The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document to provide a standard water penetration test method when it comes to using dynamic pressure. AAMA 501.1-17, the “Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors Using Dynamic Pressure,” establishes the equipment and procedures for testing.

In it, a section on test equipment was updated to clarify what to do for laboratory testing versus on-site testing.

“The AAMA 501.1 dynamic pressure water test has been used as a laboratory test for over 50 years and is particularly useful when testing pressure equalized fenestration systems when severe windblown rain is a concern,” says Greg McKenna (Kawneer), officer of the AAMA Methods of Test Committee. “In more recent years, this test has been used in the field due to the added benefit that a separate vacuum chamber is not needed. This is an advantage if the building is occupied or if constructing a chamber at the building site is not a practical option.”

Additional edits to this updated standard include the addition of two figures showing images of acceptable water leakage, plus a definition for what unacceptable water penetration means.