Group 6.F - Curtain Wall Manual, Part III: Testing

Question 1

If the manufacturer will certify that the wall, as it is to
be installed on the building, has already been tested
and qualified by an independent laboratory and meets
the specified criteria, further testing should ________.

till be conducted on a new sample
be unnecessary
be conducted on a larger mock-up
always be conducted.

Answer 1

be unnecessary

Question 2

When a previously unproven wall design is being used, thorough pre-testing is usually
not only ______ but _______.

advisable / necessary
pointless / wasteful
impossible / of no use
easy / fun

Answer 2

advisable / necessary

Question 3

Laboratory pre-testing of metal curtain walls is aimed
at evaluating performance of the wall under exposure
to simulated environmental conditions:

in a complete installation in the building.
in a completed installation after 6 months of service
in an on-site mock-up of the wall system, but before installation
before full scale production of the wall system is begun.

Answer 3

before full scale production of the wall system is begun.

Question 4

A secondary benefit of laboratory is that, in
constructing the test specimen, or mock-up, an
opportunity is provided to check _______ .

structural calculations
installation procedures
glazing bite
thermal expansion

Answer 4

installation procedures

Question 5

Laboratory tests may be conducted for either of two
of the below purposes:

to provide a mock-up for accelerated aging tests
to provide the wall manufacturer with information about the performance of the design
to provide a testing platform for sealant and weatherseal materials.
to provide official evidence and certification that the
performance of the wall meets specified standards.

Answer 5

to provide the wall manufacturer with information about the performance of the design

to provide official evidence and certification that the
performance of the wall meets specified standards

Question 6

Acceptance tests are conducted to verify that the wall conforms with ________.

NAFS
the architect's performance specifications
ASCE 7
AAMA SFM-1-14
all of the above

Answer 6

the architect’s performance specifications

Question 7

Which of the below does not substantially impact metal curtain wall field performance:

the care used in installing the wall
proper anchorage 
the type of spandrel lite
the fit of mating parts
the effectiveness of field seals

Answer 7

the type of spandrel lite

Question 8

Which of the below is not a typical reason for pre-testing of metal curtain walls.

provide the wall manufacturer with information about the performance of the design.
check and potentially improve installation procedures
provide positive proof that the wall will function properly when installed.
reveal design weaknesses or fabrication faults
requiring correction.
reliably predict with accuracy the performance of the wall in actual use.

Answer 8

provide positive proof that the wall will function properly when installed.

reliably predict with accuracy the performance of the wall in actual use.

Question 9

Which of the below is not among the three performance characteristics in particular that are commonly investigated by laboratory performance testing of metal curtain walls?

deflection of glazing panels
resistance to air infiltration
resistance to water penetration
structural adequacy

Answer 9

deflection of glazing panels

Question 10

Acceptance tests of metal curtain walls must:

be conducted by an independent test laboratory
be conducted at the laboratory facilities
have results reported and certified by an independent test laboratory
be conducted at the manufacturer’s facility

Answer 10

have results reported and certified by an independent test laboratory

Question 11

_____ of a metal curtain wall system can be calculated with reasonable accuracy and reliably predicted.

Structural requirements
Water penetration resistance
Air infiltration resistance
Field performance

Answer 11

Structural requirements

Question 12

_______ is the most essential of the three primary testing parameters for metal curtain walls.

Structural requirements
Water penetration resistance
Air infiltration resistance

Answer 12

Water penetration resistance

Question 13

There_____ direct and constant relationship between the amount of air infiltration and the amount of water penetration occurring in a wall.

is a calculated
is an exponential
is no
is a causal

Answer 13

is no

Question 14

Which of the following is/are not true:

Walls which are relatively airtight will not experience serious water leakage problems.

The resistance to both air infiltration and water
leakage depend entirely upon the design details and
are essentially indeterminate, except by testing.

The amount of air infiltration determines the amount of water penetration occurring in a wall.

If the amount of air infiltration is high, the wall will likely be susceptible to water penetration as well.

Answer 14

Walls which are relatively airtight will not experience serious water leakage problems

The amount of air infiltration determines the amount of water penetration occurring in a wall

Question 15

The wall test specimen be a faithful representation of the intended design, including all but which one of the following?

same methods of support and attachment
similar conditions of continuity in all structural elements
same height and location within the wall
same type of glass
same sealants

Answer 15

same height and location within the wall

Question 16

In normal testing practice which of the following is/are not typically used on the test specimen exactly as for the ultimate installation:

same type of glass
same sealants 
job-size steel or concrete framing 
steel angles, clips, shims, 
brackets and bolts
welds

Answer 16

job-size steel or concrete framing

Question 17

Which of the following is not a reason why the same parties who will later be installing the wall on the building should also construct the test specimen:

