Curtain wall and skylight testing

A curtain wall is a building façade in which the outer walls are non-structural. Typically designed with extruded aluminum members and infilled with glass, they are widely used for its aesthetically architectural appeal and they allow natural light into the building. As a protection against weathering, there is a need to consider its design requirements such as: thermal expansion and contraction; building sway and movement; water diversion; and thermal efficiency for cost-effective heating, cooling and lighting in the building.

Curtain wall testing standards

 TÜV SÜD supports a complete range of major national and international curtain wall testing standards. These include –

• ASTM (E 283, 330, 331)
  
• AS/NZS 4284
  
• AAMA (501.1, 501.2, etc.)
  
• Singapore standards SS 654, SS 212, SS 268, SS 381 (Replaced by SS 654 : 2020)
  
• JIS (A1515, A1516, A1517)
  
• BS (5368, 6375)
  
• Field Air Infiltration Test (ASTM E 783)
  
• Field Water Test (ASTM E 1105 or AAMA 501.2)

Curtain wall testing procedure

TÜV SÜD’s testing procedure includes the following elements

1. Air Infiltration Test – Rate of air leakage under specified pressure difference across the mock-up.
2. Static Water Penetration Test – Checks interiors for water leakage and exterior face against a specified water rate.
3. Dynamic Water Penetration Test – Applies dynamic pressure difference and specified water rate on the exterior face and checks interiors for water leakage.
4. Cyclic Water Penetration Test – Applies cyclic pressure difference and water rate on the exterior face and checks for interior leakage.
5. Structural Penetration Test – Checks for distress or failures and compliance with the standards.
6. Proof Load Test – Uniform static pressure application and checks for fixing, stopping, or locking device failure.
7. Lateral Movement Test – Movement due to inter-storey drift
8. Vertical Movement Test – Movement due to live load on the floor slab. 

• Sunshade load test
• Operate window sashes
• Acoustic Performance test
• 80 Displacement transducers
• Dynamic water penetration test
• Seismic and vertical movement test
• Positive test chamber for AS/NZS4284
• Seal degradation / BMU restraint load test
• Fully computerized data acquisition equipment
• Curtain Wall Chamber – size 14m (L) x 10m (D) x 16m (H)
• Fully automatic test procedure for static and cyclic

• Protect your company from costly and image damaging scandals and recalls.
• Reduce your business risks by meeting regulatory requirements and standards.
• Increase quality and safety of your products and processes.
• Save time and costs as we provide you with a one-stop testing and certification service.
• Leverage on our global accreditations.
• Leverage on our state-of-the-art laboratories with comprehensive testing equipment and professional expertise.
• Increase customer confidence in your product when your product goes through independent testing.
• Shorten your time-to-market and increase market access when you meet regulatory requirements and standards.