Empowering Construction with Reliable Testing Expertise Services in India
1.Lab Test
a) PMU Test (Curtain Wall)
B) PMU Test (Doors & Windows)
C) Glass Test
D) Balustrade/Railing
E) Thermographic Inspection
F) Louvre Test
G) Acoustic Test
G) Smoke Test
G) Window Misuse Test
G) Skylight Fragility Test
2.On Site Test
Onsite Chamber Test is conducted to evaluate the performance of installed building components—such as curtain walls, doors, and windows—under controlled conditions. This test measures air infiltration, water penetration, and structural loading to verify that the installed systems meet required performance standards. It also helps identify any potential issues before the building is occupied, ensuring safety, durability, and compliance.
Standards: ASTM E 783, ASTM E 1105, ASTM E 330, AAMA 502, AAMA 503
Smoke Test is used to visually identify air leaks in the building envelope. By pressurizing the building and releasing smoke, any leaks are revealed as the smoke escapes through cracks or gaps in the structure. This test helps pinpoint areas where air or water infiltration can occur, which may affect energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and the overall structural integrity of the building.
Smoke Test
Anchors pull testing is usually performed with an objective to measure the performance of the anchor installation and to verify whether it can pull out forces or not. In simpler terms, it establishes the load capacity strength of fixings that have been installed or fitted into slabs, walls, soffits etc.
Anchor Pull out Test
Whole Building Air Tightness Testing is specifically designed to ascertaining the air tightness of a building envelope. This test essentially tracks unintentional introduction of air through the outside envelope of a building from any of its structural components like
- Walls
- Windows
- Doors
- Roofs
Other Structural Elements
By detecting and quantifying its air leaks, we assist in ensuring that the building stands up to the highest levels of energy efficiency, sustainability, and performance.
Air Tightness Testing
Impact test
Impact testing for facade ensures the resistance of facade materials to sudden impacts. It simulates real-world hazards like flying debris, accidental collisions, or vandalism, helping to identify weaknesses and improve design.
Standards: BS EN 14019
Acoustic testing for façade focuses on measuring the sound insulation performance of a building’s exterior walls to minimize noise transmission from outdoors into the interior. These tests help ensure that the facade effectively reduces noise levels, improving comfort and well-being for occupants. The primary goal is to quantify how much sound is transmitted through the facade, usually by measuring the sound pressure levels in both the outdoor and indoor environments.
Standards: ASTM E 966, ASTM E 1332
Acoustic Testing
Spray Bar Test
Spray bar test as per BS EN 13051 or CWCT Section 10.
Test Procedure
- Turned on the water supply and adjusted to provide a constant flow for 30 minutes,
equivalent to 5 l/min per meter length of spray bar. - Inspected the inside of the specimen, once test was started.
- After completion of the test continued to inspect for water leakage for 30 minutes.
- Inspection for water leakage was done and recorded it.
Air Infiltration/Exfiltration test helps determines the amount of air leakage, which directly impacts a building’s energy efficiency and overall performance. Air infiltration can significantly reduce a building’s energy efficiency by allowing conditioned air to escape through leaks in the building envelope, increasing heating and cooling costs. Testing helps identify these leaks and allows for corrective actions to minimize energy loss. Air leakage can draw in pollutants from outside, impacting indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
Standards: ASTM E 283, BS EN 1026, BS EN 12153, CWCT Section 5, AS/NZS 4284, IS 18472, AS 4420.1
Air Infiltration / Exfiltration Test
Static Water Penetration Test
Static water penetration test for a facade is conducted to check its ability to resist water infiltration under controlled, static conditions. This helps ensure the building’s envelope is adequately protected from moisture, preventing damage and potential issues. The test simulates real-world conditions by applying water pressure and observing for leakage, allowing for identification of weaknesses in the facade’s design or installation. The test verifies that the facade system, including materials, joints, and seals, effectively prevent water from entering the building.
Standards: ASTM E 331, BS EN 1027, BS EN 12155, CWCT Section 6, AS/NZS 4284, IS 18459, AS 4420.1
Cyclic water penetration test for a facade to evaluate and validate its ability to withstand water infiltration under various simulated conditions, including cyclic pressure changes and wind-driven rain.
Standards: ASTM E 547, AS/NZS 4284
Cyclic Water Penetration Test
Dynamic Water Penetration Test
Dynamic water penetration test for a facade is to check its resistance to water intrusion under real-world conditions, simulating wind-driven rain. This test mimic how water and wind interact with a building’s exterior under various pressures and spray rates. By applying controlled water spray and wind pressure, the test identifies any weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the facade’s sealing, detailing, and overall construction that could lead to water leakage.
