Aama 501.2-03

A M E R I C A N A R C H I T E C T U R A L
AAMA 501.2-03
Quality Assurance and
Diagnostic Water Leakage
Field Check of Installed
Storefronts, Curtain Walls,
and Sloped Glazing Systems
M A N U F A C T U R E R S A S S O C I A T I O N
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Scope and Purpose.............................................................1
2.0 Preparation of Test Area......................................................1
3.0 Apparatus .........................................................................1
4.0 Procedure .........................................................................1
5.0 Remedial Work and Re-Checking ...........................................2
6.0 Test Report .......................................................................2
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Storefront..................................................................3
Figure 2: Sloped Glazing ...........................................................4
Figure 3: Curtain Wall ...............................................................4
Figure 4: Water Leakage Field Check ...........................................5
AAMA. The Source of Performance Standards, Product Certification and

Educational Programs for the Fenestration Industry.
This voluntary specification was developed by representative members of AAMA

as advisory information and published as a public service. AAMA disclaims all
liability for the use, application or adaptation of materials published herein.
© 2003
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE 847/303-5664 FAX 847/303-5774
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org WEBSITE www.aamanet.org
All AAMA documents may be ordered at our web site in the “Publications Store”.
Publish Date: 7/2003

they shall be removed at the test area to allow visual
1.0 SCOPE AND PURPOSE access to check for water penetration, or other means of
visual access shall be provided. If removal of interior
The purpose of this document is to provide a quality finish work is required the sponsor of the test is
assurance and diagnostic field water check method for responsible for the cost of removal and repairs.
installed storefronts, curtain walls, and sloped glazing
systems. The procedure outlined in this document is not
intended to test the rated or specified water performance 3.0 APPARATUS
representative of a wind driven rain event. AAMA 503 is
the proper test method for field testing of storefronts, The test shall be conducted using a Type B-25, #6.030
curtain walls, and slope glazing for air leakage resistance brass nozzle with a 1/2" FPT as manufactured by
and water penetration resistance performance. Monarch Manufacturing Works, Inc./Newton Tool &
Mfg. Company, 500 Pedricktown Road, Swedesboro, NJ
NOTE: This field check method is not appropriate for 08085 (Phone: 856-241-1500 or 800-394-7377). The
testing of operable components such as operable windows nozzle shall be connected to a hose [19 mm (3/4 in)
and doors. AAMA 502-02 is the proper test method for diameter is suggested] and shall be provided with a
field air leakage resistance and water penetration control valve and a pressure gauge between the valve and
resistance testing of operable windows and doors. the nozzle. The water pressure to the nozzle shall be
adjusted to produce 205 to 240 kPa (30 to 35 psi) at the
This field check procedure is intended to evaluate those nozzle inlet. The pressure gauge shall be calibrated at a
joints, gaskets and sealant details in the glazing which are maximum of 6 month intervals. Record of calibration
designed to remain permanently closed and water tight. certificates shall be made available upon request.
The primary units of measure in this document are metric. NOTE: This test method may be conducted at pressures
The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the lower than 205 kPa (30 psi) providing that the reason (i.e.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for not practical at a multistory building location) for not
reference only. achieving this pressure is 1) acceptable to the specifier, 2)
the pressure is not lower than 170 kPa (25 psi) and 3) the
reason and the actual pressure are so noted in the test
2.0 PREPARATION OF TEST AREA report as an exception to the method.
All framing and/or units shall be installed on the lower
two typical floors of the building for curtain wall testing 4.0 PROCEDURE
and on the lowest typical floor for storefront or sloped
glazing system testing. The area shall be fully glazed to 4.1 The designated test area shall be divided into and
provide a completed installation. All of this work shall be evaluated in 1.5 m (5 ft) sections of the framing and joint.
done in strict accord with approved shop drawings and The nozzle shall be held at a distance of 305 mm (1 ft)
job specifications. The architect and/or owner's +25 mm (1 in) from the location under test. Each 1.5 m
representative shall designate an area of the completed (5 ft) section of test area shall be evaluated for a period of
portion to be tested. The test area shall be a 5 minutes by slowly moving the nozzle back and forth
representative sample of typical construction and shall over the test section (see Figure 4) while maintaining the
have no outstanding punch list items or other visible nozzle perpendicular to the plane of the wall.
defects. If no test area and/or location has been identified,
the persons doing the test shall select an area. This area NOTE: It is recommended that a gauge be attached to
shall be selected to provide representative performance the end of the nozzle to ensure that the specified distance
data, usually a minimum of 9.3 m2 (100 ft2). The area to from the joint under test is maintained.
be tested shall include, perimeter caulking, typical splices,
frame intersections, and, if applicable, at least 2 entire 4.2 Working from the exterior, the wall test section shall
vision lites and 2 entire spandrel lites containing an be selectively wetted progressing from the lowest
intermediate vertical member and an intermediate horizontal framing member, then the adjacent framing
horizontal member. All operable components within the intersections, then the adjacent vertical framing members,
test area shall be isolated and exempt from the test etc. During the test, an observer on the indoor side of the
procedure. See Figures 1, 2 and 3 for typical test wall, using a flashlight if necessary, shall check for any
assemblies. water leakage and shall note where it occurs.
NOTE: Testing shall be performed as soon as possible NOTE: For this water leakage field check, water leakage
after the fenestration product is installed and prior to the is defined as any uncontrolled water that appears on any
installation of drywall or other interior finish wall normally exposed interior surfaces, that is not contained
materials. If interior wall materials have been installed or drained back to the exterior, or that can cause damage
AAMA 501.2-03 Page 1

