Technical Updates Standard for systemised building envelopes Tu TU 12 Tu13 Tu14 TU15 TuI7 Acceptable water leakage Redundancy of fixings Measurement of displacement Load Combinations Replacement of British Structural design codes by Eurocodes Calibration of test chamber for air leakage WINDOW2 CLADDING 2008 2008 2008 2009 2010 2011 302x201Technical Update 11 centae foe WINDOW2 CLADDING Acceptable water leakage In the CWCT Standard for curtain walling, 1996, there was a guidance note stating ‘A view may be taken by the Testing Authority that if one or two small droplets of water start to form during the test, but that these droplets do not start to run or flow, then such leakage may not constitute failure. In which case, the Testing Authority may decide to continue with that test and reserve judgement as to whether the specimen has passed or failed’ The Testing Authority is defined as the body witnessing and certifying the test. The Testing ‘Authority shall be either: @) _Aniindependent testing laboratory undertaking the tests and accredited for the required tests to an appropriate national body (UKAS in the UK), where applicable, or b) An appropriately qualified independent consultant or the specifier who witnesses and certifies the testing, when not undertaken by an accredited independent testing laboratory. This clause is not present in the CWCT Standard for systemised building envelopes 2006 and this Technical Update has been prepared to give guidance on the interpretation of watertightness tests. Itis for the Testing Authority to exercise judgement when assessing the significance of any water leakage under test however all parties should be mindful that continuing the test beyond the serviceability condition may lead to damage which prejudices repeat tests in the event that the watertightness testis not deemed acceptable Any leakage should be investigated and the wall should only be considered to have passed the test ifthe leakage can be satisfactorily explained and means of preventing its occurrence identified. Situations in which the specimen might be considered to pass the test include where a detail causing a leak occurs several times in the test specimen and the leak only ‘occurs ata single location where there is an identifiable fault in the assembly. 1" ©cwcr 2008Technical Update 12 cevtee fon WINDOW2 CLADDING Redundancy of fixings Fixings have a higher risk of failure than monolithic metal components hence higher safety factors are normally applied. The Approved Document to Part A of the Building regulations requires that cladding fixings are able to transmit loads on the cladding to the primary structure. In considering the safety of fixings account should be taken of whether the fixings are redundant or non redundant but non-redundant fixings are not prohibited, The CWCT Standard (2006) requires that fixings shall be designed such that failure of any one connection does not lead to progressive failure of adjacent fixings. Fixings are defined as components providing the attachment of the structural frame (of the cladding) or brackets to the primary structure or backing wall. This requirement was in the CWCT Standard for walls with ventilated rainscreens but was not in the Standard for curtain walling. The requirement of the CWCT Standard is a safety requirement not a serviceability requirement. Failure of an individual fixing may allow some movement and distress to seals to take place which may require repair but components should not fall from the building This requirement may be satisfied in a number of ways. ‘+ Additional fixings can be used to give redundancy at any one bracket but it should be recognised that an additional fixing will not be in the same place and hence may not be able to resist the full load on the cladding. ‘+ Tests can be carried out to determine the capacity of secondary load transfer mechanisms to transfer load in the even of a fixing or bracket failure. 1" ‘© CWwCT 2008Technical Update 13 cenurae for WINDOW2 CLADDING Measurement of displacement Clauses 3.5.1.12 and 3.6.2.3 of the CWCT Standard for systemised building envelopes limit the amount of movement of framing members at support points. The limits are expressed in terms of the overall range of movement from position at maximum positive load to position at maximum negative load. The limits are expressed in this way as a significant element of any movement is likely to be due to clearance between components of the connection between the curtain wall and the primary structure which may allow slip under loads applied as bedding in pulses prior to the application of the test load. Assessment of compliance with these requirements requires a complete record of movement to be obtained and not just movement during application of the main test loads. The test procedure in BS EN 12179 states that the gauges are to be reset to zero after the preparation pulses and before the application of the main positive test load. This procedure is repeated for the negative load cycle. Following this procedure any slip occurring during the application of the preparatory pulses for the negative test cycle would not be recorded and it would not be possible to determine compliance with clauses 3.5.1.12 and 3.6.2.3. Itis therefore necessary to ensure that, if gauges are reset to zero at any time between the start of application of the positive load cycle and the removal of the negative test load, the gauge readings are recorded before resetting them so that a continuous record of the movement of the wall can be obtained. 