Curtain Walling: Impact Resistance
Open full view...Categories: Performance : Curtain Walling
Principles
The impact resistance of the curtain wall is assessed by a soft impact test on:
The impact test is performed on the framing members and opaque infill panels of the wall and the classes of performance obtained by testing are declared on the CE Mark.
Infill panels of glazing materials are tested separately in accordance with EN12600 and are required to meet the performance requirements of EN12600. Guidance on the selection of glass for use in the UK is given in CWCT TN68, CWCT TN68 and CWCT TN69.
Standards
| EN12600 | Glass in building - Pendulum test - Impact test method and classification for flat glass |
| EN13049 | Windows - Soft and heavy body impact - Test method, safety requirements and classification |
| EN14019 | Curtain walling - impact resistance - Performance requirements |
| CWCT TN66 | Safety and fragility of overhead glazing: guidance on specification |
| CWCT TN68 | Overhead glazing |
| CWCT TN69 | Selection of glass to prevent falls from height |
| CWCT TN75 | Impact performance of building envelopes: guidance on specification |
Method of test
A specimen of curtain waling should be tested assess impact resistance of the internal and external surfaces. The current standard EN 14019 requires a test in accordance with EN 13049. A revised version of EN 14019 is being prepared and it is anticipated that this will require a test in accordance with EN 12600.
The test methods of EN 12600 have come in to use in the UK and it is recommended that when CE Marking to the current Product Standard performance based on testing to EN 12600 is used unless existing results to EN 13049 are available. Post 2016 all CE Marking should be on the basis of testing to EN 12600.
Note that testing to EN 12600 is not recommended for rainscreen walls
Classification
Guidance on appropriate levels of performance for use in the UK are given in CWCT TN75. The following classes are recognised across Europe:
External impact
| Class | Associated drop height |
| E0 | N/A |
| E1 | 200 mm |
| E2 | 300 mm |
| E3 | 450 mm |
| E4 | 700 mm |
| E5 | 950 mm |
Internal impact
| Class | Drop height |
| I0 | N/A |
| I1 | 200 mm |
| I2 | 300 mm |
| I3 | 450 mm |
| I4 | 700 mm |
| I5 | 950 mm |
CE Marking
UK Regulations give requirements for barriers to prevent falls from height but there is no impact requirement:
| Location | npd allowed |
| England and Wales | Probably |
| Scotland | Probably |
| Northern Ireland | Probably |
Note that Specifiers may still require CE marking.