TESTING SERVICES
MIS TESTING SERVICES
MIS follows AAMA - ASTM Testing methods as established standards used to test the capability of windows, curtain wall windows, storefront windows, sliding glass doors, skylights, etc. to resist water/air intrusion over a specified time period. Our teams are well trained and follow AAMA and ASTM standards to the letter.
The information gained from our test procedures are used by the manufacturer, design team and construction team to identify and correct product issues, application issues and/or installation process issues that could potentially be applied across an entire building or buildings.
MIS does not believe that our job ends with PASS/FAIL results of a given test procedure. MIS believes that our testing responsibility to the design and construction teams is to ensure that whatever issues arise during the test process that they are clearly identified to all participants of the design and construction teams and that recommendations for the issues are provided. Our testing responsibilities include communicating with the Installation contactor and window/door manufacturers to ensure they have a knowledgeable representative to attend the tests process and to provide feedback to the installation contractor and manufacturer(s) on quality trends or issues found during our testing of their manufacturing or installation procedures.
The information gained from our test procedures are used by the manufacturer, design team and construction team to identify and correct product issues, application issues and/or installation process issues that could potentially be applied across an entire building or buildings.
MIS does not believe that our job ends with PASS/FAIL results of a given test procedure. MIS believes that our testing responsibility to the design and construction teams is to ensure that whatever issues arise during the test process that they are clearly identified to all participants of the design and construction teams and that recommendations for the issues are provided. Our testing responsibilities include communicating with the Installation contactor and window/door manufacturers to ensure they have a knowledgeable representative to attend the tests process and to provide feedback to the installation contractor and manufacturer(s) on quality trends or issues found during our testing of their manufacturing or installation procedures.
RESULTANT TESTING REPORT IDENTIFIES ^ BACK TO TOP
- The specific assembly, wall system at assembly and the testing process used
- Adherence to design and effectiveness of installed waterproofing details
- Adherence to the manufacturer's installation instructions
- Adherence to the project plans and details at the tested assembly
- Proper or improper installation issues of the sliding glass door, window assemblies, curtain wall windows, storefront windows, skylights, etc.
- Point(s) of failure (if any) extent of water intrusion – isolated or widespread
- Photographic exhibits that will illustrate the issues found during the testing procedure
- Recommendations for mitigation of deficiencies identified during testing procedures. MIS has extensive construction experience that allows us to provide the Design/Construction Team with real world approaches to correcting deficiencies identified during testing.
SPRAY TESTING ^ BACK TO TOP
AAMA 501.2 Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems
AAMA 501 Kinetic Energy Spray Test - This test method also simulates a 44 mph wind-driven rain event in small, segmented areas using a standard 3/4 inch diameter hose in which a calibrated nozzle is attached with a calibrated pressure gauge. The spray is directed at a specific joint, crack, or defect to reveal potential water leakage and assist in identifying the point of entry and path of travel of suspect moisture intrusion.
AAMA 501 Kinetic Energy Spray Test - This test method also simulates a 44 mph wind-driven rain event in small, segmented areas using a standard 3/4 inch diameter hose in which a calibrated nozzle is attached with a calibrated pressure gauge. The spray is directed at a specific joint, crack, or defect to reveal potential water leakage and assist in identifying the point of entry and path of travel of suspect moisture intrusion.
AAMA 501.2 Spray Nozzle Test
Spray nozzle water test
Spray testing a window
Water Spray Rack - Test simulates a wind-driven rain condition on a specific assembly and/or component. It can be useful in determining a specific cause and origin of moisture infiltration when it is used to test individual components of an exterior envelope area or assembly. Specific assemblies and/or interfaces of assemblies are isolated and subjected to controlled amounts of moisture instead of spraying water over a large area in an uncontrolled manner that will not reveal specific components or conditions that are the cause of water infiltration.
Spray rack water leak investigation
TYPES OF TESTING ^ BACK TO TOP
Chamber or Differential Pressure Testing
A pressure chamber is constructed on the interior or exterior of the envelope of a building at a specific location where a fenestration assembly meets the envelope to test moisture driven through fenestration assembly components and/or fenestration/wall assembly components. The assembly or component is subjected to negative or positive forces while simultaneously a spray rack test is directed at the assembly to draw or push the moisture into the fenestration/wall assembly to simulate a negative or positive pressure under a wind-driven rain condition.
A pressure chamber is constructed on the interior or exterior of the envelope of a building at a specific location where a fenestration assembly meets the envelope to test moisture driven through fenestration assembly components and/or fenestration/wall assembly components. The assembly or component is subjected to negative or positive forces while simultaneously a spray rack test is directed at the assembly to draw or push the moisture into the fenestration/wall assembly to simulate a negative or positive pressure under a wind-driven rain condition.
Chamber Testing - Positive Test Chamber
A chamber built of wood frame construction and a 6 mil clear plastic that is attached to the outside wall assembly of a window or door system. This chamber is built as air and water tight as possible. Care is taken to minimize damage to the finished building system.
The same spray grid system that was described for the spray test is installed inside the test chamber instead of attaching it to the frame assembly.
