ASTM_E_2068_-_00_2008.pdf

Designation:E206800(Reapproved 2008)Standard Test Method forDetermination of Operating Force of Sliding Windows andDoors1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2068;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method determines the operating forces foropening and closing horizontal and vertical sliding windowsand horizontal sliding door systems.It does not address theforces required for opening pivoting,projecting,or otherfenestration systems.This test method does not address the useor performance of add-on devices or mechanical operators thatmight be installed to reduce operating forces of slidingwindows or doors.It deals only with the forces necessary toopen and close a sash or panel through the direct application offorce to the operable sash or panel.1.2 This test method is suitable for laboratory productcomparisons or for qualifying products,or both,as meetingwindow or door operating force specifications.This testmethod is also suitable for use in the field to determine theoperating forces required to open and close installed slidingwindows and doors.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are SI unitsprovided for information only and are not considered standard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specificprecautionary statements,see Section 7.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E631 Terminology of Building Constructions3.Terminology3.1 Definitions are in accordance with Terminology E631unless otherwise specified.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 breakaway forcethe force required to start a sash(panel)in motion from a fully closed or fully open position.3.2.2 fully open positionthe point at the limits of theoperating hardware(if applicable)or the point at which thesash or panel contacts a limiting device.3.2.3 fully closed positionthe position of the sash or panelafter being closed,latched,and unlatched,or where the sash orpanel is closed to its maximum engagement within a frame orpocket if no latching mechanism is provided.3.2.4 in-motion operating forcethe force required to main-tain a sash or panel in motion while moving the sash or panelbetween 1 in.from fully open to 1 in.from fully closedpositions,or 1 in.from fully closed to 1 in.from fully openposition.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Two equivalent test methods for determining operatingforce are described.Test Method A uses dead weights and acable and pulley system to apply force to operate a sash orpanel.Test Method B uses a force gage and hand-appliedpressure to operate a sash or panel.The test specimen ismounted in a rigid support frame.After attaching the loadingsystem to the operating sash or panel,the weight or force isapplied and increased until the sash or panel is put into motion.This determines breakaway force.Starting from one inch(25mm)from a closed or open position the minimum amount ofweight or force required to keep a sash in motion,once it isstarted moving,is measured.This determines the in-motionoperating force.Forces required to operate a sliding window orpatio door in both opening and closing directions are deter-mined by this test method.5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method determines the operational forces ofsliding windows and doors by simulating force applied by handdirectly to movable sash or panels.Breakaway and in-motionoperating forces are measures of the ease of operation of1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 onPerformance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.51on Performance of Windows,Doors,Skylights and Curtain Walls.Current edition approved Sept.1,2008.Published October 2008.Originallyapproved in 2000.Last previous edition approved in 2000 as E2068 00.DOI:10.1520/E2068-00R08.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 fenestration products.Product specifications,building codes,and building specifications establish operating force limits asmeasures of product performance or limits for handicappedaccessibility,or both.5.2 Window and door performance standards for air infil-tration and water penetration in some cases require operatingforce measureme