Weather Resistance & Wind Serviceability

Understanding how a construction product or system will perform under real-world applications of weathering is critical.

The characteristics and behaviour of the different materials and elements directly affect the safety and durability of buildings. For this reason, they undergo specific tests in Weather Resistance & Wind Serviceability to establish the quality levels and to guarantee their adequacy.

Below are some of the tests that determine the real-world application of weathering.

  • Physical involving the breaking down of materials through direct contact with atmospheric conditions such as heat, cold, water, ice or wind.
  • Chemical assessing the adverse effects of atmospheric or biologically produced chemicals.

There are two types of weathering that must be considered, both of which occur together and using a weathering chamber and wind tunnels, we can reproduce such conditions and the subsequent impacts at both discrete component and large systems levels. After exposure to adverse climate conditions, a diverse range of complementary tests can be performed to evaluate the residual performance of the specimens.

These tests include:

  • Cladding
  • Roofing
  • Walling

which are some of the systems commonly tested at our facilities.

The BBA Tests products to satisfy the relevant national Standards

Wind uplift: MCS 012:2016; BS EN 14437:2004

Weathertightness: MCS 012:2016

Bitumen, plastic and rubber flexible sheets:

  • Water tightness: BS EN 1928:2000
  • Water pressure: Network Rail NR/L3/CIV/041: Issue 3
  • Water penetration: HAPAS Guidelines
  • Water vapour transmission: BS EN 1931:2000

Waterproofing systems for bridge decks:

  • Chloride ion penetration, Freeze/Thaw, Crack cycling, ageing, exposure to fuel oil/bitumen: Network rail NR/L3/CIV/041
  • Ultra violet light: BS EN ISO 16474:2013

Water resistance on cavity walls: Internal BBA water resistance testing scheme

Hygrothermal behaviour in EWI systems: ETAG 004:2013; ETAG 006, ETAG 034, MOAT 22, etcetera…

Insulation products:

  • Water absorption: BS EN 1609:2013 (short term) and BS EN 12087:2013 & BSEN 12088:2103 (long term)
  • Windows and doors:
  • Wind resistance: BS EN 12211:2016
  • Thermal cycling: BS 8529:2010
  • Mechanical wear (endurance tests): PAS 24:2016
  • Corrosion tests: BS EN ISO 9227:2012 (salt spraying)