Method Statement for Water Leakage Test for Installed Curtain Walls

Noel Mades

4 years ago

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A Method Statement for Water Leakage Test or Water Check Test for Installed Curtain Walls is a very important document that you need to read.

In this article, you will learn how the water check or water leakage test is to be done on a completed curtain wall.

1. Title

Method Statement for Water Check or Water Leakage Test for Installed Curtain Walls

2. Purpose

The purpose of this method statement is to provide a quality assurance and diagnostic field water check or water test for installed curtain walls.

3. Scope

To evaluate the resistance to water leakage of points, gaskets, and sealant details which are designed to remain permanently close and watertight.

4. Reference Standard

This method statement is prepared based on the guidelines of the specification AAMA 501.2 – Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems”.

5. Procedure

a. Test Apparatus

A nozzle shall be connected to a hose 3/4″ diameter and shall be provided with a control valve and a pressure gauge between the and the nozzle. The control valve shall be adjusted to control the water pressure 30 to 35 Psi at the nozzle inlet.

b. Test Pressure

The water pressure to the nozzle shall be adjusted to produce 30 to 35 psi (205 to 240 Kpa).

c. Test Method Statement for Water Leakage Test

C.1 The curtain wall to be checked must be selectively wetted from the exterior starting from the lowest horizontal joint, then the intersecting vertical joints, then the next horizontal joint above, etc. and continue until the entire area is covered. The water shall be applied using the above specified hose with a nozzle.

C.2 The nozzle shall be held at a distance of 1 ft. from the location under test. Each 5ft. section of the test area shall be evaluated for a period of a 5 minutes by slowly moving the nozzle back and forth over the test section while maintaining the nozzle perpendicular to the plane of the wall.

C.3 During the test, an observer on the indoor side of the wall, using a flashlight if necessary, shall check for any water leakage and shall not where it occurs.

C.4 If no water leakage occurs during the five minutes test, the next 5 ft. of framing shall be wetted for 5 minutes, and testing continued in this manner until the entire test area is tested.

C.5 If water leakage occurs and the source of the leakage cannot be identified, the following sequence shall be followed.

C.6 Allow the curtain wall to dry completely. All the joints, gaskets, and framing within this area shall be completely and tightly covered on the outdoor side with waterproof adhesive masking tape.

C.7 At the bottom of the prepared area, the masking tape shall be removed from the lowest horizontal framing for a distance of not more than 5 ft. from one end of the frame, including the joint intersection or corner at the end. This exposed length shall be subjected to the nozzle spray.

C.8 If no water leakage occurs during the five minutes test period, this length of framing shall be considered satisfactory and shall remain uncovered. If leakage has occurred at any point, the framing shall be retaped at such points to prevent further leakage of these points during the subsequent checking of joints and framing adjacent to or above them.

C.9 The above process shall be repeated on all framing, gaskets, and joint intersections within the designated area, using increments of exposed framing length not exceeding 6ft. and always working upward on the curtain wall.

Did you use this method statement for water check or water leakage test for installed curtain walls?