Water Penetration Field Testing

Sovell Investigative Testing and Consulting (SITC) provides expert ASTM water penetration testing for residential, commercial, light commercial, and architectural projects across the United States.

  • ASTM Quality Assurance (QA) Testing – for newly installed fenestration products
  • ASTM Forensic (Investigative) Testing – for existing installations experiencing water intrusion

For examples of past projects, see our Projects Page.

SITC Testing Standards and Specifications

SITC utilizes a variety of ASTM standards and AAMA specifications depending on the type of testing required:

AAMA 502 – Quality Assurance Testing for Newly Installed Fenestration

  • Edition: AAMA 502 Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Newly Installed Fenestration Products

This standard applies to:

  • Windows
  • Operable doors
  • Fenestration products

Important Requirements:

  • For quality assurance testing only
  • Must be performed prior to building occupancy permit issuance
  • No later than six months after installation

Referenced Standards Include:

AAMA:

  • AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440
  • AAMA 503
  • AAMA 511

ASTM:

  • ASTM E122
  • ASTM E783
  • ASTM E1105
  • ASTM E2128

See our AAMA 502 Page for further information.

AAMA 503 – Storefront & Curtain Wall Field Testing

Edition: AAMA 503 – Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Newly Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems

  • Scope: Quality assurance of newly installed storefronts, curtain walls, and sloped glazing systems
  • Timing: Before occupancy permit and within six months of installation
  • Exclusions: Windows, glass doors, and skylights (use AAMA 502)

Referenced Standards Include:

AAMA:

  • AAMA 502
  • AAMA 511
  • AAMA AG-07

ASTM:

  • ASTM E122
  • ASTM E783
  • ASTM E1105
  • ASTM E2128

See our AAMA 503 Page for further information.

AAMA 501.2 – Diagnostic Field Water Checks

  • Edition: AAMA 501.2 Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check

Scope: Used for:

  • Installed storefronts
  • Curtain walls
  • Sloped glazing systems

This method:

  • Is diagnostic in nature
  • Does NOT test rated wind-driven rain performance
  • Does NOT apply to operable windows or doors
  • Exclusions: Operable windows and doors
  • Purpose: Not intended to simulate full wind-driven rain events; used for identifying leak paths in glazing details only
  • References:
    • AAMA: 502, 503, 511

See our AAMA 501.2 Page for further information.

AAMA 511 – Forensic Water Penetration Testing

  • Edition: AAMA 511 Voluntary Guideline for Forensic Water Penetration Testing of Fenestration Products
  • Scope: Forensic testing to recreate known leaks

Unlike quality assurance standards (AAMA 502 & 503), AAMA 511 is used to:

  • Recreate known leak conditions
  • Simulate weather events
  • Identify leak paths
  • Calculate differential air pressures experienced during wind-driven rain

This is an investigative tool used when leakage has already been reported.

  • References:
    • AAMA: 502, 503, AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440
    • ASTM: E1105, E2128
    • Other: NOAA climatological data

See our AAMA 511 Page for further information.

ASTM Laboratory and Field Standards

SITC conducts both laboratory and field testing using these ASTM standards:

  • ASTM E331 – Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls

Used for:

  • Laboratory testing
  • Interior mock-up testing

This test:

  • Uses uniform static air pressure
  • Defines apparatus, specimen size, and calibration requirements

Conducted in SITC’s laboratory facility.

ASTM E547 – Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls
Used for:

  • Laboratory testing
  • Interior mock-up testing

This method:

  • Uses cyclic static air pressure
  • Simulates fluctuating wind conditions

Conducted in SITC’s laboratory facility.

ASTM E1105 – Field Determination of Water Penetration
Used for:

  • Quality assurance testing
  • Forensic investigation

Advantages of Early Testing:

Testing at time of installation allows:

  • Identification of fabrication errors
  • Installation correction before wall completion
  • Reduced repair costs

Forensic Applications:

Used after building completion to determine if leakage is due to:

  • Installation failure
  • Material failure
  • System design issues

Procedures:

  • Procedure A: Uniform static air pressure
  • Procedure B: Cyclic static air pressure

SITC determines the appropriate procedure based on laboratory performance data.

  • ASTM E2128 – Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
    Forensic/investigative testing to determine how, why, and to what extent a building leaks

SITC Approach to Water Penetration Testing

  1. Document Review: Evaluate design documents and project specifications
  2. Site Inspection: Assess as-built conditions and service history of the building
  3. Controlled Testing: Conduct reproducible field or laboratory tests to verify hypotheses
  4. Data Analysis: Establish cause-and-effect relationships between wall/fenestration characteristics and observed leakage

Our objective is to determine:

  • Why the building leaks
  • How the leakage occurs
  • The extent of damage
  1. Reporting: Deliver clear, actionable reports with findings and recommendations

Why Choose SITC?

  • Extensive experience across North America
  • Both field and laboratory capabilities
  • Quality assurance & forensic expertise
  • Clear, professional reporting
  • Standards-driven methodology

Schedule Water Penetration Testing

Whether you need quality assurance testing prior to occupancy or forensic investigation of an active leak, SITC has the expertise and equipment to assist.

Contact us today to schedule testing or discuss your project.