A blower with a speed control and a relief valve system is used to pressurize the chamber with a static air pressure. The air pressure in the chamber is determined by the greater of either the architectural specifications, the design pressure of the test specimen, or the maximum positive design pressure of the building in which the specimen is installed.
A chamber built of wood frame construction and a 6 mil clear plastic that is attached to the outside wall assembly of a window or door system. This chamber is built as air and water tight as possible. Care is taken to minimize damage to the finished building system.
The same spray grid system that was described for the spray test is installed inside the test chamber instead of attaching it to the frame assembly.
A blower with a speed control and a relief valve system is used to pressurize the chamber with a static air pressure. The air pressure in the chamber is determined by the greater of either the architectural specifications, the design pressure of the test specimen, or the maximum positive design pressure of the building in which the specimen is installed.
Chamber Testing - Negative Test Chamber
A chamber built of wood frame construction and a 10 mil clear vinyl. It is attached to the inside wall assembly of a window or door system. This chamber is built as air tight as possible. It is also designed where it can be removed in a few seconds to enable quick access for troubleshooting.
The same spray grid system that was described for the spray test is attached to the frame assembly. It is stood up against the wall system on the outside of a window or SGD that is being tested.
A vacuum with a speed control is used to create a negative pressure inside the test chamber. The differential negative air pressure in the chamber is determined by the greater of either the architectural specifications, the design pressure of the test specimen, or the maximum positive design pressure of the building.
A chamber built of wood frame construction and a 10 mil clear vinyl. It is attached to the inside wall assembly of a window or door system. This chamber is built as air tight as possible. It is also designed where it can be removed in a few seconds to enable quick access for troubleshooting.
The same spray grid system that was described for the spray test is attached to the frame assembly. It is stood up against the wall system on the outside of a window or SGD that is being tested.
A vacuum with a speed control is used to create a negative pressure inside the test chamber. The differential negative air pressure in the chamber is determined by the greater of either the architectural specifications, the design pressure of the test specimen, or the maximum positive design pressure of the building.
Chamber Testing Windows, Doors, Storefronts, Curtain Wall
- AAMA 502-02 Specification for Field Testing of Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
- AAMA 502-08 Specification for Field Testing of Newly Installed Fenestration Products
- ASTM E1105 Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration
- AAMA 503-03 Specification for Field Testing of Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems
- AAMA 503-08 Specification for Field Testing of Newly Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems
- AAMA 511-08 Guideline for Forensic Water Penetration Testing of Fenestration Products
- ASTM E783 Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors
- AAMA 502-503 Positive Chambers
AAMA 502/503 Positive Chambers
AAMA 502/503 Positive Chambers
AAMA 502/503 Positive Chambers
AAMA 502/503 Positive Chambers
AAMA 502-503 Negative Chambers
AAMA 502/503 Negative Chambers
AAMA 502/503 Negative Chambers
AAMA 502/503 Negative Chambers
SILL DAM TESTING
Sill dam testing
Sill dam testing
FLOOD TESTING
Flood testing
Flood testing
PULL TESTS ^ BACK TO TOP
- ASTM E2359 Field Pull Testing of an In Place Exterior Insulation
- ASTM D4541 Standard Test Method For Pull Off Strength Coatings using Portable Adhesion Testers
ASTM E2359 equipment
ASTM E2359 equipment
ASTM E2359 equipment
WATER PENETRATION TESTS MASONRY WALL SURFACES ^ BACK TO TOP
- ASTM C 1601 Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Masonry Wall Surfaces
- ASTM E 1715 Standard Evaluation of Water leakage of Masonry Wall Drainage Systems
Masonry wall penetration
Masonry wall penetration
ASTM E 783 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Air Leakage Through Windows and Doors
ASTM E783 equipment
ASTM E783 equipment
ROOF UPLIFT TESTING ^ BACK TO TOP
- TAS 124-95 Standard for Field Uplift Resistance of Existing Membrane Roof Systems and In Situ Testing for Re-roof and New Construction Applications
- ASTM E907 Standard Test Method for Field Testing Uplift Resistance of Adhered Membrane Roofing Systems
- FM 1-52 Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet, "Field Uplift Tests".
Roof testing
Roof testing
ROOFING SYSTEM VECTOR MAPPING ^ BACK TO TOP
MIS provides Electric Field Vector Mapping leak detection on waterproofing membrane for testing of capillary defects and/or breaches in the membrane. Field Vector mapping is the process of identifying the source of potential water leakage on roofing technologies that incorporate dielectric membrane overlays.
Low-Voltage Electric Field Vector Mapping
a) Testing of entire roof on an area-by-area basis
b) Wetting of the entire membrane test area with water prior to
the start of each test and maintain wet condition for the duration of testing. Aids in verifying integrity of the membrane at drains and penetrations by localized testing.
High-Voltage Leak Detection Testing
a) Tests perimeter of entire roof and any other areas not able to be tested using low-voltage method
Low-Voltage Electric Field Vector Mapping
a) Testing of entire roof on an area-by-area basis
b) Wetting of the entire membrane test area with water prior to
the start of each test and maintain wet condition for the duration of testing. Aids in verifying integrity of the membrane at drains and penetrations by localized testing.
