ASTM E1646-95(2003)
(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
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is a standard procedure for determining the resistance to water penetration under uniform positive static air pressure differences, and simulates wind driven rain imposed on sidelaps and rain that is free to drain while building a water head as it flows. The slope of the roof is significant. These factors shall be fully considered prior to specifying the test pressure difference.
Note 1—In applying the results of tests by this method, note that the performance of a roof or its components, or both, may be a function of proper installation and adjustment. In service, the performance also depends on the rigidity of supporting construction, roof slope, and on the resistance of components to deterioration by various causes: corrosive atmosphere, aging, ice, vibration, thermal expansion and contraction, etc. It is difficult to simulate the identical complex wetting conditions that can be encountered in service, including 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 is a test procedure. It is the responsibility of the specifying agency to determine the specimen construction, size, and test pressures after considering the method’guidelines. Practical considerations suggest that every combination of panel thickness, span, and design load need not be tested in order to substantiate product performance.
Note 3—This test method shall not, by itself, be relied upon to form conclusions about overall water penetration through metal roofs. A roof contains many details. Although prescribed modifications are outside the scope of this test method, an experienced testing engineer is able to use the principles presented in this test method and generate significant data by isolating specific details and measuring leakage.
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 E 331.
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 7.1.
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Designation:E1646–95 (Reapproved 2003)
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 E1646; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
tance of exterior metal roof panel systems to water penetration E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Win-
when water is applied to the outdoor face simultaneously with dows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform
a static air pressure at the outdoor face higher than the pressure Static Air Pressure Difference
at the indoor face, that is, positive pressure.This test method is E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
a specialized adaption of Test Method E331. E1680 Test Method for Rate of Air Leakage Through
1.2 This test method is applicable to any roof area and is Exterior Metal Roof Panel Systems
intended to measure only the water penetration associated with E1592 Test Method for Structural Performance of Sheet
the field of roof including panel side laps and structural Metal Roof and Siding Systems by Uniform Static Air
connections. It does not include leakage at openings or Pressure Difference
perimeter or any other details. 2.2 Other Standard:
1.3 This test method is limited to specimens in which the AAMA 501 Methods of Test for Metal Curtain Walls
side seams and attachments are clearly visible and in which the
3. Terminology
source of leakage is readily determined. Composite systems in
which the source cannot be readily determined are outside the 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms relating to
buildingconstructionusedinthistestmethod,seeTerminology
scope of this test method.
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge E631.
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
of the principles of pressure and flow measurement.
3.2.1 specimen—the entire assembled unit submitted for
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for test as described in Section 8.
3.2.2 test pressure difference—the specified difference in
information only and may be approximate.
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and static air pressure across the assembled and fixed specimen
expressed as pounds-force per square foot (newtons per square
footnotes excluding tables and figures, which provide explana-
tory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be consid- metre (pascals)).
3.2.3 water leakage—penetration of water onto the exposed
ered as requirements of the test method.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the inside surface of the test specimen under specified conditions
of air pressure difference across the specimen during a 15-min
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- test period. Water penetration at or around end dams or side
rails is not leakage; end dams and side rails are installed to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard cause and control ponding over the panels and to support the
panels. They are not part of the roof.
statements, see 7.1.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.57 contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Performance of Metal Roof Systems. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published May 2003. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 1995 as E1646 – 95. DOI: Available from Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association (AAMA),
10.1520/E1646-95R03. 1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1646–95 (2003)
For this reason the specimen slope must be horizontal, and the overflow
4. Summary of Test Method
devices described in 8.3 are required to control ponding. Chamber run-off
4.1 This test method consists of sealing and fixing the test
that drains onto the specimen is not allowed so that the accuracy and
specimen into or against one face of a test chamber, supplying
uniformityofthemeteredflowratedescribedin 6.2.4isnotcompromised.
air to or exhausting air from the chamber at the rate required to
6.2.2 Air System—A controllable blower, compressed air
maintainthetestpressuredifferenceacrossthespecimen,while
supply, exhaust system, or reversible blower designed to
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 Thistestmethodisastandardprocedurefordetermining
6.2.3 Pressure-Measuring Apparatus—Adevice to measure
theresistancetowaterpenetrationunderuniformpositivestatic
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).
NOTE 1—In applying the results of tests by this method, note that the
6.2.4.1 The water-spray system shall have nozzles spaced
performance of a roof or its components, or both, may be a function of
on a uniform grid, located at a uniform distance approximately
proper installation and adjustment. In service, the performance also
depends on the rigidity of supporting construction, roof slope, and on the 12 in. (0.3 m) above the test specimen, and be adjustable to
resistance of components to deterioration by various causes: corrosive
provide the specified quantity of water in such a manner as to
atmosphere, aging, ice, vibration, thermal expansion and contraction, etc.
wet the test specimen uniformly and to wet those areas
It is difficult to simulate the identical complex wetting conditions that can
vulnerable to water leakage. The spray must be directed at all
be encountered in service, including large wind-blown water drops,
overlapping side seams with the stream centerline approxi-
increasing water drop impact pressures with increasing wind velocity, and
mately 20° off vertical (see Fig. 1). If additional nozzles are
lateral or upward moving air and water. Some designs are more sensitive
required to provide uniformity of water spray at the edge of the
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
specifying agency to determine the specimen construction, size, and test spray grid.
pressures after considering the method’s guidelines. Practical consider-
ations suggest that every combination of panel thickness, span, and design
7. Hazards
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
conclusions about overall water penetration through metal roofs. A roof
normally occur at the small pressure differences applied in this
contains many details. Although prescribed modifications are outside the
test. Larger or excessive pressure differences occur during
scopeofthistestmethod,anexperiencedtestingengineerisabletousethe
preload or due to error in operation or when the apparatus is
principles presented in this test method and generate significant data by
used for other purposes such as structural testing; therefore,
isolating specific details and measuring leakage.
exercise adequate precautions to protect personnel.
