Are Mockups and Testing Included in a Unitized Curtain Wall Quote?
Why “Testing Included” Is Not Enough
A unitized curtain wall quotation may say “testing included,” “mockup included,” or “QA/QC provided.” Those phrases are useful starting points, but they do not identify the complete activity, specimen, configuration, project basis, agency, witness, report, responsible party, retesting route, or record package.
This article assumes that a quotation has been returned. It focuses on whether mockups, tests, inspections, witnessing, reports, retesting, corrective work, factory/site checks, and related records are explicitly disclosed. It does not design a test, choose acceptance values, interpret a code, approve engineering, or decide whether a project has passed.
Direct Answer: Are Mockups and Testing Automatically Included?
No. Mockups, testing, and QA/QC are not automatically included in every unitized curtain wall quote. Ask the supplier to list each activity separately and classify it as:
Each line should also identify the specimen or configuration, project-document basis, agency or witness, report or record, responsible party, review route, and treatment of retesting or corrective work.
Laboratory and Field/Site Mockups
Laboratory pre-construction mockups
A laboratory mockup may examine a representative portion of a proposed exterior wall system, depending on project documents. ASTM E2099-23 describes pre-construction laboratory mockup specification and evaluation. That source-scoped description does not create a universal requirement, price, schedule, or acceptance result.
- Is the mockup Included, Optional, Excluded, Subject to Confirmation, or Open Question?
- What configuration, materials, glazing/infill, interfaces, and details does it represent?
- Which drawing/model revision and approved configuration form the basis?
- Who provides specimen materials, fabrication, assembly, glazing, sealing, and changes?
- Who coordinates the agency and witness?
- Which observations, data, photographs, reports, checklists, and transfers are included?
- Who coordinates changes, corrective work, retesting, and revised reporting?
Field/site mockups
A field or site mockup may expose constructability, sequence, interference, tolerances, interfaces, and site conditions not represented in a laboratory. ASTM E3223/E3223M-20 addresses field-constructed exterior-wall mockups and expressly notes that project roles and obligations should be documented.
- Is it separate from the laboratory mockup?
- Where will it be built?
- Which substrate and interfaces does it represent?
- Who provides access and temporary protection?
- Which observations and records are included?
- Which project-defined status applies afterward?
Representative configuration
For either mockup type, connect the specimen to panel or assembly identification; drawing/model revision; glass, infill, aluminum, gaskets, sealants, anchors, hardware, and finishes; openings or interface conditions; location and support conditions; intended observation, testing, or documentation scope; and record holder and handover destination.
The project team should define what the specimen represents and what it does not represent. A representative description is not a universal performance statement, and one mockup should not be presented as representing every facade condition.
Test Scope, Project Basis, and Agency Responsibilities
Project basis and method reference
Each test line item should identify the project specification, test brief, inspection and test plan, approved configuration, contract requirement, or other project-defined basis. A quote may reference ASTM E331-00(2023), AAMA/FGIA 501.4-18, AAMA/FGIA 501.7-17, or another method where referenced by project documents. This article does not select applicability or set acceptance values.
ASTM E331 describes water-penetration testing under a uniform static air-pressure difference and notes that results can depend on installation, adjustment, support construction, thermal movement, vibration, and other conditions. AAMA/FGIA 501.4-18 and 501.7-17 describe method contexts for specified horizontal or vertical inter-story movement evaluations. These references support questions about method, specimen, configuration, support conditions, and reporting; they do not make a test automatically applicable, sufficient, passed, or compliant.
Test agency, inspector, and witness
ASTM E329-21 addresses inspection/testing agency personnel, facilities, equipment, quality systems, responsibilities, methods, records, reports, review, and transmission of findings. The quotation and project documents should state:
- agency or inspector appointment and scope;
- test or inspection method and project basis;
- witness role and limitations;
- specimen/configuration information;
- data, report, photograph, and checklist deliverables;
- report review, response, and status route;
- retest, corrective-work, and revised-report responsibilities; and
- record holder and handover format.
A witness signature, agency report, or inspection record is a project record with defined scope. It does not by itself establish final acceptance, code compliance, certification, contractual completion, or performance for the whole project.
Reports and review/status
Identify whether reports are prepared, reviewed, transmitted, revised, or archived under the quoted scope. Ask whether the supplier provides data where required, photographs, checklists, nonconformance or corrective-action records, comment/response logs, revised reports, and a final record index.
Report issued and Reviewed are workflow or documentation statuses. They should not be treated as automatic approval or final acceptance.
Factory Inspection and Factory Glazing/Sealing Checks
A testing and QA/QC quotation should separate incoming, in-process, factory-glazing/sealing, dimensional, labeling, packaging/protection, and factory-release checks. Factory glazing does not automatically remove every site inspection requirement.
