I ’ve heard that there have been updates to the AAMA standards. If I’ve been running the AAMA 502-02 spray test how do I need to adjust?
The AAMA 502-02 has been replaced by the AAMA 502-08 and the AAMA 511-08.

AAMA 502-02 was called “Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Windows and Sliding Glass Doors”.

AAMA 502-08 is now called “Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Newly Installed Fenestration Products”. The AAMA 502 can no longer be performed on any window or door that has been installed for more than 6 months. It is only to be used “during construction, prior to issuance of the building occupancy permit but no later than six months after installation of the fenestration product.” (AAMA 502-08, page 4, section 1.1). The aim here is to discover corrections that need to be made early in the construction process in order to minimize the financial impact on any responsible parties.

Also of significance is that the changed standard specifies that the 502 test “shall be performed by an AAMA accredited independent testing agency.” (page 5, section 3.4). So basically the AAMA 502 has gone the way of the dodo bird for most test engineers. 

Now most will be performing the AAMA 511-08 instead. It’s a new procedure but it’s basically the same as the AAMA 502-02. It’s to be used in the case of any window or door that has been installed more than 6 months previous. And nowhere in the AAMA 511 does it state that the test can only be performed by an AAMA accredited agency.

Both the AAMA 502 and the AAMA 511 refer to the ASTM E1105 and ASTM E2128 for various things, so these standards should be known as well.

The ASTM E2128 is a good standard to know — it’s referred to by many other new standards, and it’s also used when other tests produce failures but an actual cause cannot be determined. 

All these standards can seem stringent and somewhat arbitrary. The best approach is to be well versed in as many pertinent standards as possible so that you are covering all your bases and performing any test procedure correctly. Because of the complicated nature of the test standards, the performance of these procedures is one of the things looked at most often by both sides in litigation.

Why does my spray rack have to be calibrated according to the ASTM E331 if I’m performing a spray test according to the ASTM E1105 or the AAMA 502 specifications?

The ASTM E1105 standard uses the same rules for spray apparatus calibration as the E331 does. The ASTM E547 does as well. The AAMA 502 refers to the ASTM E331 for this calibration too. Read on to find out more about the newest updates on the AAMA 502 standard.

How often does my spray rack have to be calibrated?

Every 6 months:
ASTM E 1105-00 “Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference” page #4 paragraph 9.1.1 “Recalibrate at intervals necessary in the judgment of the testing agency but not more than six months.”

ASTM E 331-00 “Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference” page #3 paragraph 9.1.1 “Recalibrate at intervals of not more than six months.”

ASTM E 547-00 “Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Cyclic Air Pressure Difference” page #3 paragraph 9.1.1 “Recalibrate at intervals of not more than 6 months.”

How often do I need to calibrate my air infiltration test kit?
Every 6 months:
(The ASTM E 783 refers to AAMA 204-98 page #4 FIG.1 for dimensions and guidelines of the field calibration box).

ASTM E 783-02 “Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors” Page #4 Paragraph 12.1 “All test apparatus shall be calibrated at a minimum of every six months”.

I ’ve heard that there have been updates to the AAMA standards. If I’ve been running the AAMA 502.02 spray test how do I need to adjust?
The AAMA 502.02 has been replaced by the AAMA 502.08 and the AAMA 511.08. The 502.08 can only be done on products less than 6 months old. When the product is older than 6 months you must now perform the AAMA 511.08.

Can I use your Rain Wand, (the AAMA 501.2 spray nozzle apparatus) on a residential window or for an 1105 test?
NO!! You could cause damage to the window. The Rain Wand is only to be used for the AAMA 501.2 test on curtain walls or storefront type windows.

Is changing the pressure in the whole room with a blower door sufficient when performing the ASTM E1105 or the AAMA 502.08 or 511.08 spray test?
No. You must have a specific pressure difference at the surface of the test specimen.
ASTM E1105-00, paragraph 6.2.1 Test Chamber—A test chamber or box made of
plywood, plastic, or other suitable material and sealed against
the test specimen. Test chambers mounted on the interior must
be made so that interior surfaces and joints of the specimen can
be easily observed for water penetration during the test…