Abstract
Watertightness test standards are used to evaluate enclosure components in terms of water penetration resistance. Currently, there is a wide variety of watertightness tests in use for façades elements and wall systems. However, recent research has revealed many inconsistencies in the possibility of current test standards to reproduce real exposure conditions. As such, the main test parameters specified in watertightness test standards have been called into question. Nonetheless, these studies do not pay attention to the protocols and the technical specifications incorporated in the test standards. Neither to the influence that these aspects could have on the watertightness results. The present paper provides a general overview of current watertightness tests standards from around the world. Thereafter, a thorough comparison of the technical specifications incorporated in the protocols of the test standards has been carried out. Finally, an evaluation and discussion of some parameters suggested in the tests standards is undertaken based on the state of the art and laboratory experiments over diverse mock-ups.
Highlights
Overview of existing watertightness test standardsThe stages over a product’s lifetime during which watertightness testing principally occurs are: (i) product design and development; (ii) recently installed products, and; (iii) during the useful service-life of the product [1]
Watertightness test standards are used to evaluate enclosure components in terms of water penetration resistance
The comparison of the different watertightness test standards and the subsequent critical evaluation of some of the related test parameters has called into question many of the technical specifications incorporated in the standards
Summary
The stages over a product’s lifetime during which watertightness testing principally occurs are: (i) product design and development; (ii) recently installed products, and; (iii) during the useful service-life of the product [1]. In the early-life stages of the product, testing is completed to determine performance limits, to establish certification levels and to help ensure quality control. For this purpose, a mock-up is built and thereafter tested in laboratory conditions. Over the product’s mid- and later-life stages, testing clearly occurs on-site. Watertightness testing in mid-life stages is for quality assurance of the workmanship, whereas the testing is intended to reproduce actual leakage that has been observed during in-service conditions of the installed product in later-life stages
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