Another Round of Field Testing of Installed Windows Along Florida's West Coast

Recon Independent Assessments will be field testing additional windows as work progresses on a senior housing complex in west central Florida. In addition to window testing, Recon Consultants have been providing support on the project by conducting quality assurance inspections at critical points durring construction to identify and help avoid potential water intrusion issues.

A commitment to quality by the contractor has been well documented along the way in written reports that detail progress of the building envelope. As a result, key points were identified and given extra scrutiny to avoid creating potential ongoing maintenece issues for the building's owner.

Recon Independent Assessments is committed to helping provide quality thrid party consulting that leads to greater building efficiency, promotes trade accountability, and a sustainable environment for occupants.

Initial Field Testing of Installed Windows Completed

Recon Independent Assessments has completed initial field testing of installed fenestration on a a public transit facility in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida. Testing was performed in accordance to AAMA 502.2 requirements which includes the ASTM E 783 for air infiltration and ASTM E 1105 for water penetration.

The project is being completed by the Wharton-Smith Construction Group.

As additional phases of the project are completed more field testing will take place. The project management and commitment to quality on-site is second to none.

Orlando Medical Office Building To Test All Window Openings & Curtain Wall

Recon Independent Assessments is preparing to deploy consultants in the Orlando area to complete testing on all openings in a multi-story Medical Office Building. The ASTM E-1105 field test for water penetration will be followed to validate that all installed windows and curtain wall are water resistant.

Recon Independent Assessments will be on-site continuously until the project testing is completed. Kudos to the owner and contractor for being proactive to ensure that their building is delivered with a watertight envelope.

Recon negotiated pricing on the project that allowed 100% of the fenestration to be tested.

Contact Recon Independent Assessments today to learn how our assistance on your project can lead to a high quality commercial structure that delivers a highly sustainable workspace for it's occupants.

info@reconwindowtesting.com

Recon Independent Assessments; Helping Owners and Contractors deliver Quality Buildings one project at a time!

Recon Independent Assessments Returning To Baltimore

Recon Independent Assessments is looking forward to upcoming field testing for air infiltration and water penetration on a Healthcare Project in Baltimore working direct for the Project Architect.

Initial testing to be completed on the project will include ASTM E 783 tests for air infiltration as well as ASTM E 1105 tests for water penetration.

Window Testing Completed In Denver

Recon Independent Assessments hopped a flight to Denver earlier this week to complete a final round of testing at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood.

Recon Independent Assessments is pleased to report that testing was a success.

It was a pleasure working with CASE Forensics, Bovis Lend Lease, and El Paso Glass.

If your Healthcare related project requires field testing of installed windows, storefront, or curtain wall systems, contact us today:

info@reconwindowtesting.com

ASTM Field Testing For Installed Windows & Storefronts

The Dog Days of Summer are around the corner and as the temperatures climb in Orlando (Recon's home base) the cost for testing in our back yard has been dropping like gas prices!

If your project requires field quality control testing by a third party (it should), you need to email Recon or pick up the phone and request a proposal.

If finishing a project under-budget appeals to your team, you'll want to see a Recon Testing Team on your jobsite.

Recon Independent Assessments provides Quality Third Party ASTM & AAMA Field Verification Testing of Installed Windows, Curtain Wall, and Storefronts.

ASTM E 1105

ASTM E 783

AAMA 503

AAMA 502

Email: info@reconwindowtesting.com Include "Orlando Field Testing" in the subject heading!

Successful AAMA & ASTM Window Field Testing Requires Communication and Teamwork

None of us want to see water appear on the inside of the installed window, curtainwall or storefront system when field quality control testing takes place. When it does, it's imperative to keep everyone focused on the goal that third party field quality control testing is in place to inspire; deliver a watertight envelope to the owner.

Most professionals in the installation field understand that the testing failure is likely an isolated mistake in a very tedious and demanding discipline. Unfortunately, there are a few in the business that fail to understand and often times the result is uncomfortable for everyone involved.

The next time you are attending a field quality control session where testing is taking place, remember the goal:

Delivery of a watertight envelope.

