EN 12152:2023

Curtain walling - Air permeability - Performance requirements and classification

This document specifies requirements and classification of air permeability of both fixed and openable parts of curtain walling, under positive and negative static air pressure.
This document applies to curtain walling as specified in EN 13830.
NOTE   This version of EN 12152:2023 will supersede EN 12152:2002. Existing test results according to EN 12152:2002 could be considered still valid compared with this version of EN 12152.

Vorhangfassaden - Luftdurchlässigkeit - Leistungsanforderungen und Klassifizierung

Dieses Dokument legt Anforderungen an die Luftdurchlässigkeit und an die Klassifizierung von feststehenden und zu öffnenden Teilen von Vorhangfassaden fest, die unter positivem und negativem statischem Luftdruck stehen.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für Vorhangfassadenelemente nach EN 13830.
ANMERKUNG   Diese Version EN 12152:2023 ersetzt EN 12152:2002. Vorhandene Prüfergebnisse nach EN 12152:2002 könnten im Vergleich mit dieser Version von EN 12152 noch als gültig betrachtet werden.

Façades rideaux - Perméabilité à l'air - Exigences de performance et classification

Le présent document spécifie les exigences et la classification de la perméabilité à l’air des parties tant fixes qu’ouvrantes d’une façade rideau soumise à une pression d’air statique positive et négative.
Le présent document s’applique aux façades rideaux telles que spécifiées dans l’EN 13830.
NOTE   Cette version EN 12152:2023 remplace l’EN 12152:2002. Les résultats des tests existants selon l'EN 12152:2002 pourrait être considérée comme toujours valable par rapport à cette version de l'EN 12152.

Obešene fasade - Prepustnost zraka - Zahteve in klasifikacija

Ta dokument določa zahteve in klasifikacijo za prepustnost zraka tako fiksnih kot premičnih delov obešenih fasad pod pozitivnim in negativnim statističnim zračnim tlakom.
OPOMBA:   Ta dokument se uporablja za obešene fasade, kot je določeno v standardu EN 13830.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Jul-2023
• ICS: 91.060.10 - Walls. Partitions. Facades
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 33 - Doors, windows, shutters and building hardware
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 33/WG 6 - Curtain walling
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 26-Jul-2023
• Due Date: 15-Jun-2023
• Completion Date: 26-Jul-2023
• Directive: 305/2011 - Regulation (eu) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 march 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing council directive 89/106/eec
• Ref Project: SIST EN 12152:2023 - Curtain walling - Air permeability - Performance requirements and classification

Relations

• Replaces: EN 12152:2002 - Curtain walling - Air permeability - Performance requirements and classification
• Effective Date: 14-Apr-2021

Overview

EN 12152:2023 is the European standard specifying performance requirements and classification for air permeability of curtain walling systems, including both fixed and openable parts. Developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), this standard replaces EN 12152:2002 and aligns with the product standard EN 13830 for curtain walling.

The document defines how curtain walls should perform under positive and negative static air pressure, reflecting real-world wind load conditions. It establishes precise classification criteria and test methods to evaluate air leakage, ensuring durability, energy efficiency, and indoor comfort in building envelopes.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  EN 12152:2023 applies to curtain wall systems as defined in EN 13830, covering both fixed panels and openable elements such as integrated windows.

• Air Permeability Definitions
  The standard defines air permeability as the rate of air passage through curtain walls under differential air pressure, expressed in cubic meters per hour per square meter (m³/m²·h) or per meter of joint length (m³/m·h).

• Pressure Conditions
  It specifies test conditions under both positive pressure (outer face pressure higher than inner face) and negative pressure (outer face pressure lower than inner face), simulating wind forces on building façades.

• Performance Requirements
  Air permeability limits are set relative to overall curtain wall area or fixed joint lengths, accounting for structural design and typical environmental pressures. Requirements ensure minimal air leakage to reduce energy loss and improve façade integrity.

• Classification System
  Five air permeability classes (A1 to AE) are used to categorize products, indicating their performance under varying test pressures. The AE class is reserved for exceptional performance at pressures above 600 Pa.

• Test Methods
  Testing follows EN 12153 procedures, involving airflow measurements at positive and negative pressures. The sequence of tests follows EN 13830 guidelines for curtain wall evaluation.

• Symbols & Terminology
  Standardized terms and symbols ensure consistency in testing and reporting, supporting clear communication across manufacturers, testers, and regulatory bodies.

Applications

• Architectural Façade Design
  Enables architects to select curtain wall systems with verified air permeability performance, enhancing building envelope airtightness and occupant comfort.

