ASTM E331-00(2023)

Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining the resistance to water penetration under uniform static air pressure differences. The air-pressure differences acting across a building envelope vary greatly. These factors should be fully considered prior to specifying the test pressure difference to be used.
Note 1: In applying the results of tests by this test method, note that the performance of a wall or its components, or both, may be a function of proper installation and adjustment. In service, the performance will also depend on the rigidity of supporting construction and on the resistance of components to deterioration by various causes, vibration, thermal expansion and contraction, etc. It is difficult to simulate the identical complex wetting conditions that can be encountered in service, with large wind-blown water drops, increasing water drop impact pressures with increasing wind velocity, and lateral or upward moving air and water. 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.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance of exterior windows, curtain walls, skylights, and doors to water penetration when water is applied to the outdoor face and exposed edges simultaneously with a uniform static air pressure at the outdoor face higher than the pressure at the indoor face.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to any curtain-wall area or to windows, skylights, or doors alone.  
1.3 This test method addresses water penetration through a manufactured assembly. Water that penetrates the assembly, but does not result in a failure as defined herein, may have adverse effects on the performance of contained materials such as sealants and insulating or laminated glass. This test method does not address these issues.  
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of pressure measurement.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 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 hazard statements, see 7.1.  
1.7 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2023
• ICS: 91.060.10 - Walls. Partitions. Facades
• ICS: 91.060.50 - Doors and windows
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.51 - Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls

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: E331 − 00 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors,
and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure
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Difference
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E331; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis- 2.1 ASTM Standard:
tance of exterior windows, curtain walls, skylights, and doors E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
to water penetration when water is applied to the outdoor face
3. Terminology
and exposed edges simultaneously with a uniform static air
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
E631.
1.2 This test method is applicable to any curtain-wall area or
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
to windows, skylights, or doors alone.
3.2.1 specimen, n—the entire assembled unit submitted for
1.3 This test method addresses water penetration through a
test as described in Section 8.
manufactured assembly. Water that penetrates the assembly,
3.2.2 test pressure difference, n—the specified difference in
but does not result in a failure as defined herein, may have
static air pressure across the closed and locked or fixed
adverse effects on the performance of contained materials such
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specimen expressed as Pascals (lbf/ft ).
as sealants and insulating or laminated glass. This test method
does not address these issues. 3.2.3 water penetration, n—penetration of water beyond a
plane parallel to the glazing (the vertical plane) intersecting the
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge
innermost projection of the test specimen, not including
of the principles of pressure measurement.
interior trim and hardware, under the specified conditions of air
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
pressure difference across the specimen. For products with
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
non-planer glazing surfaces (domes, vaults, pyramids, etc.), the
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
plane defining water penetration is the plane defined by the
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the innermost edges of the unit frame.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 This test method consists of sealing the test specimen
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
into or against one face of a test chamber, supplying air to or
For specific hazard statements, see 7.1.
exhausting air from the chamber at the rate required to
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
maintain the test pressure difference across the specimen, while
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
spraying water onto the outdoor face of the specimen at the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
required rate and observing any water penetration.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Significance and Use
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining
the resistance to water penetration under uniform static air
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51
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on Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E331 – 00 (2016). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E0331-00R23. the ASTM website.
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