High-Voltage Leak Detection Testing
a) Tests perimeter of entire roof and any other areas not able to be tested using low-voltage method
CERTIFIED IR IMAGING OF BUILDINGS AND ROOF ASSEMBLIES ^ BACK TO TOP
Thermal Imaging - Thermograph technology utilizes an infrared camera to produce a "heat diagram" or a visible picture using infrared wavelengths. This imaging technique is a quick, powerful and non-invasive method for detecting and assisting in the diagnosis of areas exhibiting energy loss, suspect moisture behind wall assemblies, and possible moisture in construction materials.
Thermal imaging - infrared
Thermal imaging - infrared
AIR INFILTRATION TESTING ^ BACK TO TOP
- ASTM E 779 Standard Test Method For Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
- ASTM E1186 Standard Test Method for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems.
Blower door assembly
Blower door assembly
CONCRETE FLOORING ^ BACK TO TOP
- ASTM F 1869 Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate
- ASTM F 2170 Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Flood Slabs
- ASTM F 710 Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring
Vapor emission testing
PH Test
Concrete moisture test
ENVIRONMENTAL ^ BACK TO TOP
- Certified indoor analysis for visual microbial growth
- ASTM D 7338 Standard Guide for Assessment of Fungal Growth in Buildings
- Multiple MIS employees are certified to conduct mold investigations and IAQ assessments
Microbial growth testing
Mold growth investigation
Thermal imaging for mold
THERMAL IMAGING ^ BACK TO TOP
Thermography utilizes an infrared camera to produce a "heat diagram" or a visible picture using infrared wavelengths. This imaging technique is a quick, powerful and non-invasive method for detecting and diagnosing energy loss, moisture behind wall systems, and moisture in construction materials.
Infrared inspections can provide immediate documentation of as-built and post-restoration conditions, plumbing and building envelope water leakage, post-flood and fire water damage material assessment, and energy loss through lack of insulation or air infiltration.
Water within building materials will evaporate resulting in cooling of the material surface. A wet spot, when observed with the infrared camera, is visible as a distinct cool spot. This distinction between wet and dry materials helps identify the water intrusion source with minimal impact to the building itself.
This equipment is used to obtain relative, not exact readings. The use of other test equipment, such as core samples and hand held moisture meters, also assist in checking moisture content.
Infrared inspections can provide immediate documentation of as-built and post-restoration conditions, plumbing and building envelope water leakage, post-flood and fire water damage material assessment, and energy loss through lack of insulation or air infiltration.
Water within building materials will evaporate resulting in cooling of the material surface. A wet spot, when observed with the infrared camera, is visible as a distinct cool spot. This distinction between wet and dry materials helps identify the water intrusion source with minimal impact to the building itself.
This equipment is used to obtain relative, not exact readings. The use of other test equipment, such as core samples and hand held moisture meters, also assist in checking moisture content.
Thermal imaging
Thermal infrared
ROOFING ^ BACK TO TOP
MIS's roofing consultants and certified roofing inspectors have extensive knowledge and experience in both newly installed roofing systems and re-roofing systems.
MIS's knowledge and understanding of the total building envelope concept assists the architect, owner, developer and contractor in the selection of the correct roofing system for the project.
MIS's testing and inspection team has the ability to conduct wind uplift tests, infrared thermal imaging, intrusive and non-intrusive moisture analysis and inspections.
MIS's experience in roofing covers the entire spectrum of Modified Bituthene, TPO, EPDM, ballast, liquid applied membrane, tile, slate, asphalt shingle, green and garden roofs.
MIS's knowledge and understanding of the total building envelope concept assists the architect, owner, developer and contractor in the selection of the correct roofing system for the project.
MIS's testing and inspection team has the ability to conduct wind uplift tests, infrared thermal imaging, intrusive and non-intrusive moisture analysis and inspections.
MIS's experience in roofing covers the entire spectrum of Modified Bituthene, TPO, EPDM, ballast, liquid applied membrane, tile, slate, asphalt shingle, green and garden roofs.
AIR QUALITY TESTING ^ BACK TO TOP
Investigation and determination of indoor air quality problems can be complex as they can result from inadequate ventilation, contamination from inside a building, contamination from outside a building, and microbial contamination as well as other sources. Our team of licensed mold assessors investigates potential sources of airborne micro-organisms in your business, workplace or home. Areas investigated are based upon the specific needs of your building but can include:
- Air intakes
- Air filtration systems
- Duct work
- Ceiling plenums
- Air handling units
- Crawl spaces and surfaces
- Areas of possible water intrusion
Testing can also be provided to determine the source and type of airborne contamination such as microbial, particulate or volatile organic compound contamination that can degrade the air quality in your building. Tests include some or all of the following: air-flow, pressure differentials, surface wipes, bulk sampling, tape lift and air sampling. Upon completion of our investigation and analysis of our testing by a third party certified test laboratory, a fully written report is submitted with our findings, laboratory results and proposed remediation protocol.