A. It provides an installation more representative of field workmanship than would likely be provided by laboratory technicians
B. It provides positive proof that the wall will function properly when installed.
C. It acquaints the parties involved with the
details of construction and the critical aspects
of the installation procedure.
D. it can lead to valuable suggestions by the
workmen themselves regarding minor revisions in
details that will facilitate installation

Answer 17

B. It provides positive proof that the wall will function properly when installed.

Question 18

Beyond air/water penetration and structural testing, other common laboratory tests of metal curtain walls may include:

Vertical and horizontal interstory movement
Thermal cycling
Impact resistance
Condensation evaluation

Answer 18

Impact resistance

Question 19

ASTM test methods referenced for the “standard” wall
tests specify:

The method to be used for testing 
The required standards of performance to be met
The pressures used in testing. 
The type of attachments to be used 
All of the above

Answer 19

The method to be used for testing

Question 20

The testing agency is required to include in its report such information as:

The date of the test and the report
A complete set of As-Built detailed drawings of
the test specimen as it was final tested
Determination of acceptability
A tabulation of the pressures used in testing
A detailed statement of performance and full
description of any deficiencies of performance
observed.
All of the above.

Answer 20

NOT: Determination of acceptability

Question 21

The architect should always clearly states in his
specifications that acceptability of the wall is
contingent upon:

conducting laboratory tests
performance as specified
only structural performance

Answer 21

performance as specified

Question 22

Which (2) of the following is not among the more important guidelines in specifying aluminum curtain walls:

A. Provide the testing agency with detailed
drawings of the test specimen
B. If possible, for project-specific testing, have
the test specimen constructed by those parties
who will be installing the wall on the building
C. Minimize tolerances and clearances - maintained below the relevant standards.
D. Make adequate allowances in the construction
schedule for the conduct of tests and the
effective use of test results.
E. Ensurer the most rigorous laboratory testing to guarantee good performance on the building.
F. See that a responsible member of the
manufacturer’s staff is present to witness
installation of the specimen and all tests.
G. Specify that, in the event that the tests
disclose deficiencies in either workmanship or
design, such deficiencies shall be corrected and
tests shall be repeated until all specified
performance requirements are satisfied.

Answer 22

C and E

Question 23

Which (2) of the following is not among the more important guidelines in specifying aluminum curtain walls:

A. Thickness and insulation in surrounding walls
B. Whether or not tests are to be required
B. Specific tests needed to confirm that the wall
meets that performance criteria specified
C. Do not rely on testing as a substitute for thorough study of wall details in the design process.
D. Thorough laboratory testing should be specified to eliminate the need for field performance testing.
E. If laboratory performance tests are required, they should be performed and certified by a responsible
independent testing laboratory
F. The selection of the wall area to be
represented by the test specimen

Answer 23

A and D

Question 24

Q1:
When a previously unproven wall design is being used, thorough pre-testing us usually

required y code
repetitive of previous testing
advisable and necessary
conducted on no less than 25% of the wall area

Answer 24

advisable and necessary

Question 25

Q2:
Field test and laoratory tests will:

produce different results
produce the same results
demonstrate installers’ incompetence
not test the same characteristics

Answer 25

produce the same results

Question 26

Q3:
The three performance characteristics commonly investigated by laboratory testing do not include:

resistance to air infiltration
resistance to water penetration
thermal performance
structural adequacy

Answer 26

thermal performance

Question 27

Q4:
One of the benefits of having the same people construct the mock-up as will perform the construction of the wall is:
lab personnel often do not know how to construct walls
workmen may provide suggestions for revisions for installation
it can be done at a lower cost as part of a bid package
time studies can be performed for determining real cost

Answer 27

workmen may provide suggestions for revisions for installation

Question 28

Q5
A test report is provided to an architect who can then:

determine if the wall has performed acceptably
save in files in case of future litigation
patent his wall design with the US patent office
claim equivalence for any changes to attachments

Answer 28

determine if the wall has performed acceptably

Question 29

Of the following, which are NOT required for inclusion in the testing agency’s report:

The date of the test and the report
A complete set of As-Built detailed drawings of the test specimen as it was final tested, showing all pertinent features of the construction
The section modulus of the frame components
A tabulation of the pressures used in testing
A record of wind speeds and velocity pressures encountered by the specimen.
A detailed statement of performance and full description of any deficiencies of performance observed.

Answer 29

The section modulus of the frame components

A record of wind speeds and velocity pressures encountered by the specimen.

Question 30

ASTM test methods referenced for the “standard” wall
tests specify:

The sample location and number
The method to be used for testing
The the required water-penetration performance
Air infiltration performance levels in cfm/s.f. and pressure.
All of the above.

Answer 30

The method to be used for testing