ASTM E1680-95
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Metal Roof Panel Systems
Standard Test Method for Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Metal Roof Panel Systems
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resistance of exterior metal roof panel systems to air infiltration resulting from either positive or negative air pressure differences. The test method described is for tests with constant temperature and humidity across the specimen. This test method is a specialized adaption of Test Method E283.
1.2 This test method is applicable to any roof area. This test method is intended to measure only the air leakage associated with the field of the roof, including the panel side laps and structural connections; it does not include leakage at the openings or perimeter or any other details.
1.3 The proper use of this test method requires knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
1.4 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 to be requirements of the test method.
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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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An American National Standard
Designation: E 1680 – 95
Standard Test Method for
Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Metal Roof Panel
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1680; 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 Roof Panel Systems by Uniform Static Air Pressure
Difference
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-
2.2 Other Standard:
tance of exterior metal roof panel systems to air infiltration
AAMA 501 Methods of Test for Metal Curtain Walls
resulting from either positive or negative air pressure differ-
ences. The test method described is for tests with constant
3. Terminology
temperature and humidity across the specimen. This test
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms relating to
method is a specialized adaption of Test Method E 283.
building construction used in this test method, see Terminology
1.2 This test method is applicable to any roof area. This test
E 631.
method is intended to measure only the air leakage associated
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
with the field of the roof, including the panel side laps and
3.2.1 air leakage (Q)—the volume of air flowing per unit of
structural connections; it does not include leakage at the
time through the assembled specimen under a test pressure
openings or perimeter or any other details.
difference, expressed in cubic feet per minute (cubic metres per
1.3 The proper use of this test method requires knowledge
second).
of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
3.2.2 extraneous air leakage (Q )—the difference between
L
1.4 The text of this test method references notes and
the metered air flow (Q ) and air leakage (Q); the leakage of
m
footnotes excluding tables and figures, which provide explana-
the remainder of the test chamber.
tory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be consid-
3.2.3 metered air flow (Q )—the volume of air flowing per
m
ered to be requirements of the test method.
unit of time through the air flow metering system, expressed in
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
cubic feet per minute (cubic metres per second).
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
3.2.4 rate of air leakage—the air leakage per unit of
information only.
specimen area (A), expressed in cubic feet per minute per
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
square foot (cubic metres per second per square metre).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.5 reference standard conditions—dry air at a pressure of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
29.92 in. Hg (101.3 kPa), temperature of 69.4°F (20.8°C), and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3 3
air density of 0.075 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m ).
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
3.2.6 specimen—the entire assembled unit submitted for
precautionary statements, see Section 7.
testing as described in Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.7 specimen area (A)—the area determined by the overall
dimensions of the test specimen expressed in square feet
2.1 ASTM Standards:
(square metres). The dimensions used to determine area shall
E 283 Test Method for Determining the Rate of Air Leakage
2 not include exterior framework.
Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors
3.2.8 test pressure difference—the specified difference in
E 631 Terminology of Building Construction
static air pressure across the fixed specimen, expressed in
E 1592 Test Method for Structural Performance of Sheet
pounds-force per square foot (pascals).
Metal Roof and Siding Systems by Uniform Static Air
Pressure Difference
4. Summary of Test Method
E 1646 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Metal
4.1 The test procedure consists of sealing and fixing a test
specimen into or against one face of an air chamber, supplying
air to or exhausting air from the chamber at the rate required to
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.57
on Performance of Metal Roofing Systems.
Current edition April 15, 1995. Published June 1995. Available from Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association (AAMA),
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11. 35 East Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1680–95
maintain the specified test pressure difference across the 6. Apparatus
specimen, and measuring the resultant air flow through the
6.1 This description of the apparatus is general in nature,
specimen.
and any arrangement of equipment capable of performing the
test procedure within the allowable tolerances is permitted.
5. Significance and Use
6.2 Major Components (see Fig. 1).
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining 6.2.1 Test Chamber—A well-sealed chamber or box with
either an opening, a removable mounting panel, or one open
air leakage characteristics under specified air pressure differ-
ences. face in which or against which the specimen is installed and
sealed. The specimen shall be installed horizontally. At least
NOTE 1—The air pressure differences acting across a building envelope
one static pressure tap shall be provided to measure the
vary greatly. The slope of the roof and other factors affecting air pressure
chamber pressure. All pressure taps shall be located so that the
differences and the implications of the resulting air leakage relative to the
, ,
4 5 6
reading is unaffected by the air supply either to or from the
environment within buildings are discussed in the literature. These
factors shall be considered fully when specifying the test pressure chamber. The air supply opening into the chamber shall be
difference to be used.
arranged so that air does not impinge directly on the test
NOTE 2— When applying the results of tests by this test method, note
specimen with any significant velocity. When required, a
that the performance of a roof or its components, or both, may be a
means of access shall be provided into the chamber to facilitate
function of proper installation and adjustment. The performance in service
adjustments and observations after the specimen has been
will also depend on the rigidity of supporting construction, the presence of
installed.
interior treatments, the roof slope, and the resistance of components to
deterioration by various causes: corrosive atmospheres, aging, ice, vibra- 6.2.2 Air System—A controllable blower, compressed air
tion, thermal expansion, and contraction, etc. It is difficult to simulate the
supply, exhaust system, or reversible blower designed to
identical complex environmental conditions that can be encountered in
provide the required air flow at the specified test pressure
service, including rapidly changing pressures due to wind gusting. Some
difference. the system shall provide constant air flow at a fixed
designs are more sensitive than others to these environmental conditions.
pressure for the period required to obtain readings of air flow
5.2 Rates of air leakage are sometimes used for comparison
and pressure difference, and it shall be capable of maintaining
purposes. The comparisons are not always valid unless the
positive and negative pressures.
components being tested and compared are of essentially the
6.2.3 Pressure Measuring Apparatus—A device for measur-
same size, configuration, and design.
ing the test pressure difference within a tolerance of 6 2%, or
6 0.01 in. (6 2.5 Pa), of water column, whichever is greater.
