ASTM E783-02(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors
Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining the air leakage characteristics of installed exterior windows and doors under specified static air pressure differences.
Note 1: The air pressure differences acting across a building envelope vary greatly. The factors affecting air pressure differences and the implications of the resulting air leakage relative to the environment within buildings are discussed in the literature.3, 4, 5 These factors should be fully considered in specifying the test pressure differences to be used.
5.2 Rates of air leakage are sometimes used for comparison purposes. Such comparisons may not be valid unless the components being tested and compared are of essentially the same size, configuration, and design.
5.3 Rates of air leakage of essentially identical windows or doors, as determined in the laboratory (Test Method E283) and as measured in the field by this test method, have sometimes been used for comparison purposes. The correlation between the laboratory and field test results, and the correlation between actual performance of in-service products and the response to these tests has not been established because of insufficient data.
5.4 Rates of air leakage, as determined by this test method may be affected by: the age or physical condition of the test specimen; the type or quality of installation; the care exercised in the attachment of the test apparatus and the determination of extraneous leakage; and the actual conditions to which the test specimen is exposed beyond those imposed by the test method, that is temperature, relative humidity, wind impingement, etc. Consideration must be given to the proper selection of test specimens, the choice of appropriate test technique (when a choice is given within this test method), and the proper use and interpretation of the results obtained from this test to minimize the effect of these conditions.
5.5 Rates of air leakage, as determined by this test method may i...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a field procedure for determining the air leakage rates of installed exterior windows and doors.
1.2 This test method is applicable to exterior windows and doors and is intended to measure only such leakage associated with the assembly and not the leakage through openings between the assemblies and adjacent construction. The test method can be adapted for the latter purpose, provided the potential paths of air movement and the sources of infiltration and exfiltration can be identified, controlled, or eliminated.
1.3 This test method attempts to create and given set of natural environmental conditions. There is a strong possibility that the test method or the test apparatus may, by virtue of their design and use, induce air leakage that does not occur under natural environmental exposure.
1.4 This test method is intended for the field testing of installed exterior windows or doors. Persons interested in laboratory testing of fenestration products should reference Test Method E283.
1.5 Persons using this procedure should be knowledgeable in the area of fluid mechanics and instrumentation practices, and shall have a general understanding of fenestration products and components.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established ...
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E783 − 02 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed
Exterior Windows and Doors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E783; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method provides a field procedure for deter-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
mining the air leakage rates of installed exterior windows and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
doors.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 This test method is applicable to exterior windows and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
doors and is intended to measure only such leakage associated
2. Referenced Documents
with the assembly and not the leakage through openings
between the assemblies and adjacent construction. The test
2.1 ASTM Standards:
method can be adapted for the latter purpose, provided the
E283Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage
potential paths of air movement and the sources of infiltration
Through ExteriorWindows, Skylights, CurtainWalls, and
and exfiltration can be identified, controlled, or eliminated.
Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the
Specimen
1.3 This test method attempts to create and given set of
E631Terminology of Building Constructions
natural environmental conditions. There is a strong possibility
thatthetestmethodorthetestapparatusmay,byvirtueoftheir
3. Terminology
design and use, induce air leakage that does not occur under
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this test method are defined
natural environmental exposure.
in Terminology E631.
1.4 This test method is intended for the field testing of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
installed exterior windows or doors. Persons interested in
3.2.1 air leakage rate (q or q )—theairleakageperunitof
A L
laboratory testing of fenestration products should reference
specimen area (A) or per unit length of operable crack
Test Method E283. 3 2 3 2 3
perimeter (L), expressed as m/s−m (ft /min−ft ), or m /
1.5 Persons using this procedure should be knowledgeable
s−m(ft /min−ft).
in the area of fluid mechanics and instrumentation practices,
3.2.2 extraneous air leakage (Q)—the volume of air
e
andshallhaveageneralunderstandingoffenestrationproducts
flowing per unit of time through the test chamber and test
and components.
apparatus, exclusive of the air flowing through the test
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as specimen, under a test pressure difference and test temperature
difference, converted to standard conditions, expressed in m /s
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa- (ft /min).
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Extraneous leakage is the sum of all
tion only and are not considered standard.
leakage other than that intended to be measured by the test.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.3 specimen air leakage (Q )—the volume of air flowing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
s
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- per unit of time through the specimen, under a test pressure
difference and test temperature difference, converted to stan-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3 3
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. dard conditions, expressed in m /s (ft /min).
For specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.
