ISO 20492-3-2010 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 20492-3-2010 — Glass in buildings — Insulating glass — Part 3: Gas concentration and gas leakage. This part of ISO 20492 specifies laboratory test methods for sealed, gas‑filled insulating glass units (IGUs) to determine gas concentration tolerances and the gas leakage rate; it defines two alternative approaches for testing (commonly referenced as approach 1 and approach 2).

Abstract

ISO 20492-3:2010 provides two methods of test for insulating glass units: (1) a gas concentration measurement method (gas analysis, typically by gas chromatography) and (2) a leakage-rate determination method after defined conditioning/ageing. The two approaches are intended to accommodate differing market practices (approach 1 frequently used in North American markets; approach 2 frequently used in European markets).

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; under periodic review — confirmed in a 2024 review and scheduled for revision/replacement activity).
• Publication date: August 2010 (publication activity noted 29 July 2010 / edition year 2010).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 81.040.20 — Glass in building products and glazing.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2010).
• Number of pages: 27 pages.

Scope

Applies to pre‑assembled, permanently sealed insulating glass units used in buildings (windows, doors, curtain walling, skylights, roofs and internal partitions) where the edge is protected from direct ultraviolet radiation. The standard establishes test procedures to measure the retained fill gas concentration and to determine leakage rates under defined laboratory conditions; two alternative approaches are specified so that laboratories and manufacturers can select the method that best matches regional practice and the intended use of the IGUs.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of two testing approaches: a gas‑analysis (concentration) approach and a leakage‑rate approach, with detailed procedures for sampling and measurement.
• Requirements and tolerances for measured gas concentrations (e.g., argon, air mixtures) and criteria for acceptability after conditioning/ageing.
• Procedure for determination of gas leakage rate (test conditioning, measurement temperature, and calculation of annual leakage rate).
• Specification of test climate/conditioning cycles and standard laboratory conditions for repeatable results.
• Calibration and verification requirements for measurement equipment (for example gas chromatographs or other analyzers) and sampling valves/technique.

Typical use and users

Used by IGU manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, specifiers, façade engineers, building product certification bodies and quality managers who need to assess or verify the retained insulating gas concentration and the long‑term integrity of edge seals. It supports product development, quality control, type testing for compliance, and comparative assessments of ageing or fabrication methods.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 20492 series for insulating glass. Closely related parts include ISO 20492-1 (Durability of edge seals by climate tests), ISO 20492-2 (Chemical fogging tests), and ISO 20492-4 (Methods of test for the physical attributes of edge seals); these parts are commonly used together when evaluating IGU durability and performance.

Keywords

Insulating glass, IGU, gas concentration, argon, leakage rate, edge seal, gas analysis, gas chromatography, conditioning, ageing, ISO 20492, glass in buildings.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 20492-3:2010 is the ISO standard that specifies laboratory test methods for measuring gas concentration and determining gas leakage rates in sealed insulating glass units (IGUs).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers two alternative test approaches—one focused on gas concentration measurement (analysis) and the other on leakage‑rate determination—plus conditioning/ageing regimes, sampling/calibration practices, and acceptance tolerances relevant to IGU performance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: IGU manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, façade and glazing engineers, product certifiers and quality/control personnel use this standard to verify gas fill levels and seal integrity for energy and acoustic performance and durability assessments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 20492-3:2010 is published and was confirmed in a 2024 systematic review; ISO has active revision work (ISO/DIS 20492-3) aimed at replacing or updating the part, so users should check the latest revision status before assuming no changes.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO 20492 series (Insulating glass), which includes related parts on durability by climate tests, chemical fogging tests and edge‑seal physical attributes; the series is intended to be used together for comprehensive IGU assessment.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Insulating glass, IGU, gas concentration, gas leakage, argon, edge seal durability, gas analysis, leakage rate, conditioning, ISO 20492-3.