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Field inspection and leak remediation · Lesson 2 of 4

Field inspection and leak remediation: materials, standards and design constraints

What each leak-test and survey standard says it covers, why a flood-test guide for decks does not fit a roof, how warranties set inspection, notice and repair rules, and why intervals differ.

You will be able to: Identify which standards and which warranty terms govern a field inspection or leak investigation, and what each one is and is not written for.

13 min · 11 slides · 11 questions

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Slide 1 of 11

Which standard fits which assembly

ASTM E2128 covers the causes of water leakage of exterior walls.

ASTM E1105 tests installed windows, skylights, doors and curtain walls, spraying water on the outdoor face while air pressure is held higher outside than inside.

An article in The Construction Specifier describes AAMA 501.2 as a field water check for fixed, permanently closed glazing such as storefronts and curtain walls.

Which test is written for which assemblySix rows. ASTM E2128 covers causes of leakage in exterior walls. ASTM E1105 is for installed windows, doors, curtain walls and skylights. AAMA 501.2 is for fixed glazing. ASTM D5957 is for horizontal waterproofing on parking and plaza decks, not for building roofs. ASTM C1153 finds wet insulation with night-time infrared. ASTM D7877 locates leaks in membranes by electrical conductance.E2128Causes of leakage inexterior wallsE1105Installed windows, doors,curtain walls, skylightsAAMA 501.2Fixed glazing: 5 ft sections,five minutes eachD5957Deck waterproofing;not for building roofsC1153Wet insulation, found bynight-time infraredD7877Locates membrane leaksby electrical conductanceNone names metal coping or gutters

Six standards listed with what each says it covers: causes of wall leakage, installed windows and curtain walls, fixed glazing, waterproofing on parking and plaza decks, wet insulation by infrared, and electrical leak location in membranes. None names metal coping or gutters.

Scope statements only. A standard is used where its scope fits; none of these names a water test for metal coping or gutters.

Sources

Videos for this lesson

What this video shows: Sheffield Metals staff explain what a weathertight warranty is, the types of coverage, and what installers go through during warranty inspections. One supplier's program; read the warranty on your own roof.

Video: Weathertight Warranties for Metal Roofs: Everything You Need to Know by The Metal Roofing Channel, on YouTube. AFS checked its description against this lesson.

What this video shows: An equipment maker explains how electronic leak detection uses trapped water reaching a conductive deck to find a breach in a membrane, and why infrared and capacitance typically cannot pinpoint the source. One maker's view, for membrane roofs; it goes with the electrical methods on the infrared and electrical slide, not with metal flashing.

Video: Forensic Electronic Leak Detection (ELD) Testing for Existing Roofs with Active Leaks by Detec Systems, on YouTube. AFS checked its description against this lesson.

Glossary

AAMA 501.2
A field water check for installed fixed glazing systems such as storefronts, curtain walls and sloped glazing: water is sprayed in 5 ft sections for five minutes each while an observer watches inside. It is not the protocol for operable products.
Flood test
A test that ponds water on a horizontal waterproofing installation to check for leaks. ASTM D5957 is a guide for such tests on surfaces such as parking garages and plaza decks, and its scope says it is not intended for use on building roofing systems.
Infrared roof survey
Infrared imaging at night to locate wet insulation in a roofing system (ASTM C1153). UFC says methods like this supplement a visual inspection and never replace it.
Weathertightness warranty
A maker's warranty that a roof system will not leak for a stated period. It is conditional on the owner meeting terms such as regular inspections, giving prompt notice and using approved repairers.