ASTM E1646-95
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Metal Roof Panel Systems by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Metal Roof Panel Systems by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance of exterior metal roof panel systems to water penetration when water is applied to the outdoor face simultaneously with a static air pressure at the outdoor face higher than the pressure at the indoor face, that is, positive pressure. This test method is a specialized adaption of Test Method E331.
1.2 This test method is applicable to any roof area and is intended to measure only the water penetration associated with the field of roof including panel side laps and structural connections. It does not include leakage at openings or perimeter or any other details.
1.3 This test method is limited to specimens in which the side seams and attachments are clearly visible and in which the source of leakage is readily determined. Composite systems in which the source cannot be readily determined are outside the scope of this test method.
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of pressure and flow measurement.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only and may be approximate.
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes excluding tables and figures, which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be considered as requirements of the test method.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see 8.1.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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An American National Standard
Designation: E 1646 – 95
Standard Test Method for
Water Penetration of Exterior Metal Roof Panel Systems by
Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1646; 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 E 331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Win-
dows, Curtain Walls, and Doors by Uniform Static Air
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-
Pressure Difference
tance of exterior metal roof panel systems to water penetration
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
when water is applied to the outdoor face simultaneously with
E 1680 Test Method for Rate of Air Leakage Through
a static air pressure at the outdoor face higher than the pressure
Exterior Metal Roof Panel Systems
at the indoor face, that is, positive pressure. This test method is
E 1592 Test Method for Structural Performance of Sheet
a specialized adaption of Test Method E 331.
Metal Roof and Siding Systems by Uniform Static Air
1.2 This test method is applicable to any roof area and is
Pressure Difference
intended to measure only the water penetration associated with
2.2 Other Standard:
the field of roof including panel side laps and structural
AAMA 501 Methods of Test for Metal Curtain Walls
connections. It does not include leakage at openings or
perimeter or any other details.
3. Terminology
1.3 This test method is limited to specimens in which the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms relating to
side seams and attachments are clearly visible and in which the
building construction used in this test method, see Terminology
source of leakage is readily determined. Composite systems in
E 631.
which the source cannot be readily determined are outside the
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
scope of this test method.
3.2.1 specimen—the entire assembled unit submitted for
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge
test as described in Section 8.
of the principles of pressure and flow measurement.
3.2.2 test pressure difference—the specified difference in
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
static air pressure across the assembled and fixed specimen
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
expressed as pounds-force per square foot (newtons per square
information only and may be approximate.
metre (pascals)).
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and
3.2.3 water leakage—penetration of water onto the exposed
footnotes excluding tables and figures, which provide explana-
inside surface of the test specimen under specified conditions
tory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be consid-
of air pressure difference across the specimen during a 15-min
ered as requirements of the test method.
test period. Water penetration at or around end dams or side
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
rails is not leakage; end dams and side rails are installed to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
cause and control ponding over the panels and to support the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
panels. They are not part of the roof.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
4. Summary of Test Method
statements, see 7.1.
4.1 This test method consists of sealing and fixing the test
2. Referenced Documents specimen into or against one face of a test chamber, supplying
air to or exhausting air from the chamber at the rate required to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
maintain the test pressure difference across the specimen, while
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.57 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
on Performance of Metal Roof Systems. Available from Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association (AAMA),
Current edition approved April 15, 1995. Published June 1995. 35 East Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1646–95
spraying water onto the outdoor face of the specimen at the provide the required maximum air-pressure difference across
required rate and observing any water leakage. the specimen. The system must provide essentially constant
airflow at a fixed pressure for the required test period and be
5. Significance and Use
capable of maintaining positive and negative pressures.
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining 6.2.3 Pressure-Measuring Apparatus—A device to measure
the resistance to water penetration under uniform positive static
the test pressure difference within a tolerance of 62 %. The
air pressure differences, and simulates wind driven rain im- device must measure positive and negative pressures.
posed on sidelaps and rain that is free to drain while building
6.2.4 Water-Spray System—The water-spray system shall
a water head as it flows. The slope of the roof is significant.
deliver water uniformly against the exterior surface of the test
These factors shall be fully considered prior to specifying the
specimen at a minimum rate of 5.0 U.S. gal/ft per h or 8 in./h
test pressure difference.
(3.4 L/m per min).
6.2.4.1 The water-spray system shall have nozzles spaced
NOTE 1—In applying the results of tests by this method, note that the
on a uniform grid, located at a uniform distance approximately
performance of a roof or its components, or both, may be a function of
proper installation and adjustment. In service, the performance also 12 in. (0.3 m) above the test specimen, and be adjustable to
depends on the rigidity of supporting construction, roof slope, and on the
provide the specified quantity of water in such a manner as to
resistance of components to deterioration by various causes: corrosive
wet the test specimen uniformly and to wet those areas
atmosphere, aging, ice, vibration, thermal expansion and contraction, etc.
vulnerable to water leakage. The spray must be directed at all
It is difficult to simulate the identical complex wetting conditions that can
overlapping side seams with the stream centerline approxi-
be encountered in service, including large wind-blown water drops,
mately 20° off vertical (see Fig. 1). If additional nozzles are
increasing water drop impact pressures with increasing wind velocity, and
required to provide uniformity of water spray at the edge of the
lateral or upward moving air and water. Some designs are more sensitive
than others to this upward moving water.
test specimen, they shall be equally spaced around the entire
NOTE 2—This is a test procedure. It is the responsibility of the
spray grid.
specifying agency to determine the specimen construction, size, and test
pressures after considering the method’s guidelines. Practical consider-
7. Hazards
ations suggest that every combination of panel thickness, span, and design
load need not be tested in order to substantiate product performance.
7.1 Warning—Glass breakage and specimen failure do not
NOTE 3—This test method shall not, by itself, be relied upon to form
normally occur at the small pressure differences applied in this
conclusions about overall water penetration through metal roofs. A roof
test. Larger or excessive pressure differences occur during
contains many details. Although prescribed modifications are outside the
preload or due to error in operation or when the apparatus is
scope of this test method, an experienced testing engineer is able to use the
used for other purposes such as structural testing; therefore,
principles presented in this test method and generate significant data by
exercise adequate precautions to protect personnel.
isolating specific details and measuring leakage.
6. Apparatus
8. Test Specimen
6.1 The description of apparatus in this section is general in
8.1 Roof test specimens shall be of sufficient size to
nature, and any arrangement of equipment capable of perform-
determine the performance of all typical parts of the roof
ing the test procedure within the allowable tolerances is
system. For roofs constructed with prefabricated or preformed
permitted.
units or panels, the specimen width shall be equivalent to or
6.2 Major Components (see Fig. 1):
greater than the width of three typical units plus the side rail
6.2.1 Test Chamber—A test chamber or box with either an
supporting elements at each edge. The specimen shall contain
opening, a removable mounting panel, or one open face in
at least three assembled side lap seams; this allows partial
which or against which the specimen is installed and sealed.
width units. The specimen width shall be sufficient to provide
The specimen shall be installed horizontally. Chamber design
loading on at least one typical unit (see Fig. 1). The specimen
shall not allow run-off from the test chamber to drain onto the
shall be of sufficient length to develop a multispan condition
test specimen. At least one static pressure tap shall be provided
unless the panel is used only in single span applications. If two
to measure the chamber pressure and shall be so located that
spans are used, they shall be unequal, with the shorter being
the reading is unaffected by the velocity of the air supply to or
75 % of the longer. One panel end lap is optional but shall not
from the chamber. The air supply opening into the chamber
be used if the test will be run in tandem with Test Method
shall be arranged so that the air does not impinge directly on
E 1680. However, one end lap is allowed if the specifying
the test specimen with any significant velocity. When required,
authority adopts the option at Test Method E 1680.
a means of access shall be provided into the chamber to
NOTE 5—The unbalanced span criterion more closely simulates multi-
facilitate adjustments and observations after the specimen has
span panel deflection curvature. This works the panel sidelap while
been installed.
minimizing specimen length.
NOTE 4—Uniform ponding is essential to this test method—refer to 5.1.
8.1.1 All parts of the roof test specimen shall be full size,
For this reason the specimen slope must be horizontal, and the overflow
using the same materials, details, and methods of construction
devices described in 8.3 are required to control ponding. Chamber run-off
that drains onto the specimen is not allowed so that the accuracy and
and anchorage as used on actual buildings.
uniformity of the metered flow rate described in 6.2.4 is not compromised.
8.1.2 Condition of structural support shall be simulated as
6.2.2 Air System—A controllable blower, compressed air accurately as possible. If the roof system accommodates
supply, exhaust system, or reversible blower designed to thermal expansion parallel to the panel, this detail must be
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1646–95
FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Water Leakage Apparatus Positive Chamber System
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1646–95
included in the test specimen, and the interior support must be 9.1.1 The water-spray system shall be calibrated at all
able to slide parallel to the panel or its attachment or both. corners and, if no overlapping occurs, at the quarter and
8.2 If insulation is an optional component of the roof mid-points of the horizontal center line (of the spray system).
system, it shall not be included in the test specimen. If a number of identical, contiguous, modular spray systems are
8.2.1 If only one specimen is to be tested, the specifying used, only one module is required to be calibrated. The system
authority determines the selection. shall be calibrated with the catch boxes at a distance within 62
in. (50 mm) of the required test specimen location relative to
NOTE 6—It should be recognized that performance is likely to be a
the nozzle. Recalibration shall be at intervals necessary in the
function of size, geometry, and stiffness. Therefore, select specimens
judgment of the testing agency but not longer than 6 months.
covering the range of sizes to be used in a building. In general, the largest
size and least stiff of a particular design, type, construction, and configu-
ration should be tested (see Note 2 for related commentary).
10. Information Required
8.3 Overflow devices shall be provided to ensure that water
10.1 The test-pressure difference or differences at which
1 3
ponds at least ⁄2 in. (13 mm) but no more than ⁄4 in. (20 mm)
water penetration is to be determined, unless otherwise speci-
above the panel bottom between each major flute while the
fied, shall be 2.86 lbf/ft (137 Pa) for roof applications less than
specimen is subjected to the specified flow.
or equal to 30° from horizontal. Unless otherwise specified,
this test-pressure shall be 20 % of the positive design wind
9. Calibration
pressure but not less than 6.24 lbf/ft (300 Pa) for roof
9.1 The ability of the test apparatus to meet the require-
applications steeper than 30° from horizontal. The test pressure
ments of 6.2.4.1 shall be checked by using a catch box, the
shall not exceed 12 lbf/ft (575 Pa).
open face of which shall be located at the position of the face
NOTE 7—This commentary is included to assist the specifier in the
of the test specimen. The calibration device is illustrated in Fig.
selection of test pressures. This test method is consistent with the default
2. The catch box shall be designed to receive only water
test-pressure in Test Method E 331 and the recommendations in AAMA
impinging on the plane of the test specimen face and to exclude
Methods 501. This test method considers that although neither is tolerable,
all run-off water from above. The box shall be 24 in. (610 mm)
water penetration at roofs is generally even less acceptable than at walls
square and divided into four areas each 12 in. (305 mm) square.
. However, for shallow roofs, th
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