ASTM Field Quality Control Testing

Sovell Investigative Testing and Consulting (SITC) has performed ASTM International water penetration and air infiltration field testing on residential, light commercial, commercial, and architectural-grade projects throughout the United States for over twenty-six years.

Our experience includes a wide range of building envelope conditions and product performance classes. Examples of past projects can be found on our Projects page.

SITC utilizes multiple ASTM International field-testing standards to evaluate the performance of installed exterior windows, doors, skylights, and curtain wall systems. The standards listed below represent the most commonly used test methods for water penetration and air infiltration testing.

ASTM E1105 – Field Water Penetration Testing

ASTM E1105 – 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 – is the most widely used field test method for evaluating water penetration.

Why ASTM E1105 Is the Most Commonly Specified Field Test

ASTM E1105 is considered a combination field standard because it incorporates the principles of two laboratory test methods:

  • ASTM E331 – Water Penetration by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
  • ASTM E547 – Water Penetration by Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference

Because ASTM E1105 accommodates products tested under ASTM E331, ASTM E547, or both, it allows project specifiers to reference a single field test method regardless of product type or performance class.

This flexibility enables ASTM E1105 to be specified across a wide range of projects, including:

  • Residential
  • Light commercial
  • Commercial
  • Architectural performance class systems

For additional technical details and testing requirements, please see our ASTM E1105 page.

ASTM E783 – Field Air Infiltration Testing

ASTM E783 – Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors – provides procedures for measuring air leakage rates of installed exterior windows and doors in the field.

This test method is limited to window and door assemblies only and is not intended for evaluating air leakage through wall systems or complete building envelopes.

Important Considerations for ASTM E783 Testing

ASTM E783 is one of the most commonly misunderstood field test methods due to several critical factors:

  • ASTM E783 does not establish allowable air leakage rates within the standard
  • Acceptable leakage rates must be determined from applicable laboratory testing and certification data
  • Test pressure differentials vary based on product performance class
  • Multiple measurement approaches may be used to determine air leakage rates
  • ASTM E783 does not include the “1.5 times the applicable AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S./A440 rate” requirement

These items must be properly evaluated and addressed prior to conducting field air infiltration testing to ensure accurate and meaningful results.

For additional information, please visit our ASTM E783 page.