Designation: E 1105 – 00 (Reapproved 2008)

Standard Test Method for

Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed
Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls, by
Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1105; 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 2. Referenced Documents

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis- 2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
tance of installed exterior windows, curtain walls, skylights, E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
and doors to water penetration when water is applied to the
outdoor face and exposed edges simultaneously with a static air 3. Terminology
pressure at the outdoor face higher than the pressure at the 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms relating to
indoor face. building construction used in this test method, see Terminology
1.2 This test method is applicable to any curtain-wall area or E 631.
to windows, skylights, or doors alone. It is intended primarily 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
for determining the resistance to water penetration through 3.2.1 specimen, n—the entire assembled unit submitted for
such assemblies for compliance with specified performance test as installed in the exterior wall of a building.
criteria, but it may also be used to determine the resistance to 3.2.1.1 Discussion—The test specimen consists of the major
penetration through the joints between the assemblies and the components of the assembly, including all joints, cracks, or
adjacent construction. Other procedures may be appropriate to openings between such components and any panning, recep-
identify sources of leakage. tors, extenders, sills, mullions, or other parts or components
1.3 This test method addresses water penetration through a used for assembling any installation. The joints between
manufactured assembly. Water that penetrates the assembly, assemblies and the openings into which they are mounted
but does not result in a failure as defined herein, may have (masonry openings, for example) are not part of the test
adverse effects on the performance of contained materials such specimen. However, these joints may be tested by this proce-
as sealants and insulating or laminated glass. This test method dure.
does not address these issues. 3.2.2 test pressure difference, n—the specified difference in
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge static air pressure across the closed and locked or fixed
of the principles of pressure measurement. specimen expressed in pascals (lbf/ft2).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3.2.3 water penetration, n—penetration of water beyond a
standard. The inch-pound equivalents of SI units may be plane parallel to the glazing (the vertical plane) intersecting the
approximate. innermost projection of the test specimen, not including
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the interior trim and hardware, under the specified conditions of air
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the pressure difference across the specimen. For products with
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- non-planer surfaces (domes, vaults, pyramids, etc.) the plane
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- defining water penetration is the plane defined by the innermost
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard edges of the unit frame.
statements, see 7.1.

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
2
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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on Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E 1105 – 00. the ASTM website.

