Facade Mock-ups

Curtain walls and window walls are typically specified to meet a variety of different performance and testing criteria, some of which can be quite stringent. Several such requirements are defined in specific codes and industry standards, including, but not limited to, 2015 requirements of the National Building Code of Canada, the International Building Code, AAMA 501 - Methods of Test for Exterior Walls and ASTM E2099 – Standard Practice for the Specification and Evaluation of Pre-Construction Laboratory Mock-ups of Exterior Wall Systems. Full scale laboratory mock-up testing of glazing systems can provide a valuable demonstration of the systems’ ability to perform to specified requirements. This paper assesses the importance of lab testing as part of a quality assurance program and will present a variety of different failures that have occurred during laboratory mock-up testing, which revealed deficiencies in the design, assembly, or installation of the glazing systems. Glazing systems addressed include full scale laboratory mock-ups of curtain walls and window walls. Failures discussed include instances of water penetration, structural failures, and excessive air leakage. Corrective measures that were implemented in the mock-up are discussed, as well as modifications that were made to the system design and/or assembly methods to address the failures. Potential future consequences that may have arisen had lab testing not been undertaken are also presented.

With many building designers and owners desiring unique building aesthetics, use of customized glazing systems is not uncommon. Alternatively, modifications are made to “off the shelf” or more standardized glazing systems to accommodate specific aesthetic designs. Some of these modifications may have an impact on the performance of the glazing system. Recommendations are provided on when project-specific laboratory mock-up testing should be considered as part of the quality assurance program, as well as identify test procedures that should be included in the testing program and procedures that typically provide lesser benefit and may be considered optional. This paper is intended to assist architects, developers, and facade consultants in deciding when project-specific laboratory mock-up testing should be undertaken and which tests should be included.