Standards: AAMA 501.1, CWCT Section 7
Structural performance test ensures the accuracy, structural capacity and suitability of the facade design for the specific project. It is a proactive measure to ensure a safe, durable, and high-performing building envelope, ultimately benefiting the safety of occupants and reducing long-term maintenance costs. Following structural performance test, repeat air infiltration and static water penetration shall be conducted to evaluate the performance post design wind pressure application.
Standards: ASTM E 330, BS EN 12211, BS EN 12179, CWCT Section 11, CWCT Section 12, AS/NZS 4284, IS 18473, AS 4420.1
Structural Performance Test& Proof Load Test
Seismic Test& Vertical Displacement Test
Seismic testing / vertical displacement testing verifies that the façade can accommodate the movements caused by earthquakes, differential settlement, live load and ensuring the safety of occupants and the public. It is essential for understanding the seismic strength of a particular façade design and construction. These testing process involves measuring how well a structure can resist structural movement caused by a variety of factors. This tests helps to determine if the facade’s components (like glazing, sealants, and connections) can withstand the stresses of building movements without failure.
Standards: AAMA 501.4, AAMA 501.7, CWCT Section 17, AS/NZS 4284
Thermal cycling tests simulate the temperature fluctuations a facade will experience throughout its lifespan, verifying its ability to withstand these conditions and meet intended performance requirements. Thermal cycling tests help determine how different materials used in the facade interact with each other under temperature changes, identifying potential compatibility issues that could lead to failure.
Standards: AAMA 501.5,CWCT Section 18
Thermal Cycling Test
Seal Degradation Test
Seal Degradation test involves removing portions of seals and gaskets during testing, engineers can assess how the facade’s performance changes when seals fail or degrade. This helps determine the potential impact of seal failure on water penetration.
Standards: AS/NZS 4284
BMU pull out test verify that the BMU restraint pin can withstand the loads and stresses it will encounter during routine use, including those from wind, worker weight, and equipment. The pull-out test helps identify any weaknesses in the BMU’s components, such as the cradle restraint system, pins, or cables, ensuring they can securely hold the system in place during operation.
Standards: AS/NZS 4284
BMU Pull Out Test
Glass Test
Glass testing ensures that the glass used in the facade is of high quality and meets the required specifications, minimizing potential problems during construction or later in the building’s lifespan.
Surface compression test is used to measure stress on the glass. Surface compression shall be measured by light refraction methods such as GASP or similar methods.
Surface Compression Test (SCALP)
Fragmentation Test
Fragmentation Test is conducted to determine the glass’s breakage pattern when fractured, ensuring it meets safety standards.
Glass Roller Wave Test is used to quantify and assess the optical distortion, specifically the peak-to-valley depth and wavelength, that occurs in heat-treated glass, such as tempered or heat-strengthened glass. This distortion, known as roller wave, is caused by the slight sagging of the glass as it passes over rollers during the tempering process.
Roller Wave
Edge Lift
Edge Lift Test helps to identify and quantify “edge lift,” which refers to the distortion or unevenness that can occur at the edges of the glass due to the heat treatment process.
Thickness, Dimensions and Squareness Test is conducted to ensure that the glass has accurate measurements and proper squareness, which are essential for correct installation, a precise fit within frames, and the prevention of alignment issues.
Thickness, Dimensions and Squareness Test
Overall Bow Test
Overall Bow Test is used to measure the bowing of glass (deviation in flatness), where the surface curves instead of remaining perfectly flat. This deviation is assessed using feeler gauges to determine the gap between the glass and a straight edge. The purpose of the test is to ensure quality and safety, as excessive bowing can cause optical distortion, structural weaknesses, and potential safety hazards.
Balustrade / Railing Test is essential for validating the safety and performance of railing systems. Railings act as physical barriers, preventing individuals from falling from heights, and are commonly used in high-rise buildings, hospitals, malls, airports, residential structures, and more. It is crucial that their designs are validated through specific testing measures. Conducting these tests not only ensures compliance with safety standards but also enhances user confidence in the reliability of railing systems. The following tests are typically conducted for railings:
- Infill load test,
- Uniformly distributed load test,
- Concentrated load test,
- Impact test
Standards: ASTM E 935, ASTM E 2353, ASTM E 2358, BS 6180
Balustrade / Railing Test
Glazed Roof Fragility Test - Skylight Fragility Test – CWCT TN 66 & 67
This test is aimed specifically at glazed roofs which are not accessible by the public but where people carrying out maintenance to the roof, or to other equipment mounted on the roof, may walk, fall or drop objects onto the glazed part of the roof.
