Facades are constantly exposed to environmental factors like temperature changes, humidity, wind forces, and pollution, which cause long-term deterioration. ASTM E2270, previously referred to as the American Society for Testing and Materials, offers a scientific method for the regular inspection of facades to detect hazardous conditions before causing damage to property or injury.
It establishes unsafe conditions, such as those that might be able to detach from the building and drop, causing risks to public safety. The standard applies to any material and construction type of facade, such as masonry, stone, concrete, metal panel, and glass curtain walls. It suggests intervals of inspection, assessment methods, and detailed reporting procedures to record façade conditions and required repairs. Adopting ASTM E2270 prolongs the life of structures while complying with municipal safety standards.
Need ASTM E2270 Testing? Here’s How the Method Works
| Close-Range Visual Inspection | Conducted using suspended scaffolding or boom lifts to allow direct observation of facade surfaces for cracks, spalls, delamination, or corrosion. |
| Physical Probing | Performed with hammers or chisels to test the soundness of stone, concrete, or masonry units by tapping to detect hollow or delaminated areas. |
| Movement Monitoring | Measurements taken using crack gauges or displacement transducers to assess the progression of facade cracks or differential movement over time. |
