Standard Guide for Evaluation of Building Exterior Enclosure Materials, Products, and Systems

Abstract

4.1 This guide may be used by design professionals and others in the building construction industry to provide factual support for professional judgment of materials, products, or systems during the design development of new and remedial building exterior enclosure construction. 4.2 This guide is intended to provide guidance to the user of this standard in the evaluation and qualification of materials, products, or systems with which they do not have substantial, long-term experience or that are intended to be employed in a new or different manner. The standard may be used to investigate and assess the probable performance of such materials, products, or systems in relation to the proposed use on or as part of a building exterior enclosure. 4.3 The procedures outlined in Section 5 will help guide the user in making informed selections based on the materials, products, or systems performance history on constructed projects and provide information on limitations of use, the manufacturer’s performance history, and current status. The use of this guide will reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of in-service performance problems with materials, products, or systems. 4.4 The procedures listed in this guide are intended for use in selecting materials, products, or systems that are critical to the safety, function, or serviceability of a building, or where they constitute substantial components of the work. The recommendations in this guide are not applicable to all materials, products, or systems that can be incorporated in buildings. The user must exercise appropriate judgment and care regarding the need when applying the various procedures included in this guide, including the use of the form included in Appendix X1, with regard to particular materials, products, or systems, and specific buildings. Materials, products, or systems that will be used for a noncritical or incidental use usually do not require an exhaustive evaluation. Materials, products, or systems with which the user has first-hand experience do not generally require an exhaustive evaluation since many of the evaluation tasks listed herein should have been performed previously. 4.5 Appendix X1 is provided for the user of this guide as a tool in organizing their thoughts and approach to application of the guide. It may also provide useful documentation to the user for both the building under current consideration and as a future reference for other buildings. Other forms of documentation may be developed by contract agreements or requirements of authorities having jurisdiction. Note 1: Often components of a building’s exterior enclosure construction are tested in the laboratory to help assure adequate performance. Laboratory evaluation of materials, products, or systems is not described in this guide.