My cookie preferencesFACETest complements and enhances Eurac Research’s laboratories dedicated to façade systems, offering services such as:
- testing the performance and reliability of commercial products;
- developing and validating prototypes and new product lines;
- conducting experimental research in collaboration with companies and other research institutions.
Tightness and mechanical strength testing
Development of a new infrastructure for testing the air permeability, water tightness and wind load resistance (A/W/V tests) of façade systems, including under static loads.
The tests are carried out on full-scale mock-ups, including three-dimensional systems, both in the laboratory and on-site. The structure is designed to accommodate façade samples up to approximately 7.5 m wide and 9 m high. A system of height-adjustable horizontal beams allows for the configuration of different floor-to-floor heights.
A central partition wall divides the space into three test chambers — the full 7.5 m width, a medium chamber of 4.7 m and a small chamber of 2.3 m — allowing for the testing of both large-scale façades and smaller components such as windows and sliding doors, reducing the number of infill panels required and simplifying set-up operations.
Tests carried out in accordance with the following reference standards:
- Air permeability: UNI EN 12153 and UNI EN 12152
- Water tightness under static pressure: UNI EN 12155 and UNI EN 12154
- Water tightness under dynamic conditions: UNI EN 13050
- Wind load resistance: UNI EN 12179 and UNI EN 13116
- Impact test on curtain walls (UNI EN 14019) and windows and doors (UNI EN 13049)
- Option to adopt Method B of the UNI EN 13830 product standard for curtain walls, with static movement of the curtain wall
The structure is designed to be flexible and adaptable to façades of various sizes, geometries and construction types, including three-dimensional elements such as corners. The project was developed with the direct contribution of some of the leading Italian companies in the façade sector, who participated in dedicated meetings to share feedback, practical experience and operational requirements.
Thermo-hygrometric and energy performance
Optimisation of existing infrastructure to assess the thermo-hygrometric performance of building envelope systems, with the aim of reducing energy consumption and improving the building’s overall efficiency.
Digital twin
Use of experimental results to calibrate digital models, employed to store information in an interoperable manner and for the continuous assessment and optimisation of building envelope performance.
Prototyping and Proof of Concept
Services dedicated to companies developing innovative solutions for façade systems, with support from the conceptual phase through to experimental validation.