1“ ‘© CWCT 2008Technical Update 14 ceuree fon WINDOW2 CLADDING Load Combinations Introduction ‘The CWCT Standard for systemised building envelopes, Clause 2.3.1 states that ‘Live loads other than snow load, do not act concurrently with the maximum wind load’ This raises two issues: + IF wind load is considered to act concurrently with snow load, is it necessary to consider both loads acting at their maximum value? ‘+ Whilst itis unlikely that live loads will act concurrently with the maximum wind load, it is not impossible for this to occur and it is probable that if ive loads occur there will be some wind load acting, This clause therefore requires clarification. ‘Combination of wind load and snow load The reference to snow and wind load acting in combination was introduced in the CWCT Standard for slope glazing and followed recommendations in BS 5516: 1991 which recommended combining wind and snow loads at their maximum values. BS5516: 1991 has been supersaded by BS 5516: 2004 which applies a reduction factor of 0.6 to one of the loads. Thus design should be carried out for: ‘+ wind load plus 0.6 snow load, + snow load plus 0.6 wind load, Whichever gives the more severe loading action. In assessing the severity of loading action due account should also be made for the effect of load duration on structural performance and glass selection, {tis recommended that the load combinations given above from 8S 5516: 2004 should be adopted for the design of systemised building envelopes. Live loads on facades ‘The CWCT Standard identifies the following live loads: 1. Maintenance loads 2. Loads due to building occupants 3. Wind load on permanent fixtures Maintenance loads are highly unlikely to occur concurrently with the maximum wind load as maintenance work should be suspended when severe weather likely to give rise to high wind is forecast. It is therefore unnecessary to consider maintenance loads acting concurrently with the maximum wind loads. Maintenance loads will normally be very much less than the maximum wind load so that the combination of maintenance load and a lower level of wind load is unlikely to be more critical than the maximum wind load on its own. 12 @cwer 2009cwer Tuts Wind load on permanent fixtures will always occur concurrently with the wind load on the facade For a predominately glass fagade it might be prudent for building occupants to be kept well back from the facade when severe winds approaching the maximum design wind load are forecast and as a result occupancy loads would not occur concurrently with the maximum wind load. However, this cannot be guaranteed and itis therefore necessary to consider the combination of occupancy loads and wind loads. Depending on the nature of the building, occupancy loads may be equal to, or even exceed, the wind load for some parts of the fagade. It has however been common practice for many years to assume that wind load does ‘not occur concurrently with live loads and there is no evidence that this has given rise to failures, Occupancy loads are set out in BS 6399-1. Different loads are given according to use of the building but these can be generalised as: + Areas occupied by a restricted number of people including residential and office ‘accommodation. In these areas accupancy loads are up to 1.0kN/m’ as a distributed load in the spandrel zone or 0.74kN/m as a barrier load at a height of 1.1m above floor level + Areas where people may congregate. In these areas occupancy loads are up to 4.5kN/m’ as a distributed load in the spandrel zone or 3.0kN/m as a barrier load at a height of 1.1m above floor level. * Sports stadia where reference to certifying authorities is required Wind load is a short duration (approx 3 seconds) load and the design value will occur on average once in 50 years. A wind loading regime devised by BRE to represent 50 years of wind loading suggests that a wind load equal to fity per cent of the design wind load will occur on average 24 times each year. Barrier loads are also transient loads and are likely to apply for a few minutes. No statistics are available to predict the frequency of occurrence but it is likely that these loads will rarely be applied in residential and office accommodation