• Building Energy Efficiency
  Helps reduce uncontrolled air leakage, lowering heating and cooling loads, contributing to compliance with energy codes and green building certifications.

• Quality Assurance & Product Certification
  Manufacturers use EN 12152:2023 to classify and report air permeability results, assuring clients and authorities of product performance.

• Regulatory Compliance
  Provides a standardized basis for national and regional building regulations related to façade airtightness and durability.

• Retrofit and Renovation Projects
  Supports performance assessment of existing curtain wall systems and selection of replacement products with improved air tightness.

Related Standards

• EN 13830: Curtain walling - Product Standard
  Defines general specifications and requirements for curtain wall systems, providing the broader framework within which EN 12152 operates.

• EN 12153: Curtain walling - Air permeability - Test method
  Details the laboratory methods used to measure air permeability, which are referenced in EN 12152.

• EN 12207: Windows and doors - Air permeability - Classification
  Specifies air permeability classes and testing for openable elements, referenced for openable curtain wall components.

• EN 1991-1-4: Eurocode 1 - Actions on structures: Wind actions
  Provides guidance on design wind loads, which are related to the air pressure values used for curtain wall testing.

• EN 13119: Curtain walling - Terminology
  Offers standardized terminology ensuring clarity in communication within the curtain walling industry.

• EN 1026: Windows and doors - Air permeability - Test method
  Related test procedure for windows and doors, aligned with curtain wall testing methods for openable units.

---

EN 12152:2023 is essential for building professionals focused on curtain wall air permeability performance, airtightness classification, and reliable testing methods. Implementing this standard supports energy-efficient, high-performance building façades that meet stringent European construction requirements.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2023
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 12152:2002
Obešene fasade - Prepustnost zraka - Zahteve in klasifikacija
Curtain walling - Air permeability - Performance requirements and classification
Vorhangfassaden - Luftdurchlässigkeit - Leistungsanforderungen und Klassifizierung
Façades rideaux - Perméabilité à l'air - Exigences de performance et classification
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12152:2023
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.

EN 12152
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 91.060.10 Supersedes EN 12152:2002
English Version
Curtain walling - Air permeability - Performance
requirements and classification
Façades rideaux - Perméabilité à l'air - Exigences de Vorhangfassaden - Luftdurchlässigkeit -
performance et classification Leistungsanforderungen und Klassifizierung
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 5 June 2023.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists 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.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12152:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 5
5 Requirements . 5
6 Test methods . 6
7 Classification . 6
Bibliography . 12

European foreword
This document (EN 12152:2023) 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 European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2024, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 12152:2002.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are listed below:
— modified the class "AE": added the declaration of the maximum test pressure;
— added a new classification of air permeability at negative pressure;
— added new symbols for the classification based on fixed joint length;
— editorial modifications to definitions, in order to make them compliant with the definitions of
EN 12153.
This document is part of a series of European Standards dedicated to curtain walling products and derives
from performance requirements.
This document forms part of a series of curtain walling standards as specified in the Product Standard
EN 13830.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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 the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements and classification of air permeability of both fixed and openable
parts of curtain walling, under positive and negative static air pressure.
This document applies to curtain walling as specified in EN 13830.
NOTE This version EN 12152:2023 supersedes EN 12152:2002. Existing test results according to
EN 12152:2002 could be considered still valid compared with this version of EN 12152.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12153, Curtain walling - Air permeability - Test method
EN 12207, Windows and doors - Air permeability - Classification
EN 13119, Curtain walling - Terminology
EN 13830, Curtain walling - Product standard
EN 1991-1-4, Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-4: General actions - Wind actions
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 13119 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
test pressure
differential air pressure between the two faces of the test specimen, expressed in pascal (Pa)
3.2
positive pressure
when the outer face is subjected to higher air pressure than the inner face
3.3
negative pressure
when the outer face is subjected to lower air pressure than the inner face
3.4
air permeability
passage of air through the construction of the curtain walling when subjected to air pressure
Note 1 to entry: The volume being expressed as a rate in cubic metres per hour (m / h), this rate being related
to the overall area of the curtain walling. Alternatively, the rate can be related to the metre length of joint.
3.5
fixed joint
all joints except those between openable parts of the curtain wall (see Figure 3)
3.6
fixed joint length
sum of the length of all fixed joints within the curtain walling measured along the line of the air
seal/barrier
Note 1 to entry: Where a window is included within the curtain walling, the length of the perimeter joint shall be
included in the calculation (see Figur
...