If you need building envelope test results that will be accepted without challenge — by manufacturers processing warranty claims, by owners verifying construction quality, by attorneys building legal cases, or by courts evaluating construction defect disputes — FGIA/AAMA accreditation is the standard that ensures your test data holds up. ACE Building Envelope Design is an FGIA/AAMA-accredited testing agency, meaning our procedures, equipment, and personnel have been independently audited by the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance.
Our FGIA AAMA accredited testing capabilities span the full range of building envelope performance questions. ASTM E1105 water penetration testing determines whether installed wall and fenestration assemblies resist water under specified pressure conditions. ASTM E783 air leakage testing quantifies infiltration rates for comparison against ASHRAE standards. Infrared thermography visualizes thermal anomalies across entire facades. Flood testing and electronic leak detection verify waterproofing membrane integrity. And AAMA fenestration testing evaluates installed window and curtain wall performance against design specifications.
Standard testing reports are delivered within one week of site visits. Same-day consultation is available for urgent issues. ACE deploys field testing teams from offices in Concord, CA and Nampa, ID, with a virtual office in Newport Beach, CA across our entire seven-state service territory. The ASTM International standards framework ensures that every test follows documented protocols with calibrated equipment — producing results that any other accredited agency could reproduce.
Water Penetration and Air Leakage Testing
ASTM E1105 water penetration testing is the definitive diagnostic for determining whether installed fenestration and wall assemblies resist water under simulated wind-driven rain conditions. ACE applies calibrated water spray to the test area while maintaining specified air pressure differentials, documenting whether the as-installed system meets its performance specifications. This test is essential for new construction quality assurance, warranty verification, and forensic investigation of active water intrusion.
ASTM E783 air leakage testing quantifies the rate of air infiltration through fenestration and wall assemblies, producing data in cubic feet per minute per square foot that can be compared against contract specifications and ASHRAE standards. For buildings experiencing rising energy costs or comfort complaints, E783 testing provides the quantified evidence needed to determine whether the envelope is meeting performance requirements.
Infrared Thermography and Non-Destructive Diagnostics
Infrared thermography provides visual documentation of thermal anomalies across the building envelope without any physical contact or disruption. ACE deploys both handheld and drone-mounted IR cameras to survey entire building facades rapidly, identifying areas where heat loss, moisture intrusion, or air leakage patterns are concentrated. This non-invasive screening is particularly effective for condition assessments and for prioritizing areas requiring further investigation.
Thermographic surveys can cover thousands of square feet in hours — making them one of the most cost-effective diagnostic tools available. When combined with targeted water testing or air testing at identified anomaly locations, thermography provides a comprehensive performance picture that guides effective repair strategies. The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes infrared thermography as a primary diagnostic tool for evaluating building envelope thermal performance.
What You're Facing
You need test data that answers a specific performance question — water, air, thermal, or fenestration — and the results must be defensible, reproducible, and accepted by all parties.
How We Address It
ACE deploys FGIA/AAMA-accredited testing procedures calibrated to your question, with documentation that meets the standards required by manufacturers, owners, courts, and insurance carriers.
What You Get
Defensible test reports within one week of site visits, clear identification of performance deficiencies, and quantified data that drives effective repair strategies and supports warranty or legal proceedings.
Need Answers About Your Building's Performance?
Describe the performance question and we'll recommend the right diagnostic approach — from a single targeted test to a comprehensive investigation.
Describe Your Situation →Or call (866) 389-8883 for same-day consultation
Flood Testing and Electronic Leak Detection
Flood testing evaluates waterproofing membrane integrity on horizontal surfaces — podium decks, plaza systems, green roofs, and below-grade slabs — by maintaining controlled water depth over the membrane for a specified duration. This test reveals breaches at membrane laps, penetration seals, and drain locations that may not be apparent during visual inspection.
Electronic leak detection (ELD) uses electrical impedance testing to locate breaches with pinpoint accuracy — even on membranes covered by overburden. For investigating leaks in occupied buildings where the waterproofing is buried under concrete, pavers, or soil, ELD can identify breach locations without destructive exploration, potentially saving significant demolition and reconstruction costs. Both flood testing and ELD are critical quality assurance tools for below-grade and podium deck waterproofing projects.
AAMA Fenestration Performance Verification
AAMA fenestration performance testing evaluates the installed performance of windows, curtain walls, storefronts, and skylights against the standards established by the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance. ACE performs AAMA 501, 502, and 503 test procedures that assess water penetration resistance, air infiltration rates, and structural wind load performance of installed systems.
Fenestration testing is especially important for high-rise and commercial buildings where curtain wall systems are the primary weather barrier. When fenestration failures occur, AAMA testing determines whether the system meets its design specifications or whether the installation deviates from manufacturer requirements — a distinction critical for warranty claims and determining responsibility. ACE's accreditation means fenestration test results are accepted by manufacturers, owners, and legal professionals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM E1105, E783, thermography, flood testing, ELD, and AAMA fenestration testing.
ACE's procedures are independently verified by FGIA/AAMA — results are reproducible, defensible, and accepted by all parties.
Standard reports within one week of site visits. Same-day consultation for urgent issues.
Yes. Most procedures work on occupied buildings with minimal disruption.
During construction for QA, at closeout for warranty, during forensic investigation, and for condition assessment.