EN 12153:2023/prA1
(Amendment)Curtain walling - Air permeability - Test method
- Abstract
This document defines the method to be used to determine the air permeability of curtain walling, both its fixed and openable parts. It describes how the specimen shall be tested under positive and negative air pressure.
This document applies to any curtain walling product as defined in EN 13830.
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 16-Aug-2028
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 33 - Doors, windows, shutters and building hardware
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 33/WG 6 - Curtain walling
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 03-Sep-2026
- Due Date
- 06-May-2027
- Completion Date
- 03-Sep-2026
EN 12153:2023/prA1 is a CEN draft amendment to EN 12153:2023, the test method for curtain walling air permeability. It updates how curtain walling specimens are prepared and tested under positive and negative pressure, and how results are reported for fixed parts and openable parts. The amendment is intended for curtain walling products as defined in EN 13830.
What does EN 12153:2023/prA1 specify?
EN 12153:2023/prA1 specifies targeted changes to the air permeability test method for curtain walling. It keeps the same subject - measuring leakage of fixed and openable parts - but refines the terminology, symbols, test preparation, test procedure and result expression.
The document is organized as a short amendment with a European foreword, followed by 12 modification items. Those items update Clause 3 on terms and definitions, Clause 4 on symbols and abbreviations, Clause 7 on test preparation and pressure testing, and Figure 3 on the example of fixed joints and joints of openable parts.
What are the key requirements of EN 12153:2023/prA1?
EN 12153:2023/prA1 mainly changes how the specimen is identified, prepared and reported during air permeability testing. In practice, these changes matter because they tell the laboratory exactly what to seal, what to measure, and which result to calculate for each part of the curtain walling.
Clause 3 updates the terminology
Clause 3 revises openable joint length by redefining it as the joints of openable parts, including moving casement or sash joints and glazing/infill joints of openable parts. Clause 3.8 also points overall area to Figure 3 and replaces “panels” with “parts”.
For users, this means the test set-up and calculations follow the updated geometry and the updated names for the parts being tested.
Clause 4 updates the symbols and abbreviations
Clause 4 changes the symbols used for the measured airflows and calculated permeability values, including Qfc, Qtc, Qf, Qj, Qt and L0.
For a test report, this matters because the same symbols must be used consistently for airflow measured with openable joints sealed or unsealed, for permeability of fixed parts and openable parts, and for the total length of openable joints.
Clause 7 tightens specimen preparation
Clause 7.2 and Clause 7.3.1 require all joints of openable parts to be taped for the fixed-part tests, so that leakage through moving joints does not affect the fixed-part result.
In practice, the laboratory must separate fixed-part leakage from leakage through openable joints before reporting results.
Clause 7.3.4 covers openable parts
Clause 7.3.4 renames the test as the pressure test for openable parts and states that the test with unsealed openable joints should not be carried out if the openable parts have already been tested and classified according to EN 1026 and EN 12207.
This helps avoid repeated testing when suitable prior classification is already available.
Clause 7.3.5 changes how results are expressed
Clause 7.3.5 updates the result expression for fixed parts and for joints of openable parts, and it states that the results are calculated per unit area for fixed parts and per unit length for joints of openable parts.
For users, this is the key reporting step: the final values are plotted against test pressure and expressed in the form required for each type of part.
Figure 3 clarifies the specimen layout
Figure 3 and its key identify fixed joints, openable joints according to EN 12207, and the glazing/infill joints of openable parts. The figure also shows which joints are taped during the tests of the fixed joints.
That makes the test setup easier to apply consistently in the lab.
What terms does EN 12153:2023/prA1 define?
- Joints of openable parts - the moving casement or sash joints, plus the glazing/infill joints of openable parts.
- Overall area - the area used for reporting the air permeability result for the specimen.
- Fixed part - the non-moving part of the curtain walling tested as a fixed element.
- Openable part - the moving part of the curtain walling, such as a casement or sash.
- Qfc - the airflow into the test chamber measured with only the joints of openable parts sealed.
- Qtc - the airflow into the test chamber measured with the joints of openable parts unsealed.
- L0 - the total length of the joints of openable parts.
Who uses EN 12153:2023/prA1?
