ASTM E2128-12
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide is intended to provide building professionals with a comprehensive methodology for evaluating water leakage through walls. It addresses the performance expectations and service history of a wall, the various components of a wall, and the interaction between these components and adjacent construction. It is not intended as a construction quality control procedure, nor as a preconstruction qualification procedure. It is intended for evaluating buildings that exhibit water leakage.
Qualifications—This guide requires the evaluator to possess a knowledge of basic physics and of construction and wall design principles and practices.
Application—The sequential activities described herein are intended to produce a complete and comprehensive evaluation program, but all activities may not be applicable or necessary for a particular evaluation program. It is the responsibility of the professional using this guide to determine the activities and sequence necessary to properly perform an appropriate leakage evaluation for a specific building.
Preliminary Assessment—A preliminary assessment may indicate that water leakage problems are limited to a specific element or portion of a wall. The preliminary assessment may also indicate that the wall is not the source of a leak even though it is perceived as such by the building occupant. The presence of water might result from a roofing problem, a condensation problem, a plumbing problem, operable windows or doors left opened or unlatched or some other condition not directly related to water leakage through the building wall and is outside the scope of this guide. The evaluation of causes may likewise be limited in scope, and the procedures recommended herein abridged according to the professional judgement of the evaluator. A statement stipulating the limits of the investigation should be included in the report.
Expectations—Expectations about the overall effectiveness of an evaluation program must be reasonable and...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and evaluating causes of water leakage of exterior walls. For this purpose, water penetration is considered leakage, and therefore problematic, if it exceeds the planned resistance or temporary retention and drainage capacity of the wall, is causing or is likely to cause premature deterioration of a building or its contents, or is adversely affecting the performance of other components. A wall is considered a system including its exterior and interior finishes, fenestration, structural components, and components for maintaining the building interior environment.
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive, disruptive, or destructive. It is the responsibility of the investigator to establish the limitations of use, to anticipate and advise of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to plan for patching and selective reconstruction as necessary.
1.3 This practice does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Awareness of safety and familiarity with safe procedures are particularly important for above-ground operations on the exterior of a building and destructive investigative procedures which typically are associated with the work described in this guide.
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2128 − 12
Standard Guide for
1
Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2128; 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.
1. Scope Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uni-
form Static Air Pressure Difference
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and
E547 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior
evaluating causes of water leakage of exterior walls. For this
Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic
purpose, water penetration is considered leakage, and therefore
Static Air Pressure Difference
problematic, if it exceeds the planned resistance or temporary
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
retention and drainage capacity of the wall, is causing or is
E860 Practice for ExaminingAnd Preparing Items ThatAre
likely to cause premature deterioration of a building or its
Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation
contents, or is adversely affecting the performance of other
E1105 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Pen-
components. A wall is considered a system including its
etration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors,
exterior and interior finishes, fenestration, structural
and Curtain Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air
components, and components for maintaining the building
Pressure Difference
interior environment.
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive,
tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
3
disruptive, or destructive. It is the responsibility of the inves-
2.2 AAMA Standards:
tigator to establish the limitations of use, to anticipate and
AAMA 501.2 Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water
advise of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to
Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain
plan for patching and selective reconstruction as necessary.
Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems
1.3 This practice does not purport to address all of the
AAMA 511 Voluntary Guideline for Forensic Water Pen-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish etration Testing of Fenestration Products,Article 4.2.1.3.1
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
Optional Sill Dam Test (This test method previously
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Awareness appeared in AAMA 502.)
of safety and familiarity with safe procedures are particularly
3. Terminology
important for above-ground operations on the exterior of a
3.1 Defintions—Refer to Terminology E631.
building and destructive investigative procedures which typi-
cally are associated with the work described in this guide.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 incidental water—unplanned water infiltration that
2. Referenced Documents
penetrates beyond the primary barrier and the flashing or
2
secondary barrier system, of such limited volume that it can
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C1601 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Pen- escape or evaporate without causing adverse consequences.
etration of Masonry Wall Surfaces
3.2.2 water absorption—a process in which a material takes
C1715 Test Method for Evaluation of Water Leakage Per-
in water through its pores and interstices and retains it wholly
formance of Masonry Wall Drainage Systems
without transmission.
E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior
3.2.3 water infiltration—a process in which water passes
through a material or between materials in a system and
reaches a space that is not directly or intentionally exposed to
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance
the water source.
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 on Exterior
3.2.4 waterleakage—waterthatisuncontrolled;exceedsthe
Building Wall Systems.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2012. Published January 2012. Originally
resistance, retention, or discharge capacity of the system; or
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2128 – 01a (2009).
causes subsequent damage or premature deterioration.
DOI: 10.1520/E2128-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA),
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4268, http://
the ASTM website. www.aamanet.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E2128–01a(Reapproved2009) Designation: E2128 – 12
Standard Guide for
1
Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2128; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and evaluating causes of water leakage of exterior walls. For this purpose,
water penetration is considered leakage, and therefore problematic, if it exceeds the planned resistance or temporary retention and
drainage capacity of the wall, is causing or is likely to cause premature deterioration of a building or its contents, or is adversely
affecting the performance of other components. A wall is considered a system including its exterior and interior finishes,
fenestration, structural components, and components for maintaining the building interior environment.
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive, disruptive, or destructive. It is the responsibility of the investigator to
establish the limitations of use, to anticipate and advise of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to plan for patching and
selective reconstruction as necessary.
1.3 This practice does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish appropriate
safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Awareness of safety and
familiarity with safe procedures are particularly important for above-ground operations on the exterior of a building and
destructive investigative procedures which typically are associated with the work described in this guide.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C1601 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Masonry Wall Surfaces
C1715 Test Method for Evaluation of Water Leakage Performance of Masonry Wall Drainage Systems
E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air
Pressure Difference E514Test Method for Water Penetration and Leakage Through Masonry
E547 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic Static Air
Pressure Difference
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E860 Practice for Examining And Preparing Items That Are Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation
E1105 Test Method for Field Determination ofWater Penetration of Installed ExteriorWindows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain
Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of
Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
3
2.2 AAMA Standards:
AAMA 501.2Field Check of Metal Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems for Water Leakage
AAMA 502Specification for Field Testing of Windows and Sliding Doors
AAMA503Specification for FieldTesting of Metal Storefronts, CurtainWalls, and Sloped Glazing Systems QualityAssurance
and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems
AAMA 511 VoluntaryGuidelineforForensicWaterPenetrationTestingofFenestrationProducts,Article4.2.1.3.1OptionalSill
Dam Test (This test method previously appeared in AAMA 502.)
3. Terminology
3.1 Defintions—Refer to Terminology E631.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 on Exterior Building
Wall Systems.
Current edition approved Nov.Jan. 1, 2009.2012. Published January 2010.2012. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20012009 as
E2128 – 01a (2009). DOI: 10.1520/E2128-01AR09.10.1520/E2128-12.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), 1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4268, http://
www.aamanet.org.
Copyright © ASTM
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.