ASTM E2068-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Operating Force of Sliding Windows and Doors
Standard Test Method for Determination of Operating Force of Sliding Windows and Doors
SCOPE
1.1 This test method determines the operating forces for opening and closing horizontal and vertical sliding windows and horizontal sliding door systems. It does not address the forces required for opening pivoting, projecting, or other fenestration systems. This test method does not address the use or performance of add-on devices or mechanical operators that might be installed to reduce operating forces of sliding windows or doors. It deals only with the forces necessary to open and close a sash or panel through the direct application of force to the operable sash or panel.
1.2 This test method is suitable for laboratory product comparisons or for qualifying products, or both, as meeting window or door operating force specifications. This test method is also suitable for use in the field to determine the operating forces required to open and close installed sliding windows and doors.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 precautionary statements, see Section .
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Designation:E2068–00
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Operating Force of Sliding Windows and
Doors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2068; 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 3.2.2 fully open position—the point at the limits of the
operating hardware (if applicable) or the point at which the
1.1 This test method determines the operating forces for
sash or panel contacts a limiting device.
opening and closing horizontal and vertical sliding windows
3.2.3 fully closed position—the position of the sash or panel
and horizontal sliding door systems. It does not address the
after being closed, latched, and unlatched, or where the sash or
forces required for opening pivoting, projecting, or other
panel is closed to its maximum engagement within a frame or
fenestration systems.This test method does not address the use
pocket if no latching mechanism is provided.
or performance of add-on devices or mechanical operators that
3.2.4 in-motion operating force—the force required to
might be installed to reduce operating forces of sliding
maintain a sash or panel in motion while moving the sash or
windows or doors. It deals only with the forces necessary to
panel between 1 in. from fully open to 1 in. from fully closed
open and close a sash or panel through the direct application of
positions, or 1 in. from fully closed to 1 in. from fully open
force to the operable sash or panel.
position.
1.2 This test method is suitable for laboratory product
comparisons or for qualifying products, or both, as meeting
4. Summary of Test Method
window or door operating force specifications. This test
4.1 Two equivalent test methods for determining operating
method is also suitable for use in the field to determine the
force are described. Test Method A uses dead weights and a
operating forces required to open and close installed sliding
cable and pulley system to apply force to operate a sash or
windows and doors.
panel. Test Method B uses a force gage and hand-applied
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
pressure to operate a sash or panel. The test specimen is
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
mounted in a rigid support frame. After attaching the loading
information only.
system to the operating sash or panel, the weight or force is
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
applied and increased until the sash or panel is put into motion.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
This determines breakaway force. Starting from one inch (25
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mm) from a closed or open position the minimum amount of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
weight or force required to keep a sash in motion, once it is
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
started moving, is measured. This determines the in-motion
precautionary statements, see Section 7.
operating force. Forces required to operate a sliding window or
2. Referenced Documents patio door in both opening and closing directions are deter-
mined by this test method.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
5. Significance and Use
3. Terminology 5.1 This test method determines the operational forces of
slidingwindowsanddoorsbysimulatingforceappliedbyhand
3.1 Definitions are in accordance with Terminology E 631
directly to movable sash or panels. Breakaway and in-motion
unless otherwise specified.
operating forces are measures of the ease of operation of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
fenestration products. Product specifications, building codes,
3.2.1 breakaway force—the force required to start a sash
and building specifications establish operating force limits as
(panel) in motion from a fully closed or fully open position.
measures of product performance or limits for handicapped
accessibility, or both.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on
5.2 Window and door performance standards for air infil-
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51
tration and water penetration in some cases require operating
on Component Performance of Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors.
force measurements to be made and reported as an indication
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2000. Published May 2000.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11. of the operability of the test specimen.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E2068–00
5.3 Operating forces can vary significantly from unit to unit be used to verify that the load applied is transmitted to the unit
due to factors such as installation parameters, wearing of under test when two or more sheaves are used to direct the
sliding or rolling parts, lubrication, stiffening or softening of load. (See Fig. 1.)
weather-strip, and environmental factors (for example, humid- 6.3 Test Method B—For Test Method B, a calibrated force
ity, temperature, accumulation of dirt, and so forth). Therefore, gage with an accuracy of 60.5 lbf (2.0 N) and with a peak hold
when applied to new product designs, this test method requires and continuous reading capability is required.
