Guiding Principles for Installation of Exterior Windows and Doors

Guiding Principles for Installation of Exterior Windows and Doors

R. Christopher Mathis

ASTM, October 23, 2006

R. Christopher Mathis

ASTM, October 23, 2006

RecapRecapPrevious recommendations for:

Structure

Work effort

Scientific back-up

Customer focus

A Two Slide Summary from the presentations last ASTM meeting – April 2006

Previous Recommendations (1)Previous Recommendations (1)Divide and Conquer

Break the “Principles” out into a stand alone document. Others parts also into stand alone documents. Common style. Minimize repetition.

Work on it Here Do it at ASTM versus in multiple organizations

and places. Work to the common good.

Previous Recommendations (2)Previous Recommendations (2)Build a Scientific Foundation

Recommendations based on data – not speculation. Publish lab test results, field test results.

KNOW the boundary conditions/limits

Plan for CustomersKnow WHO each part is written for. Focus on

new construction first. Focus on the specification community first.

Some CustomersSome Customers Standards Writers

Architects

Specifiers

Builders and Remodelers “How To” training aids

What a good job looks like

What a good job does

Code Officials Possibly, or another

document specifically focusing on delivered performance compliance

It is CRITICALLY important to know the limits of each document’s knowledge base. Do NOT extend any recommendations beyond the substantiating data we have that backs them up! Plan to prevent their misuse!

New Organization PlanNew Organization Plan

E T C .

S td . fo r M eta l S tud Fra m ing

S td . fo r F ra m e W a lls

S td . fo r M aso nry W a lls

W a ll T ype S td s. A p p lica tio n o f the G .P .s

E T C .

S ea lan ts

S i lls

A n ch o rs

A nc i lla ry T o p ics

G u id in g P r inc ip les

From the Summer Interim Meeting

Now, on to

The Guiding Principles

The Guiding PrinciplesThe Guiding Principles

We didn’t get “divine” guidance, so we had to do the best we could with our small brains…

Governing ConceptsGoverning ConceptsPrinciples-based

Focus on the Goals, NOT the details of “how”How goes into other documents

SimpleEasy for the common installer, builder, user to

understand

GP ScopeGP Scope Suitability for Use

Product must…

Preparation Wall must…

Installation Basics Square, plumb, level, anchored…

Integration System must…

1. Suitability for Use1. Suitability for UseThe Product Must:

Meet the requirements of the codeAir, water, structural, energy, impact, etc.

Meet the requirements of its intended useWhere in the wall (mid-wall versus corners)Where in the building (low versus high)Type of building (house versus hospital)Type of exposure (protected versus exposed)Where in the climate zone (wind/rain exposures)

A lot of this is included in the DP rating…

Design Pressure RatingsDesign Pressure Ratings

• Wind speed• Exposure• Importance factor• Mean roof height• Unit size• Wall location

Importance factor(building category)

Exposure(B or C)

Wind speed

Mean roof height

30’

Six basic elements are used to calculate design pressure ratings

Wall Zone

Unit Size

What Does “Suitability” Mean?What Does “Suitability” Mean?You have to FIRST select the right window

for the job!Know the Code requirements

Know the DP ratings needed for the specific application and location

Gotta know these things before you can even BEGIN to make installation decisions!

Wind Zone150 mph140 mph130 mph120 mph110 mph100 mph

90 mph

Location Matters!Location Matters!

And these wind speed issues are NOT limited to Coastal conditions!

Suitability and Water ExposureSuitability and Water ExposureMake sure the PRODUCT is suitable for

the expected water exposure

Make sure the WALL SYSTEM is suitable for the expected water exposure

Gotta know these things before you can even BEGIN to make suitable installation decisions!

2. Preparation2. PreparationThe wall must be APPROPRIATE for the

window selectedStructurally, water management, material

compatibility, etc.

The wall must be READY for the window selectedProper framing, square, level, etc.

Dry? Yes, we know this is not a standard on how to build walls… But we can’t properly install a window if the WALL isn’t ready!

Wait a Minute…Wait a Minute…I thought we were here to discuss

WINDOW INSTALLATION?

Yes, however we MUST address “suitability” and “preparation” first, or we can never hope to have a proper and performing installation

(1) Right product for the job, and

(2) A wall that is ready for the product

3. Installation Basics3. Installation BasicsMore than just “water management”

“Square, Plumb, Level”

AnchoredAppropriate for the application and load

Integrated

ALL are required to get ANY of the desired performance…

4. Integrated4. IntegratedWas is Integrated?

Appropriate for the wall system planned

Appropriate for the water management system planned

Successfully integrated with the wall structural and water management systems

Remember: You must KNOW what water management approach is planned BEFORE trying to install the window…

Principles of Water ManagementPrinciples of Water Management Deflection

Why we have shingles and siding…

Drainage Why we have air spaces and drainage planes

Drying Why we don’t want to trap moisture in walls

Durability How long is this supposed to last? Jim K’s list…

More on Water ManagementMore on Water ManagementHow much water do I have to manage?

Then, TWO choices:

(1) DRAIN IT

(2) BLOCK IT

BOTH are tough to do right and well…

Choices depend on the window, wall, wind and rain exposure, and risk tolerance…

“Drain It” Principles“Drain It” Principles Gravity is our friend

And it’s the LAW!

Direct the Water! Down and out

Many opportunities to direct the water

Must work with overall wall water management plan and system

Give the water a place to go!

“Be the raindrop” Horizontal or vertical

furring?

How big is that crack?

Will the wind find this hole?

Don’t expect the window to work if the wall doesn’t…

“Block It” Principles“Block It” Principles Submarine concept

Small holes matter

Wall system must be: Sealed

Continuous

Robust

Impervious to water

Everything must be “compatible” Gotta stick together

For a long time

In a lot of conditions Hot Temperatures Cold Temperatures Rain, Snow, Sleet Dirt, Mud, Dust

And if you think you can DO this, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’m trying to sell…

Where Do We Go From Here?Where Do We Go From Here?New Text on “Guiding Principles”

Additional refinement to other Work Tasks?Wall Standards

Masonry, wood, etc.

Supporting StandardsFlashing, sealants, anchors, etc.

Organization PlanOrganization Plan

E T C .

S td . fo r M eta l S tud Fra m ing

S td . fo r F ra m e W a lls

S td . fo r M aso nry W a lls

W a ll T ype S td s. A p p lica tio n o f the G .P .s

E T C .

S ea lan ts

S i lls

A n ch o rs

A nc i lla ry T o p ics

G u id in g P r inc ip les

From the Summer Interim Meeting

Revisions UnderwayRevisions Underway

Guiding Principles

Suitability

Preparation

Fundamentals

Integration

Product Selection, Intended Use, Air, Water, Structural, Thermal, Wind Exposure, Code, Climate, etc.

Wall basics, water management system to be employed, labor training and skills, material protection, etc.

Square, Plumb, Level, Anchored, Integrated – each applied to the window and wall system being employed

Integration with the wall/roof water management system planned, material compatibility, construction scheduling, etc.

Other Standards Will Cover…Other Standards Will Cover…

Wall Standards

Wood Frame

Metal Frame

SIPS

Other

Structural basics, Water management basics, window integration plan basics

Structural basics, Water management basics, window integration plan basics

Structural basics, Water management basics, window integration plan basics

Structural basics, Water management basics, window integration plan basics

Additional Work in DevelopmentAdditional Work in Development

Supporting Standards

Flashing

Sealants

Anchoring

Other

Material basics, operational classes, limitations of use, best practice, etc.

Material basics, operational classes, limitations of use, best practice, etc.

Material basics, operational classes, limitations of use, best practice, etc.

Material basics, operational classes, limitations of use, best practice, etc.

Slightly Revised Org ChartSlightly Revised Org Chart

S uitab ili ty P re pa ra tion

F u nd a m e nta ls In te gra tion

E tc .

M e ta l S tud

F ra m e W a lls

M a so n ry W a lls

W all Type S tds.

E tc .

