CPM Aluminium & Glass
LAB VERIFIED REPORT
FAÇADE ENGINEERING INSIGHTS // FOCUS AAMA 501.1 ASTM E331 TCVN 9259

Analysis of Pressure-Equalized Solutions & Rainwater Penetration Prevention on Unitized Façades

architecture
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Eliminating the risk of water leakage above 120m with the pressure-equalised chamber (PEC) principle. Experimental research shows that eliminating the pressure difference (ΔP = 0) combined with one-way drainage valves lets Unitized panels withstand a dynamic wind pressure of 1,000 Pa without capillary water penetration.

CPM
CPM Façade Engineering & R&D Board verified
Published: 26/02/2025 • schedule 6 min read • Building Envelope Feature
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Pressure Equalization Chamber – PEC

In the envelopes of skyscrapers, rainwater leakage does not simply come from open cracks; it is the inevitable result of fluid dynamics when three conditions are present together: (1) Surface water, (2) Gaps in the material, and (3) A driving force (the pressure difference between outside and inside the building).

Traditional face-sealed silicone systems (Barrier Wall Systems) often deteriorate quickly after 3 – 5 years due to UV, wind vibration and thermal expansion. That is why the CPM Unitized façade fully applies the principle of Rainscreen & Pressure-Equalized.

Formula for eliminating the penetration force:

ΔP = Poutside (dynamic wind) – Pbuffer cavity (PEC) → 0 (Pa)

When the air pressure inside the cavity (PEC) instantly equals the gusting wind pressure outside the glass, the driving pressure difference ΔP becomes 0. Rainwater on the aluminium ledges loses the energy to travel further inside and falls freely into the drainage channel.

3 Core Water-Stopping Factors on a Unitized Panel

Phân tích Giải pháp Cân bằng Áp suất (Pressure Equalized) & Ngăn thẩm thấu Nước mưa trên Mặt dựng Unitized — CPM Aluminium & Glass
REAL-WORLD MALE – FEMALE UNITIZED MULLION ASSEMBLY
Figure 2: Corner section of the interlocking split mullion with vulcanised EPDM gasket grooves at the CPM factory. ACCURACY: ±0.5 MM

At the junction between the male and female mullions, CPM uses a self-interlocking press connection with no exposed screws. This completely eliminates the risk of tearing the waterproof membrane when the building undergoes story drift under level-7 seismic loads.

Mock-up Test Values

The results below are taken from independent test report no. KĐ-CPM/2025/HN certified by the International Testing Centre:

Test itemReference standardPressure / LoadActual resultStatus
Air infiltrationASTM E283 / TCVN 9259300 Pa (50 Pa test base)0.05 m³/h·m²EXCEEDS STANDARD
Static water penetrationASTM E331720 Pa (15 minutes continuous)0.00 ml (no water leakage)100% PASS
Dynamic water penetrationAAMA 501.1 (jet propeller)1,000 Pa (simulated gusts)0.00 ml (no water in inner cavity)EXCELLENT
Structural frame loadASTM E330+3,600 Pa / -3,600 PaDeflection L/210 (< L/175 max)SAFE
Seismic driftAAMA 501.4Horizontal displacement ±35 mmNo glass breakage, returns to positionCOMPLIANT
* Tested in a 120m³ pressure chamber with 9 interconnected panels.Download the full lab report (PDF)open_in_new
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