AAMA 501.2 Testing as an Instrument of Effective New Construction Quality Control Programs

By: Craig Andrade

AAMA 501.2 Testing, sometimes referred to as “Monarch Testing” or “Hose Testing”, is a practical and cost efficient method of assuring the watertight installation of fenestration and cladding systems, for new construction as a quality control measure and for existing construction as a diagnostic tool.  For brevity sake, this blog pertains to the benefits that can be employed during a new construction project.   

Architects, specifiers, and manufacturers often include this type of testing as part the quality assurance/quality control protocols.  The test is an effective tool that, at a low cost, can identify detail related and installation defects during construction, before interior finish materials are installed and the building is turned over to ownership, mitigating call backs and potential litigation. 

 “Monarch Testing or Hose Testing” is a test method promulgated by the American Aluminum Manufacturers Association (AAMA), formally known as “AAMA 501.2-09 - Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems”.   A brief description of the test is that water is directed at the window framing members using a calibrated “Monarch Nozzle” (Monarch Manufacturing Works, Inc./Newton Tool & Mfg. Company).  The nozzle exerts water in a cone pattern and it must be held perpendicular to the area under test and 12” away from the specimen while moving in a monotonous back and forth motion.  Areas of the window framing are tested in 5’ lengths starting with the bottom framing members and working upward. 

As simplistic as it sounds, proper technique is critical.  Independent agencies have reported that changing the orientation of the nozzle to the specimen from 90° as specified to 45° can triple the pressure being exerted onto the specimen, and moving the nozzle as close as 4” away from the specimen can increase pressures up to 6 or 7 times, resulting in pressures of 45 psf or greater, which could create misleading results.

In the video below, note the technique that the technician utilizes, keeping the nozzle perpendicular to the specimen and maintaining the nozzle distance from the test specimen to approximately 12”.  The sill member had already been tested with no water infiltration observed and the jamb was being tested next.  The test at this particular location resulted in no water infiltration observed; however, a later test on the same condition, at a different location, resulted in a leak.

In the video example, the “Monarch Testing” was performed as a quality control measure.

The wall construction and window assembly was very straight forward, except for the vertical architectural mullion that was present at the window jambs and in between the windows.  During testing of sill and jamb conditions, water infiltration was observed.  The cause was attributed to lack of detailing (no details for the head or sill interfacing of the mullion to the RO), and a lack of assembly instructions from the mullion fabricator (the window manufacturer).  Through additional AAMA 501.2 testing, it was determined that the conditions systemic and broadscale repairs were necessary.  Following repairs, the areas were retested, proving the effectiveness of the repairs. 

The use of AAMA 501.2 testing on this project proved valuable, exposing systemic detail related issues as well as isolated installation issues.  The testing and repair costs of the above conditions were relatively minor when compared to the potential damage that could have ensued.