that units be tested in a laboratory under controlled conditions 6.4 Hardware such as hooks, cable, cord, small pulleys, and
includingaccuratemounting(plumb,square,andlevel)follow- screw-eyes are to be used as necessary to provide for attach-
ing the manufacturer’s instructions. Use of this test method in ment of the loading system to the sash or panel.
the field does not necessarily indicate the operating forces that
7. Safety Precautions
are inherent in the particular window design, but rather,
7.1 When using Test Method A, be prepared for sudden
provides a measurement of the forces required for operation of
the particular unit at the particular time. The user is cautioned movement of the sash or panel and potentially rapid dropping
of the weights. The weights are to be suspended in such a
thatinstallationdefectssuchasbowedjambs,rackedframes,or
manner that their fall will be stopped before the sash moves to
inadequate anchoring can result in binding or sticking of
movable components and increased operating forces. the full limit of its travel to reduce impact between compo-
nents. When using Test Method B, be prepared for sudden
5.4 This test method requires measurement of both break-
away and in-motion operating forces. Generally, breakaway movement of the sash or panel.
7.2 There can be considerable energy and momentum in
force is higher than in-motion operating force due to the
difference between static and dynamic friction coefficients or moving sash or panels that can cause a significant impact when
the sash or panel hits the frame or limiting stops. Care must be
the presence of weather-stripping and sash pockets, or both.
Traditional fenestration product standards have required deter- taken to avoid injury and potential breakage of the specimen.
7.3 Glass breakage will not normally occur at the forces
mination of in-motion operating force in the opening direction
only and referred to this simply as operating force. applied in these test methods; however, sudden breakaway or
motion can occur. Take precautions to prevent injury from the
5.5 This test method is intended to determine the forces
required to operate a window or sliding door which is properly moving sash.
installed and which is operated by hand application of force to
8. Test Specimen
a handle, pull bar, or sash member. Application of force
8.1 The test specimen shall consist of the entire unit as
through jerking or impact motion is not measured or evaluated
supplied by the manufacturer or as set forth in a referenced
by this test method. Operating forces can be significantly
specification if applicable. When testing a unit in the field, the
different between the opening and closing directions of move-
unit’s location and description shall be detailed in the test
ment; therefore, this test method involves measurements in
report.
both directions of movement.
5.6 This test method provides for two procedures which
9. Procedure
include a dead weight test method (Test MethodA) and a force
9.1 Mount the test specimen to the support framework in
gage test method (Test Method B) of applying and measuring
accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
forces required to operate a sliding window or sliding door.
The supporting structure shall have a strength and rigidity at
When properly applied, both test methods are deemed to
least equivalent to a nominal 2 by 4 stud wall with studs 16 in.
produce equivalent results. The dead weight test method is
(406 mm) on center and faced on one surface with nominal ⁄2
consideredtobelesslikelytobeaffectedbytheoperator’sskill
in. (12 mm) plywood.
in applying loads in a steady and properly timed manner. The
9.2 Forlaboratorytests,allowsufficienttimeforthetestunit
force gage test method is considered simpler to apply and more
to fully equilibrate to the laboratory conditions prior to testing.
applicable to field testing where the installation of pulleys and
Fully open and close the test specimen five times, fully
cabling is often impractical. Both test methods are subject to a
engaging the locks or latches on each closure.
similar uncertainty.
9.3 Identify the location of normal opening or closing force
6. Apparatus
application. This will normally be one or two handles or finger
6.1 This description of apparatus is general in nature and grip areas. For units with no clearly identified handle or grip
any arrangement of equipment capable of performing the test area use the following locations: (1) vertical sliding windows
method, within allowable tolerances, is permitted. (single or double-hung), two points spaced 18 in. (460 mm)
6.2 Test Method A—The primary equipment used in Test apart centered on either the sash top rail or bottom rail; or (2)
Method A consists of a set of weights capable of being horizontal sliding windows, one point at the vertical center of
suspended and applied in 1-lb (0.5-kg) increments, a platen, the pull bar (if present) or meeting edge vertical sash member.
lightweight flexible cable or cord, ball-bearing sheave(s), and a 9.3.1 Attach the loading system to the center of the indoor
framework capable of supporting the sheaves and cable system handleofslidingdoorassemblies.Ifnoneoftheselocationsare
in the appropriate location. Sheaves used to transmit the clearlyappropriate,thespecifyingauthorityshalldeterminethe
deadweightloadtothespecimenundertestshallbeaminimum location of force application. (See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.)
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