The exact checks, formats, sampling, timing, and responsible parties depend on project documents and applicable professional or QA/QC requirements. This article does not prescribe a universal inspection plan.
Factory Release
Define what Factory Release means for the project. It may be a production or documentation status associated with a panel or batch, but it is not automatically site receiving, installation approval, final acceptance, certification, code compliance, or contractual completion.
FOWALL publicly describes categories including incoming material verification, in-process quality control, functional testing, final audit, project labeling, packaging/protection, and document requests. These public process descriptions support quotation questions; they do not prove that a specific quote includes every check or that a process guarantees project quality.
Site Receiving, Site Glazing, and Installation-Related Checks
Site-side QA/QC may include receiving condition, labels, package damage, storage/protection, site glazing/sealing, installation observations, and records. Whether these activities are included depends on the quotation, installation scope, project QA/QC documents, and assigned parties.
- Who performs site receiving and records damage or shortage?
- Who checks labels and panel/configuration identity?
- Who provides storage and protection and records pre-installation condition?
- Is site glazing included, and who checks glass, gaskets, sealants, and interfaces?
- Are installation-related observations or checklists included?
- Who records adjustments, nonconformance, corrective action, replacement, and reinspection?
- Which records are part of the test/QA-QC handover package?
This is a scope clarification section, not an installation method or acceptance guide. Factory release does not automatically substitute for site receiving, installation-related checks, or final project review.
Retesting, Corrective Work, and Change Control
A quotation should disclose the process for changes after a report, observation, or nonconformance. Keep cost, programme, testing, logistics, installation, and documentation effects To be confirmed until project documents and responsible parties establish them.
Request fields for the triggering observation, report, or comment; affected specimen, configuration, panel, location, or work area; drawing, model, material, or method revision; proposed correction or rework; responsible coordinator and reviewer; agency, witness, report, or reinspection route; project-defined retest requirement; revised quotation, change, or addendum reference; effects marked To be confirmed; and status and record route.
Do not say retesting is free, included, automatically attributable to one party, or guaranteed to produce a particular result without project-specific documentation.
Status Taxonomy
Quotation scope
IncludedOptionalExcludedSubject to ConfirmationOpen QuestionWorkflow / project
Open / Submitted / ReturnedRevised / ReviewedProfessional reviewResponsibility to assignRecordTest / inspection
Specimen preparedTest scheduled / performedReport issuedComment/response openRetest / Corrective workProject status
Factory ReleaseSite ReceivingFinal AcceptanceThese families are project-defined and must not be interchanged. A report, witness sign-off, Reviewed, Factory Release, Site Receiving, or Test performed status is not automatically an approval, code-compliance conclusion, certification, final acceptance, or contractual-completion conclusion.
Test and QA/QC Scope Matrix
Use exactly these quotation scope labels: Included, Optional, Excluded, Subject to Confirmation, and Open Question.
| Test / QA item | Specimen / configuration | Project basis / method reference | Agency / witness / report | Responsible party | Retest / corrective-work field | Quotation status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory mockup | Representative unitized configuration, materials, interfaces, location | Project brief, specification, test plan | To assign | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| Field/site mockup | Location, sequence, substrate/interface, representative condition | Project documents and approved brief | To assign | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| Test activity | Configuration and scope; no method/value selection here | Project-defined test basis | Agency/data/report route | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| Incoming inspection | Materials/components and records | Project QA/QC documents | Inspector/record route | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| In-process/factory checks | Assembly, glazing, sealing, dimensional, labeling | Factory procedure and project documents | Records/review route | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| Factory release | Panel status, release record, document package | Project-defined release route | Reviewer/status to assign | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| Site receiving/site checks | Damage, labels, storage/protection, receiving records | Site QA/QC and delivery documents | Inspector/record route | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| Retest/corrective work | Revised specimen/affected work and change record | Project change/test process | Agency/witness/report to assign | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
| Test/handover records | Reports, photos, checklists, corrective records, status | Handover/project requirements | Document controller/reviewer | Parties to assign | To be confirmed | One of five labels |
This is a quotation-disclosure tool. It does not design tests, set acceptance values, assign legal responsibility, define performance, or prove project compliance.
