Heat Flow Meter

Heat Flow Meter Fast Facts

Over 30 years experience testing condensation resistance (CRF) factor and thermal transmittance (U-factor).
Used to determine material-specific conductance for specimens up to 8” thick.
Developed AAMA 1505 standard for products with multiple glazing options
Constructed special apparatus to measure six regions of specimen, including non-homogenous materials in any direction to determine effects of gravity.
Enables benchmark comparisons to simplify decision-making about energy-efficient materials.

Value

For over thirty years, manufacturers have been subjecting windows, doors, and glazed wall sections to testing conducted under the AAMA 1503 standard. This standard is employed to derive the condensation resistance (CRF) factor and thermal transmittance (U-factor). These factors are then used to evaluate the relative thermal performance between products and the conditions under which condensation may form. But to perform complete AAMA 1503 testing, every glazing option must be investigated in its own frame, which is an expensive process.

Consequently, Architectural Testing has helped AAMA develop an alternative standard, AAMA 1505: Voluntary test methods for thermal performance of fenestration products with multiple glazing options.

This new test method is accurate, yet more economical than AAMA 1503, because it is more flexible. It enables accurate projections of performance for any type of glazing. It can account for low-E(e), gas-filled, films, and spacer variations, as well as variations in size, geometry, corners, hardware, and design characteristics not addressed by typical modeling programs. With this method, manufacturers can accurately and economically determine the effects of variables in designs and materials. Architects can also get values that translate accurately for non standard product sizes.

Innovations

Architectural Testing conducts AAMA 1505 testing using a specially constructed apparatus that measures six regions of the specimen to account for characteristics in the inner and outer areas of the glazing. Advanced sensors detect temperatures with a 0.01 degree tolerance. The device can measure non-homogenous materials. The apparatus can also rotate the specimen up, down, or sideways to determine how gravity may affect convection.

AAMA 1505 includes a baseline test to determine the CRF factor for the frame and the glazing using a glass data library that includes over 100 glazing variations. A glass-substitution procedure is then employed to determine the performance of the baseline window as a constant.

Using this constant, any glazing option can be evaluated as a discrete material, which eliminates the need to incorporate each glazing option into a frame that is physically positioned in a test-chamber wall. Tests can be run on the glazing itself, with frame values factored back in.

The baseline factors are determined under the conditions established by the AAMA 1503 standard, namely under winter, night-time conditions that simulate 70° F on the interior side of the sample and 0° F on the exterior side of the sample.

Insights and Possibilities

Many variables affect the performance and service life of fenestration products and building materials. That’s why Architectural Testing offers a comprehensive range of laboratory, environmental, and field test programs. With Architectural Testing, you get the convenience of testing solar transmittance, thermal, durability, impact, and other performance parameters administered by one firm with facilities located on both coasts and in the Midwest.

Thanks to consistent Architectural Testing procedures, all data and reports are professionally compiled in standard forms, including:

Technical reports for performance evaluation of materials or components.
Statistical analysis of lab data.
Technical reports on problems, obstacles, or risks.

Our customers draw upon our expertise in over 700 test methods performed in accordance with ASTM, AAMA, ANSI, military, and international standards, including ICC. And we continue to develop procedures and apply new test methods to meet customer requirements.