Research and development
performance testing
SOTA Glazing Inc. is committed to excellence in our products and service. We strive to provide our clients with the most current and reliable technology available to suit their individual needs.
Logan International Airport
In September 1997 our contract to build curtainwall for Logan International Airport in Boston, specified that our proposed curtainwall required testing to meet certain standards. Frames were fabricated & assembled for testing with the same degree of accuracy and craftsmanship given to all of our products and shipped to Architectural Testing Inc. in York, PA.
<Fig. 1 Air Infiltration Test>
The air infiltration tests were conducted using a propeller driven aircraft engine. The test was described as 'Rate of air leakage Though Exterior Windows, Curtainwalls and Doors by Uniform Static Pressure Difference'. Testing was conducted at 6.24psf positive static air pressure difference.
<Fig. 2 Water Pressure and Resistance Test>
Fig. 2 outlines two tests; the first being static water resistance 'Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Curtainwalls and Doors by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference'. Testing was conducted at 12.0psf positive static air pressure difference. Water was applied to the mock up at a minimum rate of 5 gal/sqft/hr. The test duration was 15 minutes.
The second test is referred to as the 'Standard Test Method for Metal Curtainwalls for Water Penetration Using Dynamic Pressure'. Testing was conducted with a dynamic pressure equivalent of 12 psf. Water was applied to the mockup at a minimum rate of 5 gal/sqft/hr. The test duration was 15 minutes. The 'Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtainwalls and doors by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference test was conducted with positive and negative loads of 53.0psf and 79.5psf.
The final test showed that our curtainwall design exceeded all of the allowable values for acceptable curtainwall performance.
For a copy of these results or results from any other of our projects contact:
The performance of SOTA curtainwalls is largely due in part to our integration of the rain screen principle into our design.
rain screen principle
The performance of SOTA curtainwalls is largely due in part to our integration of the rain screen principle into our design.Download the Rain Screen Principle PDF here.
