ASTM E283-91(1999)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining the Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen
Standard Test Method for Determining the Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides a standard laboratory procedure for determining the air leakage rates of exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors under specified differential pressure conditions across the specimen. The test method described is for tests with constant temperature and humidity across the specimen.
1.2 This laboratory procedure is applicable to exterior windows, curtain walls, and doors and is intended to measure only such leakage associated with the assembly and not the installation. The test method can be adapted for the latter purpose. Note 1-Performing tests at non-ambient conditions or with a temperature differential across the specimen may affect the air leakage rate. This is not addressed by this test method.
1.3 This test method is intended for laboratory use. Persons interested in performing field air leakage tests on installed units should reference Method E783.
1.4 Persons using this procedure should be knowledgeable in the areas of fluid mechanics, instrumentation practices, and shall have a general understanding of fenestration products and components.
1.5 Throughout this test method, SI units are listed first in accordance with E-6 metric policy, and shall be considered the primary units. Non-SI units are provided in parenthesis.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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 statement see Section 7.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
An American National Standard
Designation: E 283 – 91 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows,
Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified Pressure
Differences Across the Specimen
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E283; 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 (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E783 Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage
Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors
1.1 This test method provides a standard laboratory proce-
dure for determining the air leakage rates of exterior windows,
3. Terminology
curtain walls, and doors under specified differential pressure
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this standard are defined in
conditions across the specimen. The test method described is
Terminology E631E631.
for tests with constant temperature and humidity across the
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
specimen.
3 2 3 2
3.2.1 air leakage rate (q or q ), m /s·m (ft /min·ft ), or
A L
1.2 This laboratory procedure is applicable to exterior
3 3
m /s·m (ft /min·ft)—the air leakage per unit of specimen area
windows, curtain walls, and doors and is intended to measure
(A) or per unit length of operable crack perimeter (L).
only such leakage associated with the assembly and not the
3 3
3.2.2 extraneous air leakage (Q ), m /s (ft /min)—the vol-
e
installation. The test method can be adapted for the latter
ume of air flowing per unit of time through the test chamber
purpose.
and test apparatus, exclusive of the air flowing through the test
NOTE 1—Performing tests at non-ambient conditions or with a tem-
specimen, under a test pressure difference and test temperature
perature differential across the specimen may affect the air leakage rate.
difference, converted to standard conditions.
This is not addressed by this test method.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Extraneous leakage is the sum of all
1.3 This test method is intended for laboratory use. Persons
leakage other than that intended to be measured by the test.
interestedinperformingfieldairleakagetestsoninstalledunits
3.2.3 specimen—the entire assembled unit submitted for
should reference Method E783E783.
test as described in Section 7.
3 3
1.4 Persons using this procedure should be knowledgeable
3.2.4 specimen air leakage (Q ), m /s (ft /min)—the vol-
s
in the areas of fluid mechanics, instrumentation practices, and
umeofairflowingperunitoftimethroughthespecimenunder
shallhaveageneralunderstandingoffenestrationproductsand
a test pressure difference and test temperature difference,
components.
converted to standard conditions.
2 2
1.5 Throughout this test method, SI units are listed first in
3.2.5 specimen area (A), m (ft )—the area determined by
accordance with E-6 metric policy, and shall be considered the
the overall dimensions of the frame that fits into the rough
primary units. Non-SI units are provided in parenthesis.
opening.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.6 standard test conditions—in this test method, dry air
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
at:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Pressure—101.3 kPa (29.92 in. Hg)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Temperature—20.8°C (69.4°F)
3 3
Air Density—1.202 kg/m (0.075 lbm/ft )
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
statement see Section 7.
3.2.7 test pressure differences, Pa (lbf/ft )—the specified
differential static air pressure across the specimen.
2. Referenced Documents
3 3
3.2.8 total air flow (Q), m /s (ft /min)—the volume of air
t
2.1 ASTM Standards:
flowing per unit of time through the test chamber and test
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
apparatus, inclusive of the air flowing through the test speci-
men, under a test pressure difference and test temperature
1 difference, converted to standard conditions.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on
3.2.9 unit length of operable crack perimeter (L), m (ft)—
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51
on Component Performance of Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors.