6. Apparatus
8. Test Specimen
6.1 The description of apparatus in this section is general in
nature, and any arrangement of equipment capable of perform-
8.1 Roof test specimens shall be of sufficient size to
ing the test procedure within the allowable tolerances is
determine the performance of all typical parts of the roof
permitted.
system. For roofs constructed with prefabricated or preformed
6.2 Major Components (see Fig. 1):
units or panels, the specimen width shall be equivalent to or
6.2.1 Test Chamber—A test chamber or box with either an
greater than the width of three typical units plus the side rail
opening, a removable mounting panel, or one open face in
supporting elements at each edge. The specimen shall contain
which or against which the specimen is installed and sealed.
at least three assembled side lap seams; this allows partial
The specimen shall be installed horizontally. Chamber design
width units. The specimen width shall be sufficient to provide
shall not allow run-off from the test chamber to drain onto the
loading on at least one typical unit (see Fig. 1). The specimen
test specimen.At least one static pressure tap shall be provided
shall be of sufficient length to develop a multispan condition
to measure the chamber pressure and shall be so located that
unless the panel is used only in single span applications. If two
the reading is unaffected by the velocity of the air supply to or
spans are used, they shall be unequal, with the shorter being
from the chamber. The air supply opening into the chamber
75 % of the longer. One panel end lap is optional but shall not
shall be arranged so that the air does not impinge directly on
be used if the test will be run in tandem with Test Method
the test specimen with any significant velocity. When required,
E1680. However, one end lap is allowed if the specifying
a means of access shall be provided into the chamber to
authority adopts the option at Test Method E1680.
facilitate adjustments and observations after the specimen has
NOTE 5—The unbalanced span criterion more closely simulates multi-
been installed.
span panel deflection curvature. This works the panel sidelap while
NOTE 4—Uniformpondingisessentialtothistestmethod—referto5.1. minimizing specimen length.
E1646–95 (2003)
FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Water Leakage Apparatus Positive Chamber System
E1646–95 (2003)
8.1.1 All parts of the roof test specimen shall be full size, Use a cover approximately 30 in. (760 mm) square to prevent
using the same materials, details, and methods of construction water from entering the calibration box before and after the
and anchorage as used on actual buildings. timed observation interval. The water impinging on each area
8.1.2 Condition of structural support shall be simulated as shall be captured separately. A spray that provides at least 20
accurately as possible. If the roof system accommodates gal/h (1.26 L/min) total for the four areas and not less than 4
thermal expansion parallel to the panel, this detail must be gal/h (0.25 L/min) nor more than 10 gal/h (0.63 L/min) in any
included in the test specimen, and the interior support must be one square shall be acceptable.
able to slide parallel to the panel or its attachment or both. 9.1.1 The water-spray system shall be calibrated at all
8.2 If insulation is an optional component of the roof
corners and, if no overlapping occurs, at the quarter and
system, it shall not be included in the test specimen. mid-points of the horizontal center line (of the spray system).
8.2.1 If only one specimen is to be tested, the specifying
Ifanumberofidentical,contiguous,modularspraysystemsare
authority determines the selection. used, only one module is required to be calibrated. The system
shall be calibrated with the catch boxes at a distance within 62
NOTE 6—It should be recognized that performance is likely to be a
in. (50 mm) of the required test specimen location relative to
function of size, geometry, and stiffness. Therefore, select specimens
the nozzle. Recalibration shall be at intervals necessary in the
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- judgment of the testing agency but not longer than 6 months.
ration should be tested (see Note 2 for related commentary).
10. Information Required
8.3 Overflow devices shall be provided to ensure that water
1 3
ponds at least ⁄2 in. (13 mm) but no more than ⁄4 in. (20 mm)
10.1 The test-pressure difference or differences at which
above the panel bottom between each major flute while the
water penetration is to be determined, unless otherwise speci-
specimen is subjected to the specified flow.
fied,shallbe2.86lbf/ft (137Pa)forroofapplicationslessthan
or equal to 30° from horizontal. Unless otherwise specified,
9. Calibration
this test-pressure shall be 20 % of the positive design wind
9.1 The ability of the test apparatus to meet the require- pressure but not less than 6.24 lbf/ft (300 Pa) for roof
ments of 6.2.4.1 shall be checked by using a catch box, the applications steeper than 30° from horizontal.The test pressure
open face of which shall be located at the position of the face
shall not exceed 12 lbf/ft (575 Pa).
ofthetestspecimen.ThecalibrationdeviceisillustratedinFig.
NOTE 7—This commentary is included to assist the specifier in the
2. The catch box shall be designed to receive only water
selection of test pressures. This test method is consistent with the default
impingingontheplaneofthetestspecimenfaceandtoexclude
test-pressure in Test Method E331 and the recommendations in AAMA
all run-off water from above.The box shall be 24 in. (610 mm)
Methods 501.Thistestmethodconsidersthatalthoughneitheristolerable,
squareanddividedintofourareaseach12in.(305mm)square. water penet
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