Water Resistance

Glass Block Technology has tested glass blocks & the Rods & Mortar installation method to CWCT standards (Centre for Window Cladding Technology). 

The panel test sequence was in accordance with CWCT test methods for building envelopes - Dec 2005, sections 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 & 15 & BS 8200: 1985, to determine the weather tightness of the sample with respect to air leakage, water penetration, wind and impact resistance. 

The test sample successfully passed all of the above CWCT test requirements and all tests are either equal to or in excess of the requirements for current BS EN Standards for Curtain Walling

Impact Test Procedure

 

 

Water Penetration – Static Pressure

Three (3) preparatory pulses of 660 Pa (110% of peak test pressure) positive pressure were applied to the test sample.  

Water  was  sprayed  on  to  the  sample  for  15  minutes  at  zero  (0)  Pa. The water spray continued and the pressure was increased in the following positive increments; 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 450 and 600 Pa, each stage being held for 5 minutes.

A water  spray  system  was  used  which comprised  of  nozzles  spaced  on a uniform grid, not more  that 700 mm apart and mounted approximately 400 mm from the face of the sample. The nozzles provided a full cone pattern, as per the requirements outlined by CWCT. The system delivered water uniformly to the the entire surface of the test sample at a rate of not less than 3.4 lt/m2/min.

The interior face of the sample was continuously monitored for water ingress throughout the test.

Water Penetration – Dynamic Aero Engine

Water was sprayed on to the sample as described in section A wind generator was mounted adjacent to the external face of the test sample and used to create positive pressure differential during dynamic testing. The  sample  was  subjected  to  airflow  from  the  wind  generator,  which  achieved average  deflections  equal  to  those  produced  at  a  static  pressure  differential  of  600Pa and  these conditions were met for the specified 15 minutes.

The interior face of the sample was continuously monitored for water ingress throughout the test.

Water Penetration – Hose

Working from the exterior, selected areas of curtain wall were wetted from the bottom up, progressing from the lowest horizontal joint then the intersecting vertical joints.

The  water  was  applied  using  a  brass  nozzle  which  produced  a  solid  cone  of  water droplets  with  a nominal spread of  30°.  The nozzle  was provided with a control valve and a pressure gauge between the valve and the nozzle. The water flow to the nozzle was adjusted to produce 22 + 2 litre / min when the water pressure at the nozzle inlet was 220 + 20kPa. Water was applied to the sample for 5 mins per 1.5 m length of join.

Throughout  the  water  penetration  testing, and for 30 minutes following the cessation of spraying, the internal face of the sample was examined for water penetration. The emergence of any water on the inside face would be recorded, and the location and extent of any leakage noted on a drawing of the test specimen.

	Peak Test Pressure	Result	Date of test	Classification
Test 3 – Water Penetration (Static Pressure)	600 Pa	Pass	07/03/11	R7
Test 7 – Water Penetration (Static Pressure)	600 Pa	Pass	07/03/11	R7
Test 8 – Water Penetration (Dynamic Aero Engine)	600 Pa	Pass	07/03/11	-
Test 9 – Water Penetration (Hose)	-	Pass	07/03/11	-

Note1 : There is no classification or performance requirement for exfiltration testing in CWCT Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes – Section 5.

The panel was tested using Rods & Mortar accessories:

Sample Size:  5610mm wide x 2610mm high – made up of 190mm x 190mm Glass blocks (28 blocks wide by 13 blocks high)

Jointing Material:  10mm mortar joints using Colmef Vetromix mortar.

Reinforcement:  2 x 5mm stainless steel reinforcement rods per horizontal joint & 1 x 5mm stainless steel reinforcement rods per vertical joint.

Perimeter Seals: 10mm Expansion joint around perimeter. Caulked over with Glass Block Technology’s Rods & Mortar silicon sealant.