Draft Details

1. Scope

As the demand for building envelope performance becomes a greater focus within the Canadian building codes the increase in the in-situ testing of fenestration assemblies and installation during and after project construction has increased the scrutiny of the process from fenestration manufacturers and installers. The fenestration industry has struggled with the in-situ testing industry and the lack of regulation of it. This document provides guidance for the development of a Canadian standard for performing in-situ air and water penetration testing of fenestration assemblies installed in residential buildings under Part 9 or Part 3 of the National Building Code of Canada. 

Annex B provides some information on how climate change could impact fenestration product design and application. It is anticipated that fenestration designers will need to incorporate changes in climate loads resulting from climate change into fenestration product design and that adjustments will need to be made to installation detailing. Annex B provides some information on these topics for consideration by building design team, authorities having jurisdiction, and installers. As information on climate change evolves, so too will the requirements of this Standard.

1.1 General

This standard sets forth methods for in-situ testing entities that can be used to evaluate the installed performance of fenestration assemblies for air and water penetration resistance under controllable and reproducible conditions. This standard applies to new construction and replacement fenestration installation projects.

This standard considers:

a)    Available standards referenced in the NBC and/or relevant standards such as CSA/A440.4  Window, door, and skylight installation; and

b)   Responsibilities for related stakeholders participating during in-situ air and water penetration testing of fenestration assemblies; and

c)    Test methods that apply to installed fenestration including the rough opening as outlined in CSA A440.4-19.

Note: Test methods that apply to installed fenestration products excluding the rough opening as outlined in CSA A440.4-19 are referenced in the annex.

1.2 Interested parties

This standard is intended to provide consistent guidance to all interested parties such as:

a)    Architects

b)   Building envelope consultants

c)    Engineers

d)   Fenestration installers

e)    Fenestrations manufacturers/Suppliers

f)    Project Specifiers

g)    Project Contractors/General Contractors

h)   Testing providers

i)     Building owner

1.3 Exclusions

Fenestration products excluded from the scope of this Standard include.

a)    interior windows, interior accessory windows (IAWs), and interior doors;

b)   vehicular-access doors (garage doors) (see ANSI/DASMA 105, ANSI/DASMA 108, ANSI/DASMA 109, ANSI/DASMA 115, or other applicable DASMA Specifications);

c)    roof-mounted smoke and heat-relief vents (see FM 4430);

d)   sloped glazing (other than unit skylights or roof windows) (see AAMA TIR A7);

e)    curtain walls and storefronts (see AAMA MCWM-1);

f)    commercial entrance systems (see AAMA SFM-1);

g)    sunrooms (see AAMA/NPEA/NSA 2100);

h)   revolving doors; and

i)     commercial steel doors rated per ANSI/SDI A250.8

1.4 Climate Resiliency

Annex B provides information on climate change, its potential effects on fenestration in buildings and provides guidance for climate change resilient design for fenestration products and installation.

1.5 Terminology

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.[HE1] 

1.6 Units of measure

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.[HE2]