Air infiltration through a fenestration product is an important energy conservation consideration. Using state-of-the-art equipment, HTL measures the air leakage rate through products while subjected to specified differential air pressures. The detected leakage rate is then compared to respective standards to determine a pass/fail rating.
Water infiltration resistance is critical to the overall ability of a building to perform the functions for which it is designed. Water infiltration can be disastrous in terms of mold, corrosion and damage to property. Fenestration products also must be constructed to resist the effects of wind-driven rain. Using static air pressure on the interior of the specimen and a constant or cyclic water rate applied to the exterior of a specimen, HTL can determine product resistance to water penetration.
Structural testing subjects specimens to high exterior (positive, toward the specimen) and interior (negative, away from the specimen) wind pressures, is essential for evaluating the structural integrity of a product. HTL's in-house test chambers can be configured to allow samples as large as
35' x 50' and pressures in excess of 400 psf.
Our Air, Water, Structural testing meets the following standards:
- Florida Building Code TAS 202
- ASTM E283
- ASTM E330
- ASTM E331
- ASTM E547
- ASTM 1592
- ASTM F588
- ASTM F842
- ASTM F1642
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HTL’s full-scale arena blast site provides blast testing tailored to client needs. A typical blast setup utilizes four single-span blast reaction chambers with openings of 20' (w) x 11’-6” (h) x 10' (d) and one twin-span blast reaction with a mid-span anchor with an opening of 20' (w) x 26' (h) x 10' (d). HTL can design and construct any blast reaction chamber for any specimen or special project.
Capabilities include air blast pressures up to 40 psi, in accordance with ASTM F1642, GSA-TS01-2003 and the UFC 4-010-01. HTL uses a state-of-the-art high-speed data acquisition system to measure reflected and free-field air blast pressures and has the ability to measure mullion deflections during air blast testing using non-contacting lasers. This technology allows manufacturers to develop resistance functions for their products based on testing. HTL documents the tests using high-speed cameras with recording speeds up to 10,000 frames per second.
HTL's facility is capable of testing up to 16 windows during a single blast.
Arena Blast Performance Testing meets the following standards:
- ASTM F1642
- GSA-TS01-2003
- UFC 4-010-01
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Cost-effective research & design can be completed with the use of an explosive shock tube
HTL's cutting-edge explosive shock tube utilizes an actual explosion, allowing a specimen to be subjected to both the positive and the negative phases of a bomb blast, giving similar test results to the arena blast test. This crucial information is provided at a much lower cost and is made available in a shorter timeframe. The explosive shock tube is a useful tool for conducting convenient and comparatively inexpensive testing of single test samples.
HTL's explosive shock tube can accommodate test samples up to 92" (w) X 102" (h) and can test up to six single samples per day. If desired, each sample can be subjected to a different pressure/impulse load.
Paired with arena blast testing, security fenestration manufacturers are given all available testing options to evaluate their products.
HTL’s new explosive shock tube has many key features that manufacturers will find advantageous as they develop blast resistant building products such as:
- Reduced testing costs - Small quantities of high explosives mean operating costs are lower than that of a pneumatic shock tube
- More efficient testing – Rapid set-up and removal of test specimens
- Use of actual explosives – Specimens experience both a positive and negative phase during testing
- Flexible test parameters –Ability to effortlessly vary charge weight and standoff distances based on test requirements.
- Correlation of test results – Ability to correlate results obtained using each method of blast testing and to thus build an internal data base for future product design iterations
Explosive Shock Tube Performance Testing meets the following standards:
- AAMA 510-06
- ASTM F1642
- GSA-TS01-2003
- ISO 16933
- UFC 4-010-01
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Clients routinely ask HTL to conduct field tests to building specs to ensure quality of the installed product.
In-laboratory testing is critical to ensure product performance, however, many architects, builders, homeowners associations, designers and contractors ask HTL to conduct added field testing to building specifications to ensure the quality of the installed products and help troubleshoot problems in the field. HTL's highly experienced engineers, using our state-of-the-art equipment, work closely with clients to clearly communicate the process required for field testing in accordance with customer specifications.
