Weather Performance Test

• Principle
• Application
• Advantages
• Limitations
• Test Procedures

Advantages

The weather performance test has the advantages of:

• The test makes use of a life-size mock-up of the external wall. This allows all construction joints, drainage systems and panels that will be used on the actual wall to be tested.
• It allows actual site conditions to be simulated in the test chamber thus allowing the adequacy of the wall system to be assessed prior to actual construction
• The wall system can be tested for failure under extreme conditions of wind and rain that may occur during the lifetime of the building.
• Changes can be made to the type of sealant, gaskets, etc., should they fail in the test. This allows the most efficient and effective material to be used.
• The durability, life cycle costs and maintenance costs of the wall system can be predicted even before the wall system is constructed.
• Performance parameters of both structural and weathertightness can be conveniently tested in the same testing chamber and mock-up wall system. This minimises testing costs.