What is the AAMA 501.2 Test Method? The AAMA 501.2 test is a Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems.
What is the Scope and Purpose of the AAMA 501.2 Test?
It is primarily intended to be a quality assurance measure for new construction projects and to evaluate those joints, gaskets, and sealant details in the glazing which are designed to remain permanently closed and water tight.
Can I test Perimeter Seals or Caulk Joints with the AAMA 501.2 Test? Yes, the AAMA 501.2 Spray Wand can be used to check the water tightness of perimeter sealant joints.
AAMA 501.2 Test Area
The area to be tested should be fully assembled and ready for testing prior to the arrival of the test crew. The area should also be a representative sample of typical installation on the project and usually not less than 100 square feet.
The test area should also include: perimeter seals (caulking), typical splices, frame intersections, and if applicable, at least two entire vision lites and two entire spandrel lites containing an intermediate vertical member and intermediate horizontal member.
Where Does Fenestration Testing Lab perform these tests? FTL services all of California including major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego.
Test apparatus (the AAMA 501.2 Spray Wand) must have a nozzle that is a Type B-25, #6.030 with a 13mm (1/2in) FPT.
Test pressure must be adjusted to 30-35 PSI (Refer to the test standard for exceptions).
Designated test areas to be divided up into 5 foot sections of the framing and joints. Nozzle must be held to plane of wall at a distance of 12 inches from test specimen (plus or minus an inch tolerance allowed).
Test rate of 1 minute per lineal foot per section (i.e.-one "5" foot lineal section shall be tested in a period of 5 minutes).
The gauge must be calibrated every 6 months, and calibration certificates shall be made available upon request.
The test standard requires that testing be performed by an AAMA accredited independent testing agency (Section 5.5).
AAMA accredited laboratories are required to comply with AAMA 204-98 "Guidelines for AAMA Accreditation of Independent Laboratories Performing On-Site Testing of Fenestration Products". The requirement of AAMA accreditation assures the specifer that the laboratory has the staff, training, experience, and calibrated equipment to properly perform field testing.
If you are need of an independent test agency to conduct third party performance testing on site, provide accurate results with timely reports, and assist you with the testing process, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Fenestration Testing Laboratory (FTL) today.
FTL is a fully accredited AAMA Test Lab. Other test lab accreditations and recognitions include: FGIA (Formerly AAMA), IAS for ISO 17025, and WDMA (Hallmark Certification Program in additions to NAMI. We have been helping construction professionals since 1988. If you need assistance, have questions, or need a job proposal, please call or email anytime.
Phone: 909-477-4343
Fenestration Testing Lab | FTL
Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego
