ASTM E1680-95(2003)
(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 E 283.
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.
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Designation:E1680–95 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Metal Roof Panel
Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1680; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E1592 Test Method for Structural Performance of Sheet
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-
Metal Roof and Siding Systems by Uniform Static Air
tance of exterior metal roof panel systems to air infiltration
Pressure Difference
resulting from either positive or negative air pressure differ-
E1646 Test Method forWater Penetration of Exterior Metal
ences. The test method described is for tests with constant
Roof Panel Systems by Uniform Static Air Pressure
temperature and humidity across the specimen. This test
Difference
method is a specialized adaption of Test Method E283.
2.2 Other Standard:
1.2 This test method is applicable to any roof area.This test
AAMA 501 Methods of Test for Metal Curtain Walls
method is intended to measure only the air leakage associated
with the field of the roof, including the panel side laps and
3. Terminology
structural connections; it does not include leakage at the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms relating to
openings or perimeter or any other details.
buildingconstructionusedinthistestmethod,seeTerminology
1.3 The proper use of this test method requires knowledge
E631.
of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 The text of this test method references notes and
3.2.1 air leakage (Q)—thevolumeofairflowingperunitof
footnotes excluding tables and figures, which provide explana-
time through the assembled specimen under a test pressure
tory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be consid-
difference,expressedincubicfeetperminute(cubicmetresper
ered to be requirements of the test method.
second).
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.2.2 extraneous air leakage (Q )—the difference between
L
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
the metered air flow (Q ) and air leakage (Q); the leakage of
m
information only.
the remainder of the test chamber.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.3 metered air flow (Q )—the volume of air flowing per
m
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
unitoftimethroughtheairflowmeteringsystem, expressed in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
cubic feet per minute (cubic metres per second).
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.4 rate of air leakage—the air leakage per unit of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
specimen area (A), expressed in cubic feet per minute per
precautionary statements, see Section 7.
square foot (cubic metres per second per square metre).
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.5 reference standard conditions—dryairatapressureof
2 29.92 in. Hg (101.3 kPa), temperature of 69.4°F (20.8°C), and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3 3
air density of 0.075 lb/ft (1.2 kg/m ).
E283 Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage
3.2.6 specimen—the entire assembled unit submitted for
Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors
testing as described in Section 8.
UnderSpecifiedPressureDifferencesAcrosstheSpecimen
3.2.7 specimen area (A)—theareadeterminedbytheoverall
dimensions of the test specimen expressed in square feet
(square metres). The dimensions used to determine area shall
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
not include exterior framework.
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.57
3.2.8 test pressure difference—the specified difference in
on Performance of Metal Roofing Systems.
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published May 2003. Originally
static air pressure across the fixed specimen, expressed in
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 1995 as E1680–95. DOI:
pounds-force per square foot (pascals).
10.1520/E1680-95R03.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association (AAMA),
the ASTM website. 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.
E1680–95 (2003)
pressures after considering the test methods’ guidelines. Practical consid-
4. Summary of Test Method
erations suggest that every combination of panel thickness, span, and
4.1 The test procedure consists of sealing and fixing a test
design load need not be tested in order to substantiate product perfor-
specimen into or against one face of an air chamber, supplying
mance.
airtoorexhaustingairfromthechamberattheraterequiredto
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 Thistestmethodisastandardprocedurefordetermining
6.2.1 Test Chamber—A well-sealed chamber or box with
air leakage characteristics under specified air pressure differ-
either an opening, a removable mounting panel, or one open
ences.
face in which or against which the specimen is installed and
sealed. The specimen shall be installed horizontally. At least
NOTE 1—Theairpressuredifferencesactingacrossabuildingenvelope
one static pressure tap shall be provided to measure the
vary greatly. The slope of the roof and other factors affecting air pressure
differences and the implications of the resulting air leakage relative to the chamber pressure.All pressure taps shall be located so that the
, ,
environment within buildings are discussed in the literature. These
reading is unaffected by the air supply either to or from the
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
meansofaccessshallbeprovidedintothechambertofacilitate
functionofproperinstallationandadjustment.Theperformanceinservice
adjustments and observations after the specimen has been
willalsodependontherigidityofsupportingconstruction,thepresenceof
interior treatments, the roof slope, and the resistance of components to
installed.
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 MeasuringApparatus—Adeviceformeasur-
same size, configuration, and design.
ing the test pressure difference within a tolerance of 62%,or
NOTE 3—The specimen construction discussed in 1.2 and required in 6 0.01 in. (6 2.5 Pa), of water column, whichever is greater.
