ASTM E2268-04(2023)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2268 − 04 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, and
Doors by Rapid Pulsed Air Pressure Difference
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2268; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standard:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the resis-
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
tance of exterior windows, skylights, and doors to water
penetration when water is applied to the outdoor face and 2.2 AAMA Standard:
exposed edges simultaneously with a rapid pulsed air pressure AAMA 501.1-94 Standard Test Method for Exterior
Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors for Water Penetration
at the outdoor face higher than the pressure at the indoor face.
Using Dynamic Pressure
1.2 This test method is applicable to windows, skylights, or
doors alone. Those interested in testing curtain walls to rapid
3. Terminology
pulsed air pressure differences should use AAMA 501.1-94.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms relating to
1.3 This test method addresses water penetration through a
building construction used in this test method, see Terminology
manufactured assembly. Water that penetrates the assembly,
E631.
but does not result in a failure as defined herein, may have
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
adverse effects on the performance of contained materials such
3.2.1 pulsed, v—subjected to a transition from one level of
as sealants and insulating or laminated glass. This test method
differential air pressure to another and back within a prescribed
does not address these issues.
time period.
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge
3.2.2 pulse generator, n—test apparatus capable of produc-
of the principles of pressure measurement. ing rapid changes of air pressure between two prescribed levels
within a specified time period (see Fig. 3).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.3 specimen, n—the entire assembled unit submitted for
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
test as described in Section 8.
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
3.2.4 test pressure difference, n—the specified difference in
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
dynamic air pressure across the closed and locked or fixed
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specimen expressed as Pascals (lbf/ft ).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.5 water penetration, n—penetration of water beyond a
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
plane parallel to the glazing intersecting the innermost projec-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion of the test specimen, not including interior trim and
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
hardware, under the specified conditions of air pressure differ-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ence across the specimen. For products with non-planar glaz-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ing surfaces (domes, vaults, pyramids, and so forth) the plane
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
defining water penetration is the plane defined by the innermost
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
edges of the unit frame.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
on Performance of Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally Available from Fenestration Glazing & Industry Alliance (formerly American
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E2268 – 04 (2016). Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA)), 1900 E. Golf Rd., Suite 1250,
DOI: 10.1520/E2268-04R23. Schaumburg, IL 60173, https://www.fgiaonline.org/.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2268 − 04 (2023)
4. Summary of Test Method least one dynamic pressure tap shall be provided to measure the
oscillating chamber pressure, and shall be so located that the
4.1 This test method consists of sealing the test specimen
reading is unaffected by the velocity of the air supply to or
into or against one face of a test chamber and supplying air to
from the chamber. The air supply opening into the chamber
or exhausting air from the chamber at a rapid cyclic rate across
shall be arranged so that the air does not impinge directly on
the specimen for the time specified, while spraying water onto
the test specimen with any significant velocity. A means of
the outdoor face of the specimen at the required rate and
access into the chamber may be provided to facilitate adjust-
observing any water penetration.
ments and observations after the specimen has been installed.
6.2.2 Air System—A controllable blower, compressed air
5. Significance and Use
supply, exhaust system, or reversible blower designed to
5.1 This test method is a standard procedure for determining
provide the required maximum air pressure difference across
the resistance to water penetration during rapid cyclic pulses of
the specimen. The system must provide fully reversible airflow
dynamic air pressure differences. The air-pressure differences
at rapidly oscillating pressures for the required test period.
acting across a building envelope vary greatly. These factors
6.2.3 Pressure Measuring Apparatus—A device to measure
should be fully considered prior to specifying the test pressure
the test pressure difference within a tolerance of 62 % or
difference to be used.
65 Pa (60.02 in. of water column), whichever is greater.
5.2 The median test pressure used in this test method is
6.2.4 Water Spray System—The water-spray system shall
defined as the specified test pressure supplied by the user and
deliver water uniformly against the exterior surface of the test
related to the maximum positive building design pressure. This
specimen at a minimum rate of 3.4 L/(m ·min) [5.0 U.S.
test method departs from the format of other ASTM water
gal/(ft ·h)].
penetration resistance test methods based on a maximum test
6.2.4.1 The water-spray system shall have nozzles spaced
pressure related to a maximum positive building design pres-
on a uniform grid, located at a uniform distance from the test
sure.
specimen, and shall be adjustable to provide the specified
quantity of water in such a manner as to wet all of the test
5.3 As the specified or median test pressure is increased, the
specimen uniformly and to wet those areas vulnerable to water
maximum test pressure in this procedure is also increased to
penetration. If additional nozzles are required to provide
1.5 times the specification median test pressure. This higher
uniformity of water spray at the edge of the test specimen, they
maximum test pressure may not be representative of actual
shall be equally spaced around the entire spray grid.
building service conditions. For this reason the maximum
recommended median test pressure is 480 Pa (10 psf), which
7. Hazards
corresponds to a maximum test pressure of 720 Pa (15 psf).
7.1 Warning—Glass breakage will not normally occur at
5.4 The pulsed pressure of this test method may act to pump
the small pressure differences applied in this test. Excessive
water past dry seals and breather systems of units incorporating
pressure differences may occur, however, due to error in
these features, thereby making the test method more severe
operation or when the apparatus is used for other purposes such
than a static pressure test method. On the other hand, the low
as structural testing; therefore, exercise adequate precautions to
pressure portions of the pressure cycles of this test method may
protect personnel.
allow weep systems and drainage dams to dissipate water from
units incorporating these features, thereby making the test
8. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
method less severe than a static pressure test method.
NOTE 1—In applying the results of tests by this test method, note that
8.1 Test specimens shall be of sufficient size to determine
the performance of a wall or its components, or both, may be a function
the performance of all typical parts of the fenestration system.
of proper installation and adjustment. In service, the performance will also
8.1.1 Conditions of structural support shall be simulated as
depend on the rigidity of supporting construction and on the resistance of
accurately as possible.
components to deterioration by various causes, (vibration, thermal expan-
sion and contraction, and so forth). It is difficult to accurately simulate the
8.2 Window, skylight, door, or other component test speci-
actual complex wetting conditions that can be encountered in service, with
mens shall consist of the entire assembled unit, including frame
large wind-blown water drops, increasing water drop impact pressures
and anchorage as supplied by the manufacturer for installation
with increasing wind velocity and lateral or upward moving air and water.
Some designs are more sensitive than others to this upward moving water.
in the building.
NOTE 2—This test does not identify unobservable liquid water which
8.2.1 If only one specimen is to be tested, the selection shall
may penetrate into the test specimen.
be determined by the specifying authority.
6. Apparatus
NOTE 3—It should be recognized, especially with windows, that
performance is likely to be a function of size and geometry. Therefore,
6.1 The description of apparatus in this section is general in
select specimens covering the range of sizes t
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