EN 12153:2023/prA1 is used by curtain wall manufacturers, testing laboratories, quality managers, specifiers and buyers involved in building envelopes. They use it to prepare specimens, decide which joints must be taped, run positive and negative pressure tests, and record air permeability results for fixed and openable parts.
It is also relevant to conformity assessment and technical documentation for curtain walling products.
What changed in EN 12153:2023/prA1 from the previous edition?
EN 12153:2023/prA1 modifies EN 12153:2023 by updating:
- Clause 3.7 and 3.8 terms and definitions
- Clause 4 symbols and abbreviations
- Clause 7.2 test preparation
- Clause 7.3.1 general test instructions
- Clause 7.3.2 and 7.3.3 titles for fixed parts
- Clause 7.3.4 title and procedure for openable parts
- Clause 7.3.5 expression of results
- Figure 3 key and title
Which standards are used with EN 12153:2023/prA1?
- EN 13830 - defines the curtain walling products to which the test method applies.
- EN 12207 - is used in the amended wording for openable joints and in the Figure 3 key.
- EN 1026 - is referenced for prior testing and classification of openable parts before repeating the openable-joint test.
What does the EN 12153:2023/prA1 document contain?
EN 12153:2023/prA1 contains the European foreword and a clause-by-clause amendment to EN 12153:2023. The main content is the revised wording for definitions, symbols, test preparation, fixed-part pressure tests, openable-part pressure tests, result calculation and Figure 3.
It also includes the updated figure key that distinguishes fixed joints, openable joints and glazing/infill joints of openable parts. The amendment is focused on the test method itself, so it is primarily a document for laboratory procedure, reporting and technical interpretation.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 17-Jun-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12153:2023/prA1 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Curtain walling - Air permeability - Test method". This standard covers: This document defines the method to be used to determine the air permeability of curtain walling, both its fixed and openable parts. It describes how the specimen shall be tested under positive and negative air pressure. This document applies to any curtain walling product as defined in EN 13830.
This document defines the method to be used to determine the air permeability of curtain walling, both its fixed and openable parts. It describes how the specimen shall be tested under positive and negative air pressure. This document applies to any curtain walling product as defined in EN 13830.
EN 12153:2023/prA1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.060.10 - Walls. Partitions. Facades. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12153:2023/prA1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12153:2023. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12153:2023/prA1 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2026
Obešene fasade - Prepustnost zraka - Preskusna metoda - Dopolnilo A1
Curtain walling - Air permeability - Test method
Vorhangfassaden - Luftdurchlässigkeit - Prüfverfahren
Façades rideaux - Perméabilité à l'air - Méthode d'essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12153:2023/prA1
ICS:
91.060.10 Stene. Predelne stene. Walls. Partitions. Facades
Fasade
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 12153:2023
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
September 2026
ICS 91.060.10
English Version
Curtain walling - Air permeability - Test method
Façades rideaux - Perméabilité à l'air - Méthode d'essai Vorhangfassaden - Luftdurchlässigkeit - Prüfverfahren
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 33.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 12153:2023. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12153:2023/prA1:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Modification to 3.7, openable joint length . 4
2 Modifications to 3.8, overall area . 4
3 Modifications to Clause 4, Symbols and abbreviations . 4
4 Modification to 7.2, Test preparation . 4
5 Modification to 7.3.1, General . 4
6 Modification to title of 7.3.2, Positive pressure test: fixed elements . 4
7 Modification to title of 7.3.3, Negative pressure test: fixed elements . 4
8 Modification to title of 7.3.4, Pressure test: openable elements . 5
9 Modification to 7.3.4, Pressure test: openable elements . 5
10 Modifications to 7.3.5, Expression of results . 5
11 Modification to key of Figure 3 . 6
12 Modification to title of Figure 3 . 6
European foreword
This document (EN 12153:2023/prA1:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 33
“Doors, windows, shutters, building hardware and curtain walling”, the secretariat of which is held by
AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
In comparison with EN 12153:2023, the following modification has been made:
— Clause 3, terms and definitions 3.7 “openable joint length” and 3.8 “overall area” modified;
— Clause 4 “Symbols and abbreviation” modified;
— Clause 7.2 “Test preparation” modified;
— Clause 7.3.1 “General” modified;
— Clause 7.3.2 “Positive pressure test: fixed ele
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