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4. Summary of Test Method inside without the removal of interior finished walls and
4.1 This test method consists of sealing a chamber to the ceilings. Even with removal of interior walls and ceilings, it
interior or exterior face of specimen to be tested, supplying air may not be possible to observe curtain-wall surfaces behind
to a chamber mounted on the exterior or exhausting air from a spandrel beams. The feasibility of conducting a meaningful
chamber mounted on the interior, at the rate required to static air pressure difference water penetration test on an
maintain the test pressure difference across the specimen while in-service building must be carefully evaluated before being
spraying water onto the outdoor face of the specimen at the specified.
required rate and observing any water penetration. 5.5 Weather conditions can affect the static air pressure
difference measurements. If wind gusting causes pressure
5. Significance and Use fluctuation to exceed 610 % from the specified test pressure,
the test should not be conducted.
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining
the resistance to water penetration under uniform or cyclic 5.6 Generally it is more convenient to use an interior
static air pressure differences of installed exterior windows, mounted pressure chamber from which air is exhausted to
skylights, curtain walls, and doors. The air-pressure differences obtain a lower pressure on the interior surface of the specimen.
acting across a building envelope vary greatly. These factors A calibrated rack of nozzles is then used to spray water at the
should be considered fully prior to specifying the test pressure proper rate on the exterior surface. Under circumstances where
difference to be used. it is desirable to use an exterior-mounted pressure chamber, the
spray rack must be located in the pressure chamber and air
NOTE 1—In applying the results of tests by this test method, note that supplied to maintain a higher pressure on the exterior surface.
the performance of a wall or its components, or both, may be a function Exterior chambers are difficult to attach readily and seal to
of proper installation and adjustment. In service, the performance will also
exterior surfaces.
depend on the rigidity of supporting construction and on the resistance of
components to deterioration by various causes, vibration, thermal expan- 5.7 Even though the equipment requirements are similar,
sion and contraction, and so forth. It is difficult to simulate the identical this procedure is not intended to measure air infiltration
complex wetting conditions that can be encountered in service, with large because of the difficulty of isolating the component air leakage
wind-blown water drops, increasing water drop impact pressures with from the extraneous leakage through weep holes, mullion
increasing wind velocity, and lateral or upward moving air and water. joints, trim, or other surrounding materials.
Some designs are more sensitive than others to this upward moving water.
NOTE 2—This test method does not identify unobservable liquid water
which may penetrate into the test specimen. 6. Apparatus
5.2 Laboratory tests are designed to give an indication of the 6.1 The description of apparatus in this section is general in
performance of an assembly. Field performance may vary from nature, and any arrangement of equipment capable of perform-
laboratory performance since the supporting structure for the ing the test procedures within allowable tolerances is permit-
test specimen, methods of mounting, and sealing in the ted.
laboratory can only simulate the actual conditions that will 6.2 Major Components (Fig. 1):
exist in the building. Shipping, handling, installation, acts of 6.2.1 Test Chamber—A test chamber or box made of
subsequent trades, aging, and other environmental conditions plywood, plastic, or other suitable material and sealed against
all may have an adverse effect upon the performance of the the test specimen. Test chambers mounted on the interior must
installed product. This field test procedure provides a means be made so that interior surfaces and joints of the specimen can
for determining the performance of a product once installed in be easily observed for water penetration during the test. No
the building. part of the testing chamber shall come in contact with or
5.3 The field test may be made at the time the window, restrict any point where water pentration may occur. At least
skylight, curtain-wall, or door assemblies are initially installed one static air pressure tap shall be provided to measure the
and before the interior of the building is finished. At this time, chamber air pressure versus the ambient (interior-exterior) air
it is generally easier to check the interior surfaces of the pressure and shall be so located that the reading is unaffected
assemblies for water penetration and to identify the points of by exterior impinging wind, or by the velocity of air supply to
penetration. The major advantage of testing when assemblies or from the chamber. The air supply opening into or exhaust
are initially installed is that errors in fabrication or installation from the chamber shall be arranged so that air does not impinge
can be readily discovered and corrections made before the directly on the test specimen with any significant velocity. A
entire wall with its component assemblies is completed at means of access into the chamber may be provided to facilitate
which time the expense of corrective work may be increased adjustments and observations after the chamber has been
many times. installed.
5.4 The field test may also be made after the building is 6.2.2 Air System—A controllable blower, compressed air
completed and in service to determine whether or not reported supply exhaust system, or reversible blower designed to supply
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leakage problems are due to the failure of the installed the required maximum air pressure difference across the
assemblies to resist water penetration at the specified static air specimen. The system must provide essentially constant air
pressure difference. Generally it is possible to conduct tests on flow at a fixed pressure for the required test period.
window, skylight, and door assemblies without too much 6.2.3 Pressure Measuring Apparatus—A device to measure
difficulty, and to identify sources of leakage. A curtain-wall the test pressure difference within a tolerance of 62 % or 62.5
assembly, on the other hand, may not be accessible from the Pa (60.01 in. of water column), whichever is greater.

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FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Water Penetration Test Apparatus

6.2.4 Water-Spray System—The water-spray system shall 7. Hazards

deliver water uniformly against the exterior surface of the test
7.1 Warning—Glass breakage will not normally occur at
specimen at a minimum rate of 3.4 L/m2·min (5.0 U.S.
the small pressure differences applied in this test method.
gal/ft2·h).
Excessive pressure differences may occur, however, due to
NOTE 3—The National Weather Service Technical Paper No. 403 error in operation or gusting wind, therefore, exercise adequate
records that in the contiguous 48 United States, the greatest rainfall for a precautions to protect personnel.
1-h period is less than 12.7 cm (5.0 in.). The rate of 3.4 L/m2·min (5.0 U.S.
gal/ft2·h) specified in this test method corresponds to a rainfall of 20.3 cm 7.2 Take whatever additional precautions are necessary to
(8.0 in.)/h unless otherwise specified. protect persons from water spray, falling objects (which may
6.2.4.1 The water-spray system shall have nozzles spaced include tools), the spray system, or even the exterior test
on a uniform grid, located at a uniform distance from the test chamber.
specimen and shall be adjustable to provide the specified
quantity of water in such a manner as to wet all of the test 8. Examination of Test Specimens
specimen, uniformly and to wet those areas vulnerable to water 8.1 Select and identify the test specimen in accordance with
penetration. If additional nozzles are required to provide the procedures established in Section 10.
uniformity of water spray at the edge of the test specimen, they
shall be equally spaced around the entire spray grid. 8.2 Conduct a detailed visual examination of the test speci-
6.2.4.2 The intake water line to the nozzle grid shall be men and the construction adjacent to the test specimen. Record
equipped with a pressure gage and pressure adjusting valve. all pertinent observations.
For field testing, the water pressure shall be adjusted to the 8.3 If the intent is to test an operable window, skylight, or
same pressure at which the water spray system was calibrated. door, the unit should be checked for proper installation by
opening, closing, and locking the unit five times prior to
3
testing, with no further attention other than the initial adjust-
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service,
1325 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, http://www.nws.noaa.gov.
ment.