but may occur more frequently in areas where people congregate, ‘Occupancy loads are outward loads and only need to be considered in conjunction with ‘negative wind loads. Negative wind loads are normally greater than positive wind loads but high negative loads are limited to a small area of the fagade. {tis recommended that: * For affice and residential accommodation, design should be carried out under the wind load or the occupancy load, whichever gives the more severe loading action. + For areas where people may congregate: © Design for serviceability should be carried out under the wind load or the ‘occupancy load, whichever gives the more severe loading action, © Design for safety should be carried out under a combined load equal to the wind load plus half the occupancy load or the occupancy load plus halt the wind load whichever gives the more severe loading action.Technical Update 15 ceutee fan WINDOW2 Replacement of British Structural design codes CLADDING by Eurocodes Teewnovoey Structural design codes include codes for loading and structural design in cfferent materials. In the UK the principal codes used in the design of facades are BS 6399 for loads and BS £8118 for the structural design of aluminium UK structural design codes were withdrawn by BSi at the end of March 2010 and replaced with Eurocodes. Use of Eurocodes requires reference to the appropriate National Annex in Addition to the text of the Eurocode. The UK structural design codes are likely to continue in use for some time but they will not be updated by BSi. The CWCT Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes makes a number of references to structural design codes. This Technical Update identities the references to structural design codes in the CWCT Standard and gives the corresponding Eurocode reference. Comments ‘are also given on differences in the Eurocode and in particular omissions that will occur if the Eurocode is used in place of the UK Code. Clause inCWCT Reference to Standard UK Structural design code Part 2 224 ‘The clause refers to BS 6399-2 for BS EN 1991-1-4 is the relevant Eurocode. It can calculation of wind loads. generally be used in place of BS 6399-2 however ‘an advisory note in the National Annex warms that the pressure coefficients for roofs in BS EN 1991-1- 4 give different results compared to BS 6399-2 and recommends using the pressure coefficients in BS6399-2. mere 223 ‘The clause states that under BS EN 1991-1-4 differs from BS 6399-2 as it normal circumstances there shall permits zoning for cladding but only for positive be no horizontal zoning of wind pressures on the windward face of the building, pressure to give lower design This change is supported by results of wind tunnel loads on the envelope nearer the tests. ground. ‘The clause in the CWCT Standard remains valid as An advisory note refers to normally cladding design is governed by negative BS 6399-2 to justify this advice. pressures and zoning of horizontal positive pressures is seldom of benefit Vs © cwcT 2010233 2.3.3 23.3 Part 3 3.5.2.2 35.2.4 and 35.25 Part7 727A ‘The clause refers to BS 6399-1 for horizontal occupancy loads. The clause states that the load is to be applied as a line load 1100mm above finished floor level, or 2 distributed or point load on infill panels below this level Reference must be made to BS 6399-1 for values of load. The clause requires a vertical ‘occupancy load on horizontal ledges and framing members. ‘The appropriate value of the load is given in the CWCT Standard and an advisory note explains that the requirement comes from BS 6399-1. ‘The clause refers to BS 6399-3 for calculation of snow loads. The clause gives deflection limits, The advisory note refers to S81 18 as the basis for the deflection limit for spans over 7.5m. ‘These clauses give deflection limits for traming members supporting glazing, ‘The advisory note explains that BS 8118 would give different limits. The advisory note refers to BS 8118-2 for durability of aluminium alloy components ewer Tus BS EN 1991-1-1 is the relevant Eurocode. BS EN 1991-1-1 gives horizontal occupancy load in terms of a line load at the barrier height and the National Annex gives the same values as BS 6399 1 BS EN 1991-1-1 Does not give occupancy load as a distributed or point load on infil below the barrier level. Its recommended that distributed and point loads given in BS6399-1 should be retained. Itis understood that a revision to BS 6180 will also do this. BS EN 1991-1-1 does not give vertical occupancy loads. However the requirement of the CWCT Standard remains as this type of load is realistic. BS EN 1991-1-3 Is the relevant Euracode. The relevant Eurocode is BS EN 1999-1-1. This document does not give deflection limits and states that appropriate deflection limits should be agreed for a project. PD 6702-1 provides guidance on the use of BS EN 1999 and gives the same