The safety issues concern the safety of people below the roof and people who may be on the roof. People below the roof may be affected if the glass breaks and falls or if objects fall through the glass. People on the roof may fall onto the glass and be injured by contact with the glass or by falling through the glass.
Fragility test sequence has been devised to provide a standard industry approach to the testing of glazed roofs. The test sequence includes the following elements
- A soft body impact test to represent impacts from people.
- A hard body impact test to represent impacts from tools and equipment.
- A static load test to demonstrate residual strength of the glazing if the glass breaks.
Glazed Roof Fragility Test is conducted to determine whether a skylight (a section of glass or glazing in a roof) is strong enough to withstand the impact of a person falling onto it and capable of supporting their weight. The test classifies the skylight as either “fragile” or “non-fragile,” which is crucial for safety. This classification helps ensure that individuals on or below the roof are not injured by falling through the glazing or by glass shards. The test simulates a person falling onto the skylight by dropping a sandbag from a specified height to generate a defined impact energy. It also assesses the skylight’s ability to support the weight of a person—such as an injured individual or a rescuer—by placing a load on the glass, even if it has broken.
Standards: CWCT TN 66, 67, CWCT Section 16
Weather Louvre Test is conducted to evaluate the performance of a weather louvre, which is designed to restrict water penetration during rainfall while allowing airflow into or out of an air distribution system or part of a building. The test simulates heavy rainfall combined with wind pressure directed at the louvre surface. It helps determine the weather louvre’s effectiveness, as well as its discharge and entry loss coefficients..
Standards: BS EN 13030
Louvre Test
Water Hose Test
Onsite Water Hose Test is performed onsite to ensure that the facade is properly sealed to prevent water ingress into the building. This test offers a practical and reliable method for verifying the watertight performance of the facade and helps identify any potential issues before they result in damage or operational problems.
Standards: AAMA 501.2, CWCT Section 9, CWCT TN 41
Thermographic inspection used to detect heat variations on surfaces by measuring infrared radiation. This practice is based on the principle that air infiltrating through an air leakage joint will be at different temperature than the interior surface temperatures which can be detected by infrared scanning equipment. This inspection is one of the tools to identify the air leakage in the building envelopes.
Thermography is a type of photography that uses infrared radiated wavelengths to record images that show a temperature gradient. It can be also referred to as ‘thermal imaging’ or ‘infra- red imaging’.
Thermographic Inspection
Window Misuse Test – AAMA 910-16
- To verify the structural integrity of the hold open arm/stay bar assembly when the vent is in the fully extended cleaning position.
- Load setup shall be connected to specimen with load cell.
- Required load shall be applied and maintained for minimum 10 seconds.
- Release the load and check the condition of open arm and operation of window.
Ad-hoc Testing do not follow a particular standard.. For example: if a client request for a test which do not fall under any standards we call it as Ad-hoc testing. In an Ad-hoc Testing the standard as well as equipment is arranged as per client requirement which will be designed and executed by Eminent International Testing Centre.
Ad-hoc Testing
Thermography Test
A thermography test on a facade system involves using infrared thermography to assess the thermal performance of the building’s exterior. This non-destructive testing method helps identify issues related to heat loss, insulation deficiencies, moisture intrusion, and structural problems.
- Equipment: An infrared camera is used to capture thermal images of the facade. These cameras detect heat emitted from surfaces, allowing for the visualization of temperature variations.
- Purpose:
Heat Loss Detection: Identify areas where heat is escaping, indicating poor insulation or gaps.Moisture Detection: Spot potential moisture issues by identifying cooler areas that may suggest water intrusion.
Structural Integrity: Assess the condition of materials and components, as differences in temperature can indicate deterioration or damage.
- Procedure:
Preparation: Ensure the building is at a stable temperature, ideally with a significant difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures for better results.Scanning: Move the infrared camera along the facade, capturing images of the surface temperatures.
Analysis: Review the thermal images to pinpoint anomalies that require further investigation or remediation
Balustrade Load Test
Balustrade load tests are often required to validate design calculations, demonstrate the quality of the installation, or confirm the safety and suitability of barriers.
cylinders with pumps and connected pressure gauge are used to apply the load on the glass balustrade and deflection of the system is calculated.