Water permeability tests of light-transparent facade of high-rise residential buildings in real conditions

Abstract

Stained glass glazing systems in residential buildings, along with requirements for a number of physical, mechanical and technical characteristics, must provide resistance to water permeability under atmospheric and humidity effects on them. At the initiative of the construction customer, control tests were carried out "on the Strait" of stained-glass balcony glazing systems using fire technology to confirm compliance with the stated requirements for water permeability of the facade glazing system of a residential building and to identify errors made in the design, production and installation of stained-glass structures. The purpose of the work is to analyze the results of control tests for water permeability of a stained glass system of a residential building under excessive water pressure at the request of the developer in real conditions and on their basis to provide recommendations for developing regulations for such tests. Method – tests for water permeability of the balcony glazing system with a water jet from the RSK-50 fire hose when water is supplied 162 l/min per 1 m2. Results. It was found that using fire equipment when testing the glazing system for water permeability in real conditions, the laboratory values 2,7 l/min per 1 m2 for water consumption and pressure on the glazing elements were exceeded ten times. This led to exogenous non-critical micro-damages. Conclusions. It is shown that tests on the Strait can serve as an effective means of quality control, both for construction and installation works of facade glazing.