Field testing meets the following standards:
- AAMA 501.2
- AAMA 501.3
- AAMA 502
- AAMA 503
- AAMA 511
- ASTM E 330
- ASTM E 783
- ASTM E 1105
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HTL tests allow manufacturers to evaluate post-impact performance of their building products under extreme conditions.
Windborne debris, be it roof gravel in high-rise buildings or larger debris, plays a major role in damaging the building envelope. Cladding may be strong enough to resist wind pressure represented by structural testing, but it may not be strong enough to preserve the integrity of the building envelope when impacted by windborne debris.
State-of-the-industry air cannons allow HTL the ability to perform large and small impact tests on a wide range of systems including wall cladding, exterior windows, glazing exterior doors, skylights, glass blocks, shutters and other similar devices used as external protection to maintain the envelope of the building. The damaged product then is subjected to a series of oscillating air pressure cycles which represent hurricane wind gusts. This testing allows manufacturers to evaluate the post-impact performance of their building products under extreme conditions.
Impact Resistance & Cyclic Wind Pressure Loading meets
the following standards:
- AAMA 501.5
- ASTM E1886
- ASTM E1996
- TDI 1-98:
- AAMA 506
- FEMA 361
- ANSI A-250.13-2003
- Florida Building Code TAS 201
- Florida Building Code TAS 202
- Florida Building Code TAS 203
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Mock-up tests help demonstrate that a system is designed to meet applicable building codes and standards.
HTL offers comprehensive full‐scale mock‐up testing for standard and custom curtain walls. These tests are similar to air, water and structural laboratory testing and provide a visual representation of the system and demonstrate that it is weather tight, structurally sound and functions as it was designed in order to meet applicable building codes and standards.
Test equipment for custom mock‐up tests includes:
- Dynamic Wind Generator
- Modular Water Spray Racks
- Air Flow and Pressure Control Panels
- Static Seismic Racking Equipment
- Thermal Temperature-Cycling Chambers
Mock-up testing meets the following standards:
- AAMA 501
- Florida Building Code TAS 202
- ASTM E283
- ASTM E330
- ASTM E331
- ASTM E547
- ASTM 1592
- ASTM F588
- ASTM F842
- ASTM F1642
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HTL can determine whether your product meets not only federal program requirements, but also code-required or manufacturer-specific thermal standards.
HTL can determine the U-factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visible Light Transmittance (VT) and Condensation Resistance (CR) of windows, doors, skylights, TDDs and commercial site-built products such as curtain walls and storefronts. HTL is a fully NFRC®-accredited Simulation Laboratory and uses the latest in NFRC-approved THERM, WINDOW, Optics and CMAST software for the most accurate results. With the 2009 Stimulus Bill offering tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost to replace exterior windows and/or doors up to a maximum of $1500, homeowners are looking to replace windows and doors with high performance products. To qualify for the tax credit, windows and doors must have a U-value of .30 or lower and a SHGC of .30 or lower. HTL can determine whether products meet not only these federal program requirements, but also any code-driven or manufacturer-specific thermal requirements. The tax credit expires December 31, 2010. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov.
Thermal Performance must meet the following standards:
- NFRC 100
- NFRC 200
- NFRC 500
COMING SOON: THERMAL TEST CHAMBER:
Hot Box for NFRC 102 & AAMA 1503
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HTL’s critical tests help determine if glazing meets the criteria to be considered safety glazing.
Building codes require safety glazing for many areas where accidental glass breakage may occur. HTL can perform critical testing to determine if glazing meets the criteria to be considered safety glazing.
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HTL offers unmatched capabilities in testing under the most severe wind resistance scenarios.
Investigation of damage following hurricanes has indicated that some roofing systems have sufficient strength to resist extremely high winds, while others do not. With the increasing number of wind events in the United States, an interest has grown for roof deck products and systems that meet code specification for wind performance. HTL has the capacity to test such products. Using a 10' x 10' test sample subjected to various positive and negative static and oscillating air pressures, HTL can index performance of roof decks under uplift loads. This provides a comparative measure of uplift resistance of roof deck constructions to code officials, engineers and architects.
Wind Uplift Resistance must meet the following standards:
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