Blast Testing

Blast Testing Fast Facts

Architectural Testing is the only test laboratory that is ISO 17025 accredited to perform blast testing to ASTM F1642 and GSA TS-01
Provides engineering analysis and physical testing.
Helped develop the AAMA standard for Blast Hazard Mitigation.
Conducts testing to ASTM F1642 and GSA TS-01.
High-speed, high-resolution video up to 5,000 frames/second and high-speed, high-resolution data capture for up to 4 channels at 5,000,000 samples per channel per second.
Quick turnaround specimen loading and unloading; completely enclosed for all-weather testing.
Currently capable to test up to 7' x 7' with future expansion to 12' x 12'.

Value

Almost 75 percent of the damage and injury from a blast is due to flying and falling glass. Consequently, building owners, tenants, and building codes require a minimum level of blast protection. Architectural Testing provides engineering analysis and physical testing of fenestration and protective-glazing products to rate the level of blast protection provided by a product. Testing and analysis are also used by designers, architects, consultants, and manufacturers to mitigate hazards from glass fragmentation. Architectural Testing has worked closely with AAMA in developing test standards for Blast Hazard Mitigation for Fenestration Systems and standards under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Committee F12 on Security Systems and Equipment.

The types of tested materials include:

Laminated glass
Insulating glass
Polycarbonate
Insulated metal panels
Anchoring systems

Innovations

Minimizing glass fragmentation caused by explosion is the fenestration industry’s most demanding challenge. Architectural Testing brings nearly three decades of experience in fenestration-performance testing to blast-hazard analysis and testing. Our experience with curtain wall products helps us understand the interaction between the system and the overall building envelope.

To create the test conditions required by the test standards, Architectural Testing has designed and built a state-of-the-art shock tube that can evaluate the whole system: glazing, framing, and anchorage points. The shock tube is designed for fast turnaround between tests. It is housed in a dedicated, enclosed facility to allow year-round testing.

To record the procedure, a color digital video camera captures images at speeds up to 5,000 frames per second. A high-speed data acquisition system enables real-time acquisition of 4 channels of data at a rate of over 5 million samples per channel per second.

Insights and Possibilities

Because many factors influence blast protection, customers benefit from the experience Architectural Testing has gained from decades of fenestration testing. Today, we are playing a leading role in the Protective Glazing Council’s (PGC) effort to develop standards and specifications for protective glazing systems. With insights resulting from Architectural Testing blast testing, customers will be able to:

Determine the right product for a particular application
Evaluate rigid versus flexible glazing protection concepts
Determine the balance between multi-hazard objectives
Evaluate durability of protective glazing

Learn more about how the Architectural Testing Difference can help you or Contact Us today.