deflection limits as BS 8118. i The relevant Eurocode is BS EN 1999-1-1. This document does not give deflection limits and states that appropriate deflection limits should be agreed for a project. PD 6702-1 provides guidance on the use of BS EN 1999 and gives the same deflection limits as BS 8118. ‘The relevant Eurocode is BS EN 1999-1-1. The Eurocode follows similar advice but in somewhat greater detail © CWCT 2010,cwcT TU15 Standards BS 6399-1 Loading for buildings. Code of practice for dead and imposed loads BS 6399-2 Loading for buildings. Code of practice for wind loads BS 6399-3 Loading for buildings. Code of practice for imposed roof loads BS EN 1991-1-1 Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Densities, self-weight, imposed loads for buildings NA to BS EN 1991-1-1 UK National Annex to Eurocode 1: Actions on structures. General actions. Densities, self-weight, imposed loads for buildings BS EN 1991-1-3 Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Snow loads NA to BS EN 1991-1-3 UK National Annex to Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Snow loads BS EN 1991-1-4 Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Wind actions NA to BS EN 1991-1-4 UK National Annex to Eurocode 1. Actions on structures. General actions. Wind actions BS 8118-1 Structural use of aluminium. Code of practice for design BS 8118-2 Structural use of aluminium. Specification for materials, workmanship and protection BS EN 1999-1-1 Eurocode 9. Design of aluminium structures. General structural rules NA to BS EN 1999-1-1 UK National Annex to Eurocode 9. Design of aluminium structures. General structural rules PD 6702-1 Structural use of aluminium. Recommendations for the design of aluminium structures to BS EN 1999 3/3 © CWCT 2010Technical Update No 17 ceuree fon WINDOW2 CLADDING Calibration of test chamber for air leakage Clause 5.3.1 of the CWCT Standard test methods for building envelopes requires the specimen to be sealed with a plastic sheet so that the air leakage through the test chamber can be measured. This procedure remains valid however the essential requirement is to prevent leakage through the specimen so that leakage through the test chamber can be measured. The use of tape to seal all joints in the specimen is an alternative method of sealing a sample composed of panels of impermeable material This technique is already permitted for use in exfltration tests (Clause 5.3.3) and this Technical Update extends its use to infiltration tests. 1A © CwCT 20118.13.5 esd 269.2008 Part 8 - Testing ‘Sequence for discretionary tests When there are further tests at the discretion of the Specifier, the testing sequence shall conform. to the following pattem: ‘Air permeabiliy -inftration (Notes 1, 2 and 5). Air permeability — exfitration (Notes 1, 2 and 5) Water penetration resistance — static (Notes 1 and 3). Wind resistance ~ serviceability. Air permeability —infitration (Notes 1, 2 and 5). Air permeability ~ exftrtion (Notes 1, 2 and 5). Water penetration resistance ~ static (Note tand 3) Water penetration resistance — dynamic. Impact ~ serviceability Air permeability - infiltration (Notes 1, 2 and 5). Air permeability — exfltration (Notes 1, 2 and 5) Water penetration resistance - static (Note 1 and 3.) Building movement regime. Air permeabiliy —infitrtion (Notes 1, 2 and §). Air permeability — exfitration (Notes 1, 2 and 5). ‘Water penetration resistance — static (Note 1 and 3), Ooc000mmmmees 2 Thermal eyeting regime. D_Air permeability — infitration (Notes 1, 2 and 5). Air permeability -exfitration (Notes 1, 2 and 5). 2 Water penetration resistance - static (Notes 1 and 3). Hose test (Note 3) 1m Wind resistance - safety. mt Impact - safety. 2 Load tests (other than wind load). Additional rainscreen tests (Note 4) | Dismantie inspect and record. Tests marked m are mandatory, while those marked © are at the discretion of the Specifier. Note 1: An air permeabilty and water penetration resistance test ~ static shall be carried out between each discretionary loading regime in order to assess any reduction in performance caused by the loading. ‘Note 2: To save time and costs, air permeability tests, other than the fist and last tests, may be simplified by reducing the number of pressure increments but not the peak test pressure However, if there is @ marked change in air leakage rate the air permeabilty tast should be repeated with measurements taken at all ofthe pressure increments. Similarly, checking for raughts is not required other than on the first and! last tests. ‘Note 3: Not applicable to open jointed systems. Note 4: Tasting of wind loading on rainscreen panels. Note 5: This test is not applicable to rainscreens with a separate backing wall, ‘The provisions of Ciause 8.12.3 apply to the mandatory tests in this sequence. The Specifier shall decicle whether these clauses apply to the discretionary tests, 0