• Have a discussion before the first test is started and agree to the specifications that are governing the test.
• Agree to the test pressure for the test before starting.
• Define what a failure will be. (ASTM or AAMA differ on the point)

Recon Independent Assessments looks forward to seeing your team on the jobsite; call us today to schedule our testing professionals on your project.

Always remeber, testing doesn't ever have to be contentious as long as everyone is committed to the goal of delivering a quality building with a watertight envelope.

Added Value In August

Add Air Infiltration Testing to Your Field Quality Control Program at No Additional Cost

Recon Independent Assessments is offering ASTM E 783 testing of installed windows, storefronts and curtainwalls on any project requiring ASTM E 1105 testing at no additional cost on any project testing completed in August 2009.

Email your project proposal request to us today. Place "Include ASTM E 783" in the subject line and viola it's included at no additional cost.

Call us if you have questions regarding your third party testing needs, we're always available to discuss your needs at no charge.

info@reconwindowtesting.com

Recon Independent Assessments accepts assignments anywhere nationwide.

Words of Wisdom From Your Grandfather

It was once said; "In the kitchen, a little bit of gravy covers up a lot of mistakes."

In the window testing environment we work in, the same can be said for "wet sealing".

There have been occassions where Recon Independent Assessments has been on a project where the installers have repeatedly attempted corrective action on installed storefronts and curtainwalls without nailing down a fix that prevented more testing failures.

Despite the obvious (water should not penetrate the envelope) need for investigating the cause of the failures, a decision was made to "wet seal" the system in order to "keep the project on schedule".

Unfortunately, Grandfather's wisdom doesn't apply well in this application.

The gravy has only complicated the situation and created a few unintended complications for the owner.

• One: Wet sealing creates a longterm maintenence cost for the building and it's owner.

• Two: The system that recieved the "quick fix gravy" was not designed, tested and certified as a "wet sealed" system. As a result the manufacturer may not honor the warranty.

Before you sit down at the table for some bisquits and gravy, consider the cost and implications of covering up mistakes.

Recon Independent Assessments consults with Building Owners and Owners Representatives to make certain that a project is completed correctly.

Windows, Curtainwalls, and Storefronts Always Look Better

With one of these:


Trust us; you project's owner representative will love to see these.

Recon provides testing services anywhere. Contact us today.

More Frequent Testing Can Never Hurt

Recon Independent Assessments is not an AAMA Accredited Laboratory, nor does it plan to become one in the forseable future...

Recon provides truly third party field testing of fenestration for air infiltration and water penetration and holds the belief that ASTM consensus standards are the true measure of field performance.

In a recent article detailing AAMA's summer meeting the pros and cons of testing products manufactured by members was discussed.

Read More Here

Our thoughts on the issue are simple:

Test, test, test...

A building and it's owner and occupants deserve it.

Lab testing is very important. Field testing installations is even more important.

The interface between a building's substrates and installed windows, curtain walls, and storefronts is by far the weakest link in the production of a watertight envelope.

Recon Independent Assessments provides testing on projects nationwide. Contact us today to receive a proposal for testing services.

Water Intrusion & Air Infiltration Field Testing

July Forecast:

Recon Independent Assessments has a busy schedule upcoming, but there is always room for more on our plate, we love what we do.

Extensive testing is underway from Tampa, Port St. Lucie, Jacksonville, and Orlando Florida over the coming weeks. Testing is also pending in Colorado and Maryland.

The only question remaining is where will you send us next?

If your project requires windows, storefront, or curtain wall to be tested for water intrusion and air infiltration, contact us for a proposal. Your estimators and bean counters will be glad you did. The word you'll hear at the water cooler will be VALUE.

The ASTM E-1105 and ASTM E-783 are your best tools to help deliver a quality building envelope.

AAMA 501 Field Quality Control Check Proceedures are not a VALIDATION test.

Test early and test often.

Accountability is key. Set the expectations early and ensure they are met. Test.

Contact us for a proposal: info@reconwindowtesting.com