Testing Protocol Library

Challenges the glazed assembly, door, shutter, or protective system with the missile level and impact locations required by the applicable code and approval route.

What the laboratory controls

The laboratory builds the listed specimen, records the anchors, glazing, hardware, reinforcements, and supports, then applies the prescribed impacts at critical locations.

Evidence to preserve

Preserve the specimen drawings, impact locations, missile data, photos, damage observations, openings or tears, glazing retention, and every deviation from the approved construction.

Pass criteria

Under the 2023 Florida Building Code HVHZ route, LMI means large missile impact. Three complete assembled specimens, including their frames and anchorage, must each reject the two required impacts without penetration. The missile is a nominal 2 by 4 timber weighing 9 pounds. Standard impact speed is 50 feet per second. For Risk Category IV essential facilities up to and including 30 feet above grade, the speed is 80 feet per second; above 30 feet, Section 1626.3.1 requires large-missile testing at 50 feet per second. Impact survival alone is not a pass. The impacted specimens must then complete the Table 1626 positive and negative cyclic-pressure sequence with no air-passing crack longer than 5 inches and 1/16 inch wide. TAS 203 also requires no resultant failure or distress and at least 90 percent recovery from maximum deflection. See FBC 2023 Sections 1626.2.1 through 1626.3.1 and Table 1626, TAS 201 Section 12.1, and TAS 203 Sections 3.10 and 6.5.

Evaluates air infiltration, water penetration, structural loading, deflection, permanent deformation, and forced-entry resistance where required by the product and approval route.

What the laboratory controls

The chamber, pressure taps, calibrated airflow, water rack, displacement instruments, specimen perimeter, anchorage, locks, and forced-entry apparatus where applicable must represent the proposed approval configuration.

Evidence to preserve

Preserve air leakage, water observations, pressure stages, deflection locations, residual deformation, glass and frame behavior, seal conditions, forced-entry sequence and observations where applicable, and the signed laboratory report.

Pass criteria

For the TAS 202 structural sequence, maintain each half-load and full positive and negative test load for the protocol-required 30 seconds. Separately, where FBC Section 1709.5.2 applies, test at 1.5 times the required ASD design pressure for at least 10 seconds. If the starting pressure is based on ASCE 7 ultimate design wind loads, multiply by 0.6 where the code permits before determining the allowable or nominal test pressure. Water and air results must satisfy the adopted protocol, rating, approval, or project acceptance criteria. Forced-entry requirements apply where required by the product route.

Applies the required positive and negative pressure cycle sequence after impact when the impact-rated HVHZ route requires it.

What the laboratory controls

The specimen remains in its tested impact condition. The laboratory applies the protocol-defined pressure stages and cycles while monitoring distress, openings, disengagement, and loss of protection.

Evidence to preserve

Preserve the exact cycle schedule, pressure-time history, interruptions, repairs, component distress, final condition, and pass or fail basis. The current adopted protocol controls the cycle counts and pressure levels.

Pass criteria

The impacted specimens must complete the full positive and negative cycle schedule at the required pressures without specimen failure. TAS 203 identifies cracking, fastener loosening, local yielding, or loss of adhesive bond as signs of deterioration or incipient failure. The FBC acceptance route also controls prohibited openings and any permitted retest.

Measures deflection, distress, and residual deformation under positive and negative pressure.

Pass criteria

Method only. Pass at the FBC route means no structural failure at the required test pressure and duration. Project, approval, or product standard limits still govern deflection, permanent set, glass, hardware, and operability.

Measures air passing through a defined specimen area at a stated pressure difference.

Pass criteria

Method only. Pass means measured leakage does not exceed the code, NAFS rating, approval, or project limit. The specimen area, operable joints, and perimeter treatment must match that basis.

Applies calibrated water while maintaining a uniform static pressure difference.

Pass criteria

Pass means no water penetration as defined by the governing specification during the required pressure and duration. ASTM supplies the method. The project, product standard, or code supplies the pressure and acceptance basis.

Uses repeated static pressure periods with continuous water application.

Pass criteria

Pass means no defined water penetration through the assembly at the specified pressure sequence. The specifying document controls pressure, cycle timing, test area, and permitted observations.

Procedure A addresses service-life cycling. Procedure B addresses a wind-event sequence.

Pass criteria

Method only. Pass requires completing the specified cycles without failure or unacceptable distress, and satisfying the residual deformation, operability, and other limits written into the project or product specification.

E1886 provides the test procedure. E1996 supplies missile, impact, wind-zone, and pressure-cycle criteria.

Pass criteria

Pass is determined by the paired standards plus the adopted code. The correct missile level, impacts, pressure schedule, and breach criteria must all be satisfied. E1886 alone does not create an impact rating.

Uses a chamber and calibrated spray to test an installed wall or fenestration area.

Pass criteria

Pass means no water penetration within the tested area under the pressure, duration, area, and definition in the project specification. The result applies to the sampled installation and interfaces. It does not verify every installation condition on the project.

Measures air leakage through installed exterior windows and doors.

Pass criteria

Method only. Pass means measured field leakage is within the specified allowance. The project must define the pressure, test boundary, area calculation, perimeter treatment, and allowable leakage rate.

Rates windows, doors, and unit skylights for air, water, structural, operating, and other product requirements.

Pass criteria

Pass requires meeting every requirement for the claimed product type, Performance Class, and Performance Grade. A high structural result does not erase a lower water or air result.

Uses a calibrated wind generator with water spray to test a specified laboratory mock-up or installed wall area under dynamic pressure.