to adjacent materials or finishes. Water contained within SPECIFIER NOTE: AAMA accredited laboratories are
drained flashings, gutters, and sills is not considered required to comply with AAMA 204-98 "Guidelines for
water leakage. The collection of up to 15 ml (1/2 oz) of AAMA Accreditation of Independent Laboratories
water in a five minute test period on top of an interior Performing On-site Testing of Fenestration Products".
stop or stool integral with the system shall not be The requirement of AAMA accreditation assures the
considered water leakage. specifier that the laboratory has the staff, training,
experience, and calibrated equipment to properly perform
4.3 If no water leakage occurs during the five minute test, field testing.
the next 1.5 m (5 ft) of framing shall be wetted for five
minutes, and testing continued in this manner until the
entire test area is tested.
5.0 REMEDIAL WORK AND
RE-CHECKING
4.4 If water leakage occurs and the source of the leakage
cannot be identified, the following sequence shall be 5.1 Wherever water leakage has occurred, the framing
followed: shall be made watertight in a manner acceptable to the
architect and/or owner's representative. Remedial work
4.4.1 After allowing the wall to dry completely and involving the use of curing-type compounds shall be
working downward from the top of the area to be allowed to set before it is re-checked for leakage.
checked, all joints, gaskets and framing within this area
shall be completely and tightly covered, on the outdoor 5.2 After all necessary remedial work has been completed
side, with a water proof adhesive masking tape. If and the required curing time, if any, has elapsed, all
necessary, use small amounts of sealant where the tape repaired framing sections shall again be checked,
wraps around the framing corners and joints to ensure that following the same procedure as before (Section 4).
the masking is complete and waterproof. Should leakage still be found, further remedial measures
shall be taken and checking shall be repeated until all
4.4.2 Starting at the bottom of the prepared area, the framing in the designated area is found to be satisfactory.
masking tape shall be removed from the lowest horizontal
framing for a distance of not more than 1524 mm (5 ft)
from one end of the frame, including the joint intersection 6.0 TEST REPORT
or corner at the end. This exposed length shall be
subjected to the nozzle spray as directed in Section 4.1. 6.1 The test report shall include the following general
information: testing agency, date and time of test, date of
4.4.3 If no water leakage occurs during the five minute report, identification and location of the building.
test period, this length of framing shall be considered
satisfactory and shall remain uncovered. If leakage has 6.2 The test report shall include the following information
occurred at any point, the framing shall be retaped at such regarding the fenestration test specimen: Manufacturer,
points to prevent further leakage of these points during model, dimensions, materials, etc.; identification and
the subsequent checking of joints and framing adjacent to locations of fenestration product(s) on the building;
or above them. physical condition of fenestration product; description of
any modifications made to the fenestration products.
4.4.4 This process shall then be repeated on all framing,
gaskets and joint intersections within the designated area, 6.3 The test report shall include a statement regarding
using increments of exposed framing length not sampling procedures.
exceeding 1524 mm (5 ft) and always working upward on
the wall. 6.4 The test report shall include all test results (and all
retests) and a record of all points of water leakage.
NOTE: In some cases, due to unforeseen delays or other
causes, more than one working day may be required to 6.5 The test report shall include a compliance statement
completely check the designated area, necessitating that indicating that the tests were conducted in accordance
some or all of the masking tape be left in place over night. with this method or completely describe any deviation.
The tape should not remain on finished metal or glass Also state whether or not the results indicate compliance
surfaces any longer than necessary, especially where with the field testing specification requirements for the
subjected to strong sunlight, as this may make its removal project.
difficult. It is the responsibility of the party contracting
for the test to properly clean any residual adhesive or
sealant resulting from the testing.
4.5 Testing shall be performed by an AAMA accredited

independent testing agency.

FIGURE 1: STOREFRONT

FIGURE 2: SLOPED GLAZING
V V
S S
FIGURE 3: CURTAIN WALL

FIGURE 4: WATER LEAKAGE FIELD CHECK

American Architectural Manufacturers Association
1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550
Schaumburg, IL 60173
PHONE (847) 303-5664 FAX (847) 303-5774
WEBSITE www.aamanet.org
EMAIL webmaster@aamanet.org

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A M E R I C A N A R C H I T E C T U R A L

2.0 Preparation of Test Area......................................................1

3.0 Apparatus .........................................................................1

4.0 Procedure .........................................................................1

5.0 Remedial Work and Re-Checking ...........................................2

6.0 Test Report .......................................................................2

Figure 2: Sloped Glazing ...........................................................4

Figure 3: Curtain Wall ...............................................................4

Figure 4: Water Leakage Field Check ...........................................5

AAMA. The Source of Performance Standards, Product Certification and

This voluntary specification was developed by representative members of AAMA

Publish Date: 7/2003

AAMA 501.2-03 Page 1

4.5 Testing shall be performed by an AAMA accredited

AAMA 501.2-03 Page 2

AAMA 501.2-03 Page 3

FIGURE 3: CURTAIN WALL

AAMA 501.2-03 Page 4

AAMA 501.2-03 Page 5

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