What is Skylight Impact and Cycle Pressure Testing?
Skylight cycle pressure testing proves whether a skylight won’t break through from flying debris and the push and pull effects of hurricane winds. To pass the test, the laminated inner glass can crack, but must remain fixed in place and not tear away from the frame.
This test simulates the duration and intensity of various pressures and wind gusts during a storm or a hurricane. It exerts extreme positive and negative forces to establish the amount of force a skylight can withstand before the seals experience catastrophic failure. This is the kind of failure could lead to major water damage to the inside of a home or building.
What is Impact and Cycle Pressure Testing for Skylights?
Cycle pressure testing is performed predominantly when a skylight needs to perform in extreme weather or is being installed in a coastal area. The cycle pressure tests for skylights are quite extreme. They involve shooting objects at the skylight and subjecting the broken skylight to thousands of negative and positive pressure cycles.
How is Impact and Cycle Pressure Testing Conducted on Skylights?
Testing begins with a missile impact test. This test simulates flying debris that might hit a skylight during a hurricane. An air cannon is used to shoot an 8-foot 2”X 4” projectile that weighs about 9 pounds. This projectile hits the skylight at around 34 miles per hour. Severe gusts starting at 75 to 90 miles per hour can turn a piece of unfastened wood this size into a dangerous airborne missile.
The missile impact test is conducted twice on the skylight. It is expected that the outer glass can break, crack, or fall out. However, even after being hit twice, the inner laminated glass pane can crack, but must stay structural fixed in place. After being struck twice, the skylight is then mounted into an airtight chamber. There, 4,500 positive pressure cycles and 4,500 negative pressure cycles are exerted on the skylight. Even after all this, the skylight should still not allow any water into the home or building.
What Does This Extreme VELUX Skylight Test Mean for Roofers, Remodelers, and Builders?
VELUX has taken the time to engineer products to pass this rigorous testing. Builders, roofers, and remodelers in high-velocity hurricane zones can confidently install VELUX fixed and venting skylights with approved TAS HVHZ testing. For the rest of the country that requires impact-rated skylights, VELUX also performs ASTM E1886/E1996 impact and cycle pressure testing.
VELUX is Available to Assist with Every Step of a Build
From discovering inspiration to planning and installing a finished product, VELUX can help during each step of a build. BIM objects are available for each product to speed up design and specification. Product designs and specifications are also available to download for faster submissions. Reach out to a local sales representative for more assistance on design and planning.
VELUX can also help builders and roofers in need of skylight installation assistance. Our Pro Partner Academies offer hands-on in-class skylight installation training. As a bonus, business opportunity classes are available for business owners looking to expand their services. On-the-job skylight installation training is available in select areas via our VELUX mobile vans.
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