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NOTE 4—The purpose of this examination is to record the physical 10. Information Required
condition of the test specimen and adjacent construction at the time of
testing. Examples of pertinent observations to be recorded include; any
10.1 The specifying authority shall supply the following
damage or deterioration observed, missing or broken components, miss- information or provide guidance relative to its specification.
adjustment or weatherstrip or other components, cleanliness of the test NOTE 5—Although the specifying authority is responsible for establish-
specimen, out-of-square installations, and so forth. ing test specimen sampling, selection, and identification procedures, such
9. Calibration procedures or modifications to said unit should be mutually agreed upon
by all parties involved prior to testing.
9.1 The ability of the test apparatus to meet the applicable
requirements shall be checked by using a catch box, the open 10.1.1 Test specimen sampling, selection, adjustment, and
face of which shall be located at the position of the face of the identification.
test specimen. The calibration device is illustrated in Fig. 2. 10.1.2 Test pressure difference(s) to be applied during the
The catch box shall be designed to receive only water test.
impinging on the plane of the test specimen face and to exclude 10.1.3 Whether uniform or cyclic air pressure difference
all run-off water from above. The box shall be 610 mm (24 in.) tests, or both, shall be used. Duration and number of cycles if
square, divided into four areas each 305 mm (12 in.) square. cyclic test is used.
Use a cover approximately 760 mm (30 in.) square to prevent 10.2 Unless otherwise specified, failure criteria of this test
water from entering the calibration box before and after the method shall be defined as water penetration in accordance
timed observation interval. The water impinging on each area with 3.2.3. Failure also occurs whenever water penetrates
shall be captured separately. A spray that provides at least 1.26- through the perimeter frame of the test specimen. Water
L/min (20-gal/h) total for the four areas and not less than 0.25 contained within drained flashing, gutters, and sills is not
L/min (4 gal/h) nor more than 0.63 L/min (10 gal/h) in any one considered failure.
square shall be acceptable.
9.1.1 The water-spray system shall be calibrated at both 11. Preparation of Test Apparatus
upper corners and at the quarter point of the horizontal center 11.1 Fit the test chamber to the perimeter of the test
line (of the spray system). If a number of identical, contiguous, specimen to cover the entire assembly through which a check
modular spray systems are used, only one module need be for water penetration is to be made. Provide suitable support
calibrated. The system shall be calibrated with the catch boxes for the test chamber so that it does not contact or restrict any
at a distance within 651 mm (2 in.) of the test specimen point where water leakage may occur. Seal all joints between
location from the nozzle. The reference point for location of the the test specimen perimeter and the test chamber. Seal any
spray system from the specimen shall be measured from the openings between the test chamber and any air supply or
exterior glazing surface of the specimen farthest from the spray exhaust ducts, pressure taps, or other measuring devices.
system nozzles. Recalibrate at intervals necessary in the 11.2 Establish a means for measuring the air pressure
judgment of the testing agency but not more than six months. difference across the test specimen which takes into account
9.1.2 When the calibration is made, record the water pres- the difference that may exist between the static pressure in the
sure on the intake water line to the nozzle grid. When a field interior of the building and the static pressure on the exterior.
test is made, make sure to adjust the water pressure on the In the case of an interior mounted test chamber, it may be
intake line to the pressure recorded when the grid was possible simply to open a window in a room to balance the
calibrated. pressure. A pressure tap to the exterior for a pressure measuring