NOTE 3—The specimen construction discussed in 1.2 and required in
The device must measure positive and negative pressures.
8.1 isolates a source of leakage. The rate of air leakage measured during
the test method has units of cubic feet per minute per square foot (litres per 6.2.4 Air-Flow Metering System—A device to measure the
second per square metre). Openings and details such as end laps or roof
air flow within the limitations of error prescribed in 6.3. (The
curbs are excluded since leakage is measured more appropriately in cubic
publications listed in Footnotes 5 and 6 present background
feet per minute per foot (litres per second per metre) at these conditions.
information on fluid metering practices.)
The test specimen area is relatively small; the inclusion of details will give
6.3 The air flow through the test specimen shall be deter-
unrealistic import to the detail’s presence when compared to actual roof
mined with an error not greater than 6 5 % when this flow
constructions. This test method shall not be relied on singularly to form
equals or exceeds 2 ft /min (0.94 L/s) or 6 10 % when the air
conclusions about overall air leakage through metal roofs. A roof contains
3 3
many details. Although prescribed modifications are outside the scope of
flow is below 2 ft /min but more than ⁄2 ft /min (0.24 L/s).
this test method, an experienced testing engineer is able to use the
NOTE 5—A greater percentage of error will usually be acceptable at
principles presented in the test method and to generate significant data by
lower flows. Special flow-measuring techniques are necessary if higher
isolating specific details and measuring leakage.
precision is required. The accuracy of the specimen leakage flow
Additional leakage sources are introduced if details are included. If total
measurement is affected by the accuracy of the flowmeter and amount of
leakage is then measured, the results will generally be conservative
extraneous leakage of the apparatus (see Annex A1 of Test Method E 283).
relative to tests without details. To minimize the number of tests, the
specifier may allow details such as end laps when qualitative or general
7. Safety Precautions
quantitative results are desired and the isolation of sources is not required
for performance. Only one panel end lap shall be allowed. The user shall 7.1 Glass breakage and specimen failure will not normally
be aware of the bias when comparing alternate systems if end laps are
occur at the small pressure differences applied in this test
included.
procedure. Larger or excessive pressure differences occur
NOTE 4—This is a test procedure. It is the responsibility of the
during preload, due to error in operation, or when the apparatus
specifying agency to determine the specimen construction, size, and test
is used for other purposes such as structural testing; therefore
pressures after considering the test methods’ guidelines. Practical consid-
exercise adequate precautions to protect personnel.
erations suggest that every combination of panel thickness, span, and
design load need not be tested in order to substantiate product perfor-
8. Test Specimen
mance.
8.1 The roof specimen shall be of sufficient size to deter-
mine the performance of all typical parts of the roof system.
For roofs constructed with prefabricated or preformed units or
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, American Society of Heating, Refrig-
panels, the specimen width shall be equivalent to or greater
eration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 1972, Chapter 25.
than the width of three typical units plus the side rail
Fluid Meters—Their Theory and Application, 5th edition, 1959.
supporting elements at each edge. The specimen shall contain
ASME—Power Test Code, 2nd edition, 1956, Part 5, Chapter 4, “Flow
Measurements.” at least three assembled side lap seams; this allows partial
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1680–95
FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Air Leakage Apparatus
width units. The specimen width shall be sufficient to provide 8.1.2 The condition of structural support shall be simulated
loading on at least one typical unit (see Fig. 1). When partial as accurately as possible. If the roof accommodates thermal
width units are used at the specimen sides, the maximum expansion parallel to the panel length, this detail must be
portion to be used in calculating the specimen area shall be one included in the test specimen, and the interior support must be
half of the unit. The specimen shall be of sufficient length to able to slide parallel to the panel or its attachment, or both.
develop a multispan condition unless the panel is used only in
8.2 If insulation is an optional component of the roof
single-span applications. If two spans are used, they shall be
system, it shall not be included in the test specimen.
unequal, with the shorter being 75 % of the longer. Building
8.3 If only one specimen is to be tested, the selection shall
perimeter details need not and interior details, other than
be determined by the specifying authority.
typical side seams, shall not be inlcuded (see Note 3 for
NOTE 7—Air leakage is likely to be a function of size, geometry, and
commentary and exceptions). The specimen perimeter shall be
stiffness. Therefore, select specimens covering the range of sizes to be
well sealed.
used in a building. In general, the largest size and least stiff of a particular
NOTE 6—The unbalanced span criterion more closely simulates multi- design, type, construction, and configuration shall be tested (see Note 3 for
span panel deflection curvature. This works the panel sidelap while related commentary).
minimizing the specimen length.
9. Calibration
8.1.1 All parts of the roof test specimen shall be full size,
using the same materials, details, and methods of construction 9.1 Calibration shall be accomplished by mounting a ply-
and anchorage as those on actual buildings. wood or similar rigid blank to the test chamber in place of a test
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1680–95
for Metal Curtain Walls recommendations.
specimen, using the same mounting procedures as those used
7 1
Shallow roofs rarely see large positive wind pressures unless the
for standard specimens. The blank shall be ⁄8 6 ⁄8 in. (22 6
resultant pressure is caused by building openings. The Test Method E 283
3 mm)
...
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