8.1 isolates a source of leakage. The rate of air leakage measured during
The device must measure positive and negative pressures.
thetestmethodhasunitsofcubicfeetperminutepersquarefoot(litresper
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.)
Thetestspecimenareaisrelativelysmall;theinclusionofdetailswillgive
6.3 The air flow through the test specimen shall be deter-
unrealistic import to the detail’s presence when compared to actual roof
constructions. This test method shall not be relied on singularly to form mined with an error not greater than 6 5% when this flow
conclusions about overall air leakage through metal roofs.Aroof contains
equals or exceeds 2 ft /min (0.94 L/s) or 6 10% when the air
3 3
many details.Although prescribed modifications are outside the scope of 1
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
Additionalleakagesourcesareintroducedifdetailsareincluded.Iftotal
measurement is affected by the accuracy of the flowmeter and amount of
leakage is then measured, the results will generally be conservative
extraneousleakageoftheapparatus(seeAnnexA1ofTestMethodE283).
relative to tests without details. To minimize the number of tests, the
specifier may allow details such as end laps when qualitative or general
quantitative results are desired and the isolation of sources is not required 7. Safety Precautions
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
duringpreload,duetoerrorinoperation,orwhentheapparatus
specifying agency to determine the specimen construction, size, and test
is used for other purposes such as structural testing; therefore
exercise adequate precautions to protect personnel.
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, American Society of Heating, Refrig-
eration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 1972, Chapter 25.
8. Test Specimen
Fluid Meters—Their Theory and Application, 5th edition, 1959.
8.1 The roof specimen shall be of sufficient size to deter-
ASME—Power Test Code, 2nd edition, 1956, Part 5, Chapter 4, “Flow
Measurements.” mine the performance of all typical parts of the roof system.
E1680–95 (2003)
FIG. 1 General Arrangement of Air Leakage Apparatus
NOTE 6—The unbalanced span criterion more closely simulates multi-
For roofs constructed with prefabricated or preformed units or
span panel deflection curvature. This works the panel sidelap while
panels, the specimen width shall be equivalent to or greater
minimizing the specimen length.
than the width of three typical units plus the side rail
supporting elements at each edge. The specimen shall contain
8.1.1 All parts of the roof test specimen shall be full size,
at least three assembled side lap seams; this allows partial
using the same materials, details, and methods of construction
width units. The specimen width shall be sufficient to provide
and anchorage as those on actual buildings.
loading on at least one typical unit (see Fig. 1). When partial
8.1.2 The condition of structural support shall be simulated
width units are used at the specimen sides, the maximum
as accurately as possible. If the roof accommodates thermal
portiontobeusedincalculatingthespecimenareashallbeone
expansion parallel to the panel length, this detail must be
half of the unit. The specimen shall be of sufficient length to
included in the test specimen, and the interior support must be
develop a multispan condition unless the panel is used only in
able to slide parallel to the panel or its attachment, or both.
single-span applications. If two spans are used, they shall be
8.2 If insulation is an optional component of the roof
unequal, with the shorter being 75% of the longer. Building
system, it shall not be included in the test specimen.
perimeter details need not and interior details, other than
8.3 If only one specimen is to be tested, the selection shall
typical side seams, shall not be inlcuded (see Note 3 for
be determined by the specifying authority.
commentary and exceptions).The specimen perimeter shall be
well sealed. NOTE 7—Air leakage is likely to be a function of size, geometry, and
E1680–95 (2003)
stiffness. Therefore, select specimens covering the range of sizes to be
be−1.57 lbf/ft (−75 Pa). Unless otherwise specified, test-
used in a building. In general, the largest size and least stiff of a particular
pressure differences shall be both+and−1.57 lbf/ft for roof
design,type,construction,andconfigurationshallbetested(seeNote3for
applications steeper then 30° from horizontal.
related commentary).
NOTE 10—This commentary is included to assist the specifier in the
9. Calibration
selection of test pressures. This test method is consistent with the Test
9.1 Calibration shall be accomplished by mounting a ply- Method E283 default test pressure and the AAMA501 Methods of Test
for Metal Curtain Walls recommendations.
woodorsimilarrigidblanktothetestchamberinplaceofatest
Shallow roofs rarely see large positive wind pressures unless the
specimen, using the same mounting procedures as those used
resultant pressure is caused by building openings. The Test Method E283
7 1
for standard specimens. The blank sha
...
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