T e sting

In sta lla tion D e ta i ls

F lash in g In te gra tion

W a te r M g m tD ra in a ge In s t.

B a rr ie r Ins t.

A pp lica tion o f G Ps

E tc .

S ea lan ts

S i lls

A n ch o rs

A ncilla ry Top ics

G uiding Principles

Water Management Standards?Water Management Standards?

“Drain It” Standard “Block It” Standard

Fundamentals of water drainage, construction techniques that ensure drainage, minimum air space requirements, impediments to draining, test methods to assess drainage performance, inspection to ensure drainage, durability issues, flashing integration, sealant usage, common problems, performance risks, etc.

Fundamentals of barrier systems, construction techniques that ensure barriers, minimum barrier requirements, impediments to barrier implementation, test methods to assess barrier performance, inspection to determine compliance, durability issues, common problems, performance risks, etc.

Is this “Application of the Guiding Principles”?

Guiding Principles Objectives, Suitability, Preparation, Fundamentals, Integration

Walls GP Applications Ancillary

Wood Frame

Metal Frame

Masonry

SIPS

Other wall and system types

Structural, materials, best practice, limitations, risks, etc.

General “How To” basics, for all applications and situations and performance attributes

Materials, best practice, limitations, risks, etc.

Flashing

Sealants

Anchoring

Shimming

Other supporting stds.

Water Management Basics

Air Sealing

Drain it basics Block it basics

Systems Integration

Testing (lab, field)

Inspection

Testing

Thermal Performance

Windows

Flanged

Non-flanged

Replacement

Site Built

Other window types

Types, materials, selection criteria, performance etc.

Application “Principles”, selection criteria, best practices, options, risks, specification guidance, etc.

Types TypesComponents,

Other Standards

ApplicationObjectives

and Practices

Guiding Principles

Design Objectives, Suitability, Preparation, Fundamentals, Integration

Walls GP Applications Ancillary

Wood Frame

Metal Frame

Masonry

SIPS

Other wall and system types

Structural, materials, best practice, limitations, risks, etc.

General “How To” basics, for all applications and situations and performance attributes

Materials, best practice, limitations, risks, etc.

Flashing

Sealants

Anchoring

Shimming

Other supporting stds.

Water Management Basics

Air Sealing

Drain it basics Block it basics

Systems Integration

Testing (lab, field)

InspectionTesting

Thermal Performance

Windows

Flanged

Non-flanged

Replacement

Site Built

Other window types

Types, materials, selection criteria, performance etc.

Sequencing

DRAFT Standard Guideline forInstallation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights

INTRODUCTIONThis document defines the Guiding Principles for the installation of windows, doors and skylights. It is intended to provide an overall picture of the requirements and complexity associated with the successful integration of these products into wall systems. As a Guideline, it covers key issues that installers should consider when selecting a window, door or skylight for a given application. It addresses issues such as selecting products that are suitable for a particular application, the types of wall and materials preparations that should be considered when installing these products, guidance on installation basics that are almost universally applicable for these products, and key issues of proper integration – again, applicable to almost any wall system.

The elements of this Guideline have been developed by general consensus. Where applicable, experimentation and testing have been conducted to substantiate the recommendations. In the absence of testing, professional judgment and the advice of subject matter experts have been relied upon.

(continued) This document is intended to work in concert with other ASTM documents that are closely related to the many varied issues involved in proper window, door and skylight installation. It will refer the user to numerous other standards for topic-specific guidelines and additional important considerations - such as wood frame wall considerations, flashing material considerations, climate considerations, etc.

The Guideline also includes examples of the Guiding Principles in practice – with specific recommendations to the designer or installer regarding achieving on-site, installed performance equal to the expectations and product performance claims. As such, rainwater management principles and air sealing principles are discussed in some detail. (Note: Rainwater leakage has been the leading reason for dissatisfaction of building owners with performance of fenestration installations. For this reason, This Guideline places greater emphasis on preventing or limiting rainwater leakage than on any other single performance characteristic.)

The Guideline also offers guidance on quality assurance, on-site inspection, testing and code compliance.