EN an Introduction Some thoughts by Harald Kahles

Review of existing Standards Existing standards focus on testing issues Performance Criteria

High Humidity Cycle Rel. Hum: >95% 55 ºC 25 ºC 140 mins 40 mins Time Weather Cycle Time 25 ºC -15 ºC 55 ºC 0 ºC 90 mins Room Conditions Fogging Test 300 W lamp, 220 V Temperature : 23 ºC Visual Control Pressure Test Dew Point Visual Control Dew Point BS 5713

57 ºC 23 ºC 0 ºC -18 ºC Relative Humidity > 95% Climate Cycles 12 Hours 1 Hour Time Constant Climate Temperature: 58 ºC Rel. Hum.: >95% Room Conditions Visual Control Dew Point Moisture Content Visual Control Dew Point Moisture Content Moisture Penetration Index EN 1279 Pt 2

What is new about EN 1279 ? Testing procedures only part of the wider picture References made to specification, manufacturing, components and to conformity certification

Comparision of standards BS 5713 AcceleratedWeathering Criteria: Dewpoint after test DIN 1286 Initial Load on Dessicant Accelerated Weathering Criteria: Load on dessicant after test Gas loss rates EN1279  1.System Description   2.Test:Air filled units   3.Test: Gas filled units   4.Physical Attributes of edge seals   5.Evaluation of Conformity   6.Factory Production Control  CE Mark >>>>>>>>> CE Mark Kitemark Scheme Branded QA scheme with 3rd Party sampling and testing RAL Gütegemeinschaft Branded QA scheme with 3rd Party sampling and testing

Conclusion EN 1279 affects all aspects of an IG business –Requires more management input CE Marking requirement is mandatory –Facilitates EU trading –Level playing field –Additional cost to be born by All –Loss of competitive advantage ?

Part 1: System Description Describe the products you wish to manufacture under your production conditions. Describe component parts and edge seal systems See Annex A for rules What business are you in ? Do you wish to continue making the „Specials“ you produce now ?

Part 2: Test Method / Moisture penetration criteria Submit typical units conforming to the description in Part 1 to Type testing in a test house. Passed: file test reports to supply if asked for Failed: reconsider design / manufacturing practice/ components No need for in house testing to Pt.2No need for in house testing to Pt.2

Part 2: Pass /fail criteria - Moisture penetration index 15 units per set Tough test: long period of high humidity and elevated temperature ( 7 weeks / 58°C/ 95%r.H) Only 20 % of a systems desicant absorbtion capacity may be used up after testing => Mpi:smaller than 0,2

Part 3: Test method: Gas loss/ gas concentration Similar to pt. 2: shorter high humidity ( 4 weeks) Permissable gas loss: less than 1 % per year Practical significance: –Annex B: Test units versus natural aged units showed higher gas losses by factor of 10 ! Ageing to DIN deemed comparable to Pt. 3 ageing. External test – no in house testingExternal test – no in house testing

Part 4:Test: Physical attributes of edge seals Recognises the importance of the edge seal Tool for describing /defining specific edge products as outlined in pt.1 Basis for substitution of products Basis for confirming consistency of products Third party checking of sealant manufacturers.

Part 4: OAB – the magic triangle 50 % 0,5 Mpa 0 A B Elongation / strain stress Cross over stress

Part 4: Information to be supplied by sealant supplier

Part 5: Evaluation of conformity Covers issues such as marking and what level of attestation is required. Multiple lines, multiple sites.

Part 6: Factory production control Just that: control of the product you produce in the factory to ensure that it is consistently produced in accordance with Pt.1 ( Description), Pt. 2&3 ( Type testing) and Pt. 4 (Edge seal performance) Many concepts reminiscent of ISO 9000x Very detailed requirements.

Part 6: Factory production control

Factory Production Control Adhesion Glass - daily Adhesion spacer -daily Dessicant activity –daily Mix test - daily ( 2 part only ) Shore Hardness 24h ( 2 part only ) Audit test – once per year Fogging test –once per year / new components

Group 1, Goods inwards Example GD 116 Recommendations for factory production control 7.1  delivery note 7.2  label 7.3a  must be done individually. 7.3b  not relevant 7.4  is satisfied by 7.1 in section  Certificate of conformity ( Coc)

Group 2, Production checks Example GD 116 Recommendations for factory production control 7.1  must be done. (annex F / Techinfo) 7.2  not relevant 7.3  must be done. (Instruction manual machine / Techinfo) 7.4  must be done. (annex D / Techinfo) 7.5  must be done. (Techinfo) 7.6  must be done. (annex E / Techinfo) 7.7  must be done. (Techinfo)

Group 3, Final goods inspection Example GD 116 Recommendations for factory production control 9  not relevant, if volatile content is known (Coc)

Methods from EN annex D: Streak test  2 pieces 4mm Float, ca. 250 x 150 mm, ca. 10 g sealant annex E: Härte Shore A measurement  Sample mind. Ø 50mm, thickness 6mm, Curing A) 60±5 60°C or B) room temperature or C) room temperature. Reading after 1 sec. using ca. 5kg pressure. annex F:Adhesion test Glass/Glass: see illustration 1 Adhesion test Glass/spacer: see illustration 2 Recommendations for factory production control illustration 1 illustration 2 illustration 3

Support for internal audit EN annex B, „Audit testing and Inspections“ Purpose: to determine effectiveness and efficiency of the FPC in supporting the production and confirming conformity Visual inspection of the edge seal –MPI ( Short test ) –Gas transmission on foils –Gas concentartion ( fill levels) Frequency of inspection and testing –initially twice per year. After four positive tests : annual test –Substitution of one component : repeat –Failed test : repeat within 2 months Random sampling from production batches

Support for internal audit Support by Kömerling via tests in the IG lab Audit weathering test to EN –5 IG units 350 x 500 mm, ideally 12 mm spacer Moisture penetration index ( MPI) Gasfill levels Written Report –Takes 6 to 7 weeks –Capacity 8 tests per week –Costs A-customers ca. € 350,- B-customers ca. € 480,- standard form must be filled in completly. TPS / Superspacer by prior discussion.

What to do..... Panic !Panic !.....might be your first reaction if this is new to you Seek help from: suppliers, trade organisations, test houses, consultants.