Pass criteria

Pass means no defined water penetration at the specified dynamic pressure and exposure. The project specification sets the pressure and acceptance definition.

Uses the prescribed hose-nozzle procedure as a localized quality-control and diagnostic check of installed joints.

Pass criteria

Pass means no water leakage at the joint segment under the prescribed nozzle check. It does not establish a whole-wall pressure rating and does not replace AAMA 501.1, 503, or ASTM E1105.

Field verifies sampled newly installed fenestration products for air leakage and water penetration.

Pass criteria

Pass means the sampled installation meets the field air and water allowances tied to the specified or rated product performance. The adopted edition and project documents control sampling and permitted field allowances.

Field verifies sampled newly installed storefronts, curtain walls, and sloped glazing for air and water performance.

Pass criteria

Pass means the sampled installed area meets the specified or rated level with the field allowances recognized by the adopted edition. Test pressure, area, sampling, and repairs must be documented.

Rates fenestration resistance to hurricane debris impact and subsequent pressure cycling.

Pass criteria

Pass requires the selected impact and cycling level to be completed for the claimed rating and code route. The 2023 FBC references AAMA 506-16. A newer publisher edition is not automatically the adopted edition.

Flat-glass quality and dimensional requirements.

Pass criteria

Pass requires the glass to meet the specified quality, dimensional, and blemish limits for its type and quality designation.

Heat-treated flat glass.

Pass criteria

Pass requires the specified heat-strengthened or fully tempered glass to satisfy applicable flatness, surface compression, fragmentation, and other requirements. C1048 compliance does not establish safety-glazing compliance.

Laminated architectural flat glass.

Pass criteria

Pass requires the specified laminated construction to meet applicable dimensional, visual, and quality requirements. Weathering and short-term heat or boil evaluations are addressed separately by ASTM C1900 and ASTM C1914.

Weathering and evaluation of laminated architectural glass.

Pass criteria

Apply the adopted procedure and evaluation criteria to the specified laminated construction.

Short-term heat and boil exposures for laminated architectural flat glass.

Pass criteria

The specified specimens must satisfy the applicable visual criteria after the prescribed exposure.

Glass load-resistance design practice.

Pass criteria

This is a design practice, not a product test. Evaluate the specified glass construction, dimensions, support conditions, load duration, and probability-of-breakage basis within the practice's scope. Separately verify framing, retention, anchors, and connections.

Insulating glass durability.

Pass criteria

Pass requires the specimens to satisfy the applicable frost or dew-point and fogging criteria after the prescribed weathering exposures. State the adopted edition and tested IGU construction.

Dense and cellular glazing gaskets and related elastomers.

Pass criteria

These standards establish material or test-method requirements for specified gasket and elastomer products. Compliance does not by itself establish chemical compatibility, glazing bite, retention, or full-system performance. Verify those separately.

Elastomeric joint sealants.

Pass criteria

Pass requires the specified type, grade, class, use, substrate, movement, adhesion, and durability requirements. C920 compliance does not qualify a sealant for structural silicone glazing.

Structural silicone sealants.

Pass criteria

Pass requires the structural sealant to satisfy the specified material requirements. Structural bite, joint geometry, substrate adhesion, compatibility, design stress, cure, and full-system load transfer require separate project-specific verification.

A pendulum-type impactor strikes representative glazing. The evaluation addresses whether the glazing withstands impact or breaks in a manner that satisfies the applicable safety criteria. Classification, permanent marking, specimen construction, and the adopted edition must match the project.

Pass criteria

Meet the required impact class and safe-breakage or retention criteria for the code-required location.

The federal standard establishes architectural glazing safety requirements. Florida Building Code Chapter 24 identifies where ANSI Z97.1 or CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 applies. The required category depends on the product and exposed lite area. For applicable door glazing, the 9-square-foot threshold affects the Category I or Category II requirement. Other hazardous locations can have different requirements.

Pass criteria

Meet the required Category I or Category II impact and breakage criteria for the hazardous location.

Frame, edge, spacer, glazing, and product geometry contribute to the rating. Lower U-factor means less heat transfer. The procedure produces a rating; the code or project sets the maximum permitted value.

Rating

Heat transfer through the complete product

SHGC and VT are rated for the product configuration, not only the center of glass. Lower SHGC admits less solar heat. Higher VT admits more visible light. The governing compliance path determines the acceptable limits.

Rating

Solar gain and daylight through the complete product

Florida Building Code Chapter 17 recognizes ANSI/DASMA 108, ASTM E330 Procedure A, or TAS 202 for structural qualification, with TAS 202 required in HVHZ.

Product route

Florida Building Code Chapter 17 recognizes ANSI/DASMA 108, ASTM E330 Procedure A, or TAS 202 for structural qualification, with TAS 202 required in HVHZ. For wind-borne debris protection, Section 1609.1.2 points garage and rolling doors to ANSI/DASMA 115. ASTM E1996 expressly directs these products to that route.

For wind-borne debris protection, Section 1609.1.2 points garage and rolling doors to ANSI/DASMA 115. ASTM E1996 expressly directs these products to that route.

Product route

Florida Building Code Chapter 17 recognizes ANSI/DASMA 108, ASTM E330 Procedure A, or TAS 202 for structural qualification, with TAS 202 required in HVHZ. For wind-borne debris protection, Section 1609.1.2 points garage and rolling doors to ANSI/DASMA 115. ASTM E1996 expressly directs these products to that route.