FIG. 2 Catch Box for Calibrating Water-Spray System

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 E 1105 – 00 (2008)
device on an interior-mounted chamber or a pressure tap to the 13.1.1 General—Testing agency, requester of test, date and
interior for an exterior-mounted test chamber would properly time of test, date of report, identification, and location of
account for any difference. building.
13.1.2 Test Specimen Description—Manufacturer, model,
12. Procedure operation type, dimensions, materials, etc.; identification and
12.1 Procedure A—Test under uniform static air pressure location of the test specimen(s) within the building; physical
difference as follows: condition of the test specimen, description of any modifications
12.1.1 Adjust the valve on the water-spray system so that made to test specimen; age of the test specimen, if known, etc.

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the intake water is being delivered at the calibrated pressure, as 13.1.3 Detailed Drawings—If available, detailed drawings
described in Section 9. of the specimen that provide a description of the physical
12.1.2 Apply the specified static air pressure difference characteristics, skylight sash or door dimensions and arrange-
within 15 s and maintain this pressure, along with the specified ment, framing location, panel arrangement, installation and
rate of water spray, for 15 min. spacing of anchorage, weatherstripping, locking arrangement,
12.1.3 Observe and note points of water penetration, if any, hardware, sealants, glazing details, and any other pertinent
that occur during the test. construction details. Any modifications made on the specimen
12.1.4 Remove the air pressure difference and stop the water to obtain the reported shall be noted.
spray. Carefully inspect the test specimen for any additional 13.1.4 Sampling Procedures—If applicable, describe or list
evidence of water penetration and note any such evidence for the procedures established.
the report. 13.1.5 Test Parameters—List the specified static air pres-
12.2 Procedure B—Test under cyclic static air pressure sure difference used in the test and the rate of water-spray
difference as follows: application if different from that specified in Section 6. If
12.2.1 Adjust the valve on the water-spray system so that cyclic test was used, list the number and duration of pressure
the intake water is being delivered at the calibrated pressure, as difference applications. Describe the location of the test cham-
described in Section 9. ber, whether mounted on the interior of the building or the
exterior; describe the method used to take into account the
12.2.2 Apply the specified static air pressure difference
difference in the static air pressure. If test was made to check
across the test specimen promptly and maintain this pressure,
the conformity of the specimen to a particular specification,
along with the specified rate of water spray, for the period of
identify or describe that specification.
time stipulated by the specification or the specifier. Unless
13.1.6 Test Conditions—List pertinent atmospheric condi-
otherwise specified, the duration of the pressure cycle shall be
tions such as pressures and temperatures and list exterior wind
5 min.
speed and direction as measured and recorded during the test.
12.2.3 While maintaining the water spray, reduce the air
13.1.7 Test Results—Record all water penetration as de-
pressure difference to zero for a period of not less than 1 min.
scribed in Section 12.
12.2.4 Repeat the preceding two steps for the specified
13.1.8 Compliance Statement—Include a statement that the
number of cycles. In no case, however, shall the total time of
tests were conducted in accordance with this test method or a
pressure application be less than 15 min.
complete description of any deviations from this test method.
12.2.5 Observe and note points of water penetration, if any,
13.2 If several identical specimens of a component are
which occur during the test.
tested, the results of all specimens shall be reported, each
12.2.6 At the conclusion of the required number of cycles,
specimen being properly identified, particularly with respect to
remove the air pressure difference and stop the water spray.
distinguishing features or differing adjustments. A separate
Carefully inspect the test specimen for any additional evidence
drawing of each specimen shall not be required if all differ-
of water penetration and note any such evidence for the report.
ences between them are noted on the drawings provided.
12.3 Measure and record the barometric pressure and tem-
perature of the air near the exposed surface of the test 14. Precision and Bias
specimen, and of the air near the air intake or exhaust of the air 14.1 No statement is made either on the precision or bias of
system. Measure and record the speed and direction of the air this test method for measuring water penetration since the
movement (wind) at or near the exposed surface of the test result merely states whether there is conformance to the criteria
specimen. Take such measurements immediately prior to or specified for success.
during the test.
15. Keywords
13. Report 15.1 curtain walls; doors; skylights; water penetration;
13.1 Report the following information: windows

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