the remediation data be main-
tained by the owner in a standardized format. It is recom-

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 C 1487 – 02 (2007)
BIBLIOGRAPHY (6) Klosowski, J.M. Sealants in Construction, Marcel Dekker, Inc.,
1989.
Documents Prepared by Manufacturers and Trade (7) Panek, J. R. and J.P. Cook, Construction Sealants and Adhesives,
Associations: John Wiley & Sons, 1984.
Technical Papers and Special Technical Publications:
(1) American Technical Manual, by Dow Corning Corporation (8) Wilson, M.D., “In-Situ Re-Glazing of Structural Sealant Glazing
(2) SSG Technical Guide, by Momentive Performance Materials (for- Joints—A Case History,” ASTM STP 1243, 4th Science and Tech-
merly GE Silicones) nology of Building Seals, Sealants, Glazing, and Waterproofing.
(3) Architectural Guidelines for Glazing Systems, by Tremco Corpo- (9) Schwartz, T.A., Zarghamee, M.S., and Kan, F.W., “Structural
ration Sealant Glazing: In-Service Reliability Evaluation,” ASTM STP
(4) Curtain Wall Manual No. 13, Structural Sealant Glazing Systems 1286, 6th Science and Technology of Building Seals, Sealants,
(CW-13), AAMA Glazing, and Waterproofing.
(5) Two-Sided Structural Glazing Guidelines for Aluminum Framed
Skylights, Item No. AAMA TSGG-91, AAMA
Books:

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