thesumofallperimetersofoperableventilators,sash,ordoors
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1991. Published October 1991. Originally
containedinthetestspecimen,basedontheoveralldimensions
published as E283–65T. Last previous edition E283–84.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E 283 – 91 (1999)
FIG. 1 General Arrangement of the Air Leakage Apparatus
of such parts. Where two such operable parts meet the two ber shall be capable of withstanding the differential test
adjacent lengths of perimeter shall be counted as only one pressures that may be encountered in this procedure. At least
length. one static air pressure tap shall be provided on each side of the
specimentomeasurethetestpressuredifferences.Thepressure
4. Summary of Test Method
tapshallbelocatedinanareaofthechamberinwhichpressure
readings will not be affected by any supply air. The air supply
4.1 The test consists of sealing a test specimen into or
against one face of an air chamber, supplying air to or opening to the chamber shall be located in an area in which it
does not directly impinge upon the test specimen.
exhausting air from the chamber at the rate required to
maintain the specified test pressure difference across the 6.2.1 Supply Air System—A controllable blower, exhaust
fan, or reversible blower designed to provide the required air
specimen, and measuring the resultant air flow through the
specimen. flowatthespecifiedtestpressuredifference.Thesystemshould
provide essentially constant air flow at the specified test
5. Significance and Use
pressure difference for a time period sufficient to obtain
readings of air flow.
5.1 Thistestmethodisastandardprocedurefordetermining
6.2.2 Pressure Measuring Apparatus—Adevice to measure
the air leakage characteristics under specified air pressure
the differential test pressures to 6 2% of setpoint or 6 2.5 Pa
differences at ambient conditions.
(6 0.01 in. of water column), whichever is greater.
NOTE 2—Theairpressuredifferencesactingacrossabuildingenvelope
6.2.3 Air Flow Metering System—A device to measure the
vary greatly. The factors affecting air pressure differences and the
airflowintothetestchamberorthroughthetestspecimen.The
implicationsortheresultingairleakagerelativetotheenvironmentwithin
3,4 ,5
air flow measurement error shall not exceed 6 5% when the
buildings are discussed in the literature. These factors should be fully
−4 3 3
considered in specifying the test pressure differences to be used. air flow equals or exceeds 9.44 310 m /s (2 ft /min) or 6
−4 3 3
10%whentheairflowislessthan9.44 310m /s(ft /min).
5.2 Rates of air leakage are sometimes used for comparison
purposes. Such comparisons may not be valid unless the
NOTE 3—At lower flows a greater percentage of errors will be accept-
components being tested and compared are of essentially the able. If higher precision is required, special flow metering techniques are
necessary. The accuracy of the specimen air leakage flow measurement is
same size, configuration, and design.
affectedbytheaccuracyoftheflowmeterandtheamountofextraneousair
leakage. (See Annex A1.)
6. Apparatus
6.1 The description of the apparatus in this section is
7. Hazards
general in nature. Any suitable arrangement of equipment
7.1 Precaution—Glass breakage may occur at the test
capableofmaintainingtherequiredtesttolerancesispermitted.
pressure differences applied in this test. Adequate precautions
6.2 Test Chamber—Awell sealed box, wall, or other appa-
should be taken to protect personnel.
ratus into or against which the specimen is mounted and
secured for testing.An air supply shall be provided to allow a
8. Test Specimen
positive or negative pressure differential to be applied across
8.1 Thetestspecimenforawallshallbeofsufficientsizeto
the specimen without significant extraneous losses. The cham-
determine the performance of all typical parts of the wall
system. For curtain walls or walls constructed with prefabri-
3 cated units, the specimen width shall be not less than two
Available from American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-
typical units plus the connections and supporting elements at
Conditioning Engineers, 1791 Tullie Circle N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329. ASHRAE
Handbook of Fundamentals, 1989.
both sides, and sufficient to provide full loading on at least one
Fluid Meters—Their Theory and Application, 5th Edition, 1959.
typical vertical joint or framing member, or both. The height
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 E. 47th St.,
shallbenotlessthanthefullbuildingstoryheightortheheight
NewYork,NY10017.PowerTestCode,2ndEdition,1956,Part5,Chapter4,“Flow
Measurements.” of the unit, whichever is greater, and shall include at least on
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E 283 – 91 (1999)
full horizontal joint, accommodating vertical expansion, such 11.3 To ensure proper alignment and weather seal compres-
jointbeingatornearthebottomofthespecimen,aswellasall sion, fully open, close, and lock each ventilator, sash, or door
connections at top and bottom of the units. five times prior to testing.
8.1.1 All parts of the wall test specimen shall be full size 11.4 Adjust the air flow through the test chamber to provide
using the same materials, details, and methods of construction
the specified test pressure difference across the test specimen.
and anchorage as used on the actual building. When the test conditions are stabilized, record the air flow
8.1.2 Conditions of structural supp
...
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