Mockup/Test Responsibility Matrix and Inspection Checklist
The status column is intentionally named Status / role field / open item. Responsibility to assign is a role-allocation field; the five quotation labels are scope labels; Open Question is an unresolved quotation item.
| Activity | Project-defined owner / design role | Contractor | Supplier / fabricator | Installer | Test agency / inspector | QA/QC / document control | Status / role field / open item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mockup brief/configuration | Role to assign | Coordinate as assigned | Provide data/samples as assigned | Site input if required | Review/perform as appointed | Record route | Responsibility to assign |
| Mockup preparation | Party to assign | Coordinate/access | Fabricate/assemble if included | Install if included | Observe/perform if appointed | Records | Subject to Confirmation |
| Test appointment/witnessing | Project-defined role | Coordinate | Support as stated | Support access | Perform/witness/report | Record/report route | Responsibility to assign |
| Factory inspection/release | Project-defined role | Review/coordinate | Perform/record if included | — | Inspect if appointed | Maintain records | Subject to Confirmation |
| Site receiving/checks | Project/site role | Coordinate | Provide records/support | Check/install as assigned | Inspect if appointed | Record status | Responsibility to assign |
| Retesting/corrective work | Review/change role | Coordinate | Correct/rework if included | Reinstall/adjust if included | Retest/report if appointed | Record changes | Subject to Confirmation |
| Test/handover records | Define requirements | Compile/coordinate | Provide factory records | Provide site records | Provide reports | Index/submit/store | Open Question |
Inspection checklist
- Is factory inspection classified with one of the five scope labels?
- Are incoming material/component checks identified?
- Are assembly, glazing, sealing, dimensional, and labeling checks identified?
- Are panel labels, factory release, and release records defined?
- Is packaging/protection inspection included or separately assigned?
- Are site receiving, damage, storage, and protection checks included?
- Are factory glazing and site glazing separated, including labor, materials, inspection, and records?
- Are installation-related observations included without recreating installation scope?
- Who records nonconformance, correction, replacement, reinspection, and re-delivery?
- Which reports, photographs, checklists, and handover records are included?
- Which items remain Subject to Confirmation, Open Question, Professional review, or Responsibility to assign?
Roles must be assigned through project documents and applicable appointments. This matrix is not a universal allocation.
Clarification Questions Before Award
- Are laboratory and field/site mockups separately listed?
- What specimen, configuration, materials, interfaces, and location does each represent?
- Which project document, test brief, specification, or approved configuration forms the basis?
- Which test methods are referenced, and who confirms applicability?
- Who appoints and coordinates the agency, inspector, or witness?
- Which reports, data, photographs, checklists, and records are included?
- What review/status route applies to a report or witnessed activity?
- Are retesting, changed specimens, corrective work, rework, replacement, reinspection, and re-delivery separately stated?
- Are incoming, in-process, glazing/sealing, dimensional, labeling, and release checks included?
- Are site receiving, site glazing, protection, and installation-related checks included?
- Which items use each of the five quotation scope labels?
- Who coordinates the register and retains the project record?
- Which cost, programme, testing, logistics, installation, and handover effects remain To be confirmed?
FAQ: Mockups, Testing, and QA/QC in Quotations
Are mockups included in a unitized curtain wall quote?
Not automatically. Ask whether laboratory and field/site mockups are separate line items, then confirm the specimen, configuration, materials, interfaces, location, basis, agency/witness, reports, retesting, corrective work, and records.
Is curtain wall testing included in the quotation?
The word “testing” is not enough. Ask which activity, specimen, basis, agency, witness, report, review route, retest/corrective-work treatment, responsible party, and quotation status are included.
What is the difference between laboratory and field mockups?
A laboratory mockup is prepared in a controlled setting described by project documents; a field/site mockup is constructed at or for the site and may involve site interfaces, sequence, access, and local conditions. The project must define purpose and represented configuration.
Who appoints the curtain wall test agency or witness?
The appointing party should be identified in project documents, quotation, responsibility matrix, or applicable appointment. Confirm who coordinates agency, witness, report, review, response, retest, and record routes.
Who pays for curtain wall retesting or corrective work?
Do not assume the answer. Ask project and quotation documents to identify coordination, correction, rework, retesting, reinspection, replacement, re-delivery, and commercial effects. Keep unresolved effects To be confirmed.
Are factory and site inspections included in curtain wall pricing?
Not automatically. Separate incoming, in-process, factory glazing/sealing, dimensional, labeling, factory-release, site-receiving, site-glazing, protection, and installation-related checks, with a status and responsible party for each.
Does factory glazing change the testing and QA/QC scope?
It may change which checks and records occur at the factory or site, but no universal allocation should be assumed. Separate factory glazing/sealing, packaging/protection, receiving, site glazing, installation checks, and handover records.
Does a curtain wall test report prove project approval or compliance?
No automatic conclusion should be drawn. A report has a defined specimen, configuration, method, conditions, data, and review route. Project professionals and documents determine how it is reviewed and whether it supports a separate status or acceