Curtain Walling: Impact Resistance

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Categories: Performance : Curtain Walling

Principles

The impact resistance of the curtain wall is assessed by a soft impact test on:

  • The external face
  • The internal face
  • 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

    EN12600Glass in building - Pendulum test - Impact test method and classification for flat glass
    EN13049Windows - Soft and heavy body impact - Test method, safety requirements and classification
    EN14019Curtain walling - impact resistance - Performance requirements
    CWCT TN66Safety and fragility of overhead glazing: guidance on specification
    CWCT TN68Overhead glazing
    CWCT TN69Selection of glass to prevent falls from height
    CWCT TN75Impact performance of building envelopes: guidance on specification


     

    Method of test

    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

    ClassAssociated drop height
    E0N/A
    E1200 mm
    E2300 mm
    E3450 mm
    E4700 mm
    E5950 mm

    Internal impact

    ClassDrop height
    I0N/A
    I1200 mm
    I2300 mm
    I3450 mm
    I4700 mm
    I5950 mm


     

    CE Marking

    UK Regulations give requirements for barriers to prevent falls from height but there is no impact requirement:

    Locationnpd allowed
    England and WalesProbably
    ScotlandProbably
    Northern IrelandProbably

    Note that Specifiers may still require CE marking.