3.2.4 specimen area (A)—theareadeterminedbytheoverall
dimensions of the frame that fits into the rough opening,
2 2
expressed as m (ft ).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51
on Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published October 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E783-02 (2010). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0783-02R18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E783 − 02 (2018)
3.2.5 test pressure differences—the specified differential 5.4 Rates of air leakage, as determined by this test method
static air pressure across the specimen, expressed as Pa may be affected by: the age or physical condition of the test
(lbf/ft ). specimen; the type or quality of installation; the care exercised
intheattachmentofthetestapparatusandthedeterminationof
3.2.6 test specimen—the assembled window or door unit as
extraneous leakage; and the actual conditions to which the test
installed in the exterior wall of a building. The test specimen
specimenisexposedbeyondthoseimposedbythetestmethod,
consistsofthemajorcomponentsoftheassembly,includingall
that is temperature, relative humidity, wind impingement, etc.
joints, cracks, or openings between such components and any
Consideration must be given to the proper selection of test
panning, receptors, extenders, sills, mullions, or other parts or
specimens, the choice of appropriate test technique (when a
components used for assembly and installation. The test
choiceisgivenwithinthistestmethod),andtheproperuseand
specimen excludes any joints, cracks, or openings between the
interpretation of the results obtained from this test to minimize
assemblyandanyinteriororexteriortrimthatisnotanintegral
the effect of these conditions.
partofthesystem,andexcludesanyjoints,cracks,oropenings
between the assembly and the adjacent wall construction.
5.5 Rates of air leakage, as determined by this test method
may include air leakage that does not occur during normal
3.2.7 total air flow (Q)—the volume of air flowing per unit
t
operation and exposure, or that does not contribute to the
oftimethroughthetestchamberandtestapparatusinclusiveof
overall air leakage for the structure.Air may be supplied to or
the air flowing through the test specimen, under a test pressure
exhausted from wall cavities or adjacent construction, or may
difference and test temperature difference, converted to stan-
3 3
bypass interior or exterior trim or components in a manner not
dard conditions, expressed in m /s (ft /min).
experienced during normal operation or exposure. Care must
3.2.8 unit length of operable crack perimeter (L)—the sum
be taken to prevent such leakage from occurring, or consider-
of all perimeters of operable ventilators, sash, or doors con-
ation must be given that such leakage may have occurred
tained in the test specimen, based on the overall dimensions of
during the test.
such parts, expressed in m (ft).Where two such operable parts
5.6 This test method addresses the issue of air leakage
meet,thetwoadjacentlengthsofperimetershallbecountedas
through the high pressure face of the test specimen only. Air
only one length.
leakage from the adjacent wall cavity through sill, head, and
jambs of the window frame is considered extraneous air
4. Summary of Test Method
leakage and, therefore, not a component of the measured
4.1 The test consists of sealing a chamber to cover the
specimen air leakage. Such extraneous air leakage through the
interior or exterior face of a test specimen, supplying air to or
perimeterframeofthetestspecimencanbeasignificantsource
exhausting air from the chamber at a rate required to maintain
of air leakage into, or out of, the building if the frame is not
the specified test pressure difference across the specimen, and
sealed against air infiltration from the adjacent wall cavity.
measuring the resultant air flow across the specimen.
6. Apparatus
5. Significance and Use
6.1 The description of the apparatus in this section is
5.1 Thistestmethodisastandardprocedurefordetermining
general in nature (see Fig. 1). Any suitable arrangement of
theairleakagecharacteristicsofinstalledexteriorwindowsand
equipment capable of maintaining the required test tolerances
doors under specified static air pressure differences.
is permitted.
6.1.1 test chamber—achamberformedbysealingasheetof
NOTE 1—The air pressure differences acting across a building envelope
vary greatly. The factors affecting air pressure differences and the plywood,plastic,orothersuitablematerialagainsttheframeof
implicationsoftheresultingairleakagerelativetotheenvironmentwithin
the test specimen.At no time during the test shall the sheet or
3, 4, 5
buildingsarediscussedintheliterature. Thesefactorsshouldbefully
any other part of the testing assembly, come in contact with or
considered in specifying the test pressure differences to be used.
restrict any point where air leakage may occur. At least one
5.2 Rates of air leakage are sometimes used for comparison
static air pressure tap shall be provided on each side of the
purposes. Such comparisons may not be valid unless the
specimen to measure the chamber pressure versus the ambient
components being tested and compared are of essentially the
(indoortooutdoor)airpressure,andshallbelocatedsothatthe
same size, configuration, and design.
reading is unaffected by outdoor impinging wind, or by the air
5.3 Rates of air leakage of essentially identical windows or supply to or exhaust from the test chamber. The air supply
opening to the chamber shall be located in an area in which it
doors,asdeterminedinthelaboratory(TestMethodE283)and
as measured in the field by this test method, have sometimes does not directly impinge upon the test specimen.
6.1.2 supply air system—a controllable blower, exhaust fan,
been used for comparison purposes. The correlation between
thelaboratoryandfieldtestresults,andthecorrelationbetween or reversible blower designed to provide the required air flow
at the specified test pressure difference. The system should
actual performance of in-service products and the response to
thesetestshasnotbeenestablishedbecauseofinsufficientdata. provide essentially constant air flow at the specified test
pressure difference for a time period sufficient to obtain
readings of air flow.
6.1.3 pressure measuring apparatus—a device to measure
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, 1989.
the differential test pressures to 62% of setpoint or 62.5 Pa
Fluid Meters—Their Theory and Application, 5th Edition, 1959.
Chapter 4, “Flow Measurements,” Power Test Code, 2nd Edition, Part 5, 1956. (60.01 in. of water column), whichever is greater.
E783 − 02 (2018)
Pressure —101.3 kPa (29.92 in. Hg)
Temperature—20.8°C (69.4°F)
3 3
Air Density —1.202 kg/m (0.075 lbm/ft )
8.1.4 Directionofairflow,exfiltrationorinfiltration.Ifnone
is specified, the test shall be infiltration.
8.2 Air Leakage Rate—Basis for reporting air leakage rate
3 3
shall be total air leakage m /h (ft /min), per unit length of
3 3
operable crack perimeter, m /h−m (ft /min−ft), and per unit
3 2 3 2
area of outside frame dimension, m/h−m (ft /min−ft ).
8.3 The testing agency shall supply the following informa-
tion:
8.3.1 Whetherthetestchamberwillbeaffixedtotheinterior
or exterior side of the test specimen, and
8.3.2 Whetherthetest(s)willbeconductedusingpositiveor
negative static air pressure differences.
9. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
9.1 Determinethenumberofspecimenstobetestedandthe
procedurestobeusedfortheselectionandidentificationoftest
specimens according to the following:
9.1.1 The intended use of the test results;
9.1.2 The expected or estimated variation in results from
test specimen to test specimen;
9.1.3 The level of confidence desired in extrapolating the
test results to specimens not tested.
9.2 Establish specific limitations or requirements for the
FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Air Leakage Test Apparatus
repair, adjustment, or modification of test specimens prior to
testing.
6.1.4 air flow metering system—a device to measure the air
NOTE4—Althoughthespecifyingauthorityisresponsibleforestablish-
flowintothetestchamberorthroughthetestspecimen.Theair
ing test specimen sampling, selection, and identification procedures, such
flow measurement error shall not exceed 65% when the air
procedures should be mutually agreed upon by all parties involved prior
−4 3 3
flow equals or exceeds 9.44×10 m /s (2 ft /min) or 610%
to testing.
−4 3 3
whentheairflowislessthan9.44 ×10m /s(2ft /min).(The
10. Preparation of Test Specimen
reference listed in AnnexA1 presents background information
on fluid metering practices.)
10.1 Select and identify the test specimen in accordance
with the procedures established in 8.1.1 and 9.
NOTE 2—At lower flows a greater percentage of errors will be
acceptable. If higher precision is required, special flow metering tech-
10.2 Conduct a detailed visual examination of the test
niques are necessary. The accuracy of the specimen air leakage flow
specimen and the construction adjacent to the test specimen.
measurement is affected by the accuracy of the flowmeter and the amount
Record all pertinent observations.
of extraneous air leakage. (See Annex A1).
NOTE 5—The purpose of this examination is to record the physical
7. Hazards
condition of the test specimen and adjacent construction at the time of
testing. Examples of pertinent observations to be recorded include: any
7.1 Glass breakage may occur at the test pressure differ-
damage or deterioration observed; missing or broken components; mis-
encesappliedinthistest.Adequateprecautionsshouldbetaken
alignment or misadjustment of weatherstrip or other components; clean-
to protect personnel, observers, and bystanders.
liness of the test specimen; out-of-square installation; etc.
NOTE3—Additionalprecautionsmaybenecessarytoprotectpassers-by
10.3 Record any repairs, modifications, or adjustments
when tests are conducted to measure exfiltration. The choice of whether
madetothetestspecimen,particularlythosethatmayaffectthe
the test chamber is affixed to the interior or exterior side of the test
measured results.
specimen, and whether the tests are conducted using positive or negative
static air pressure can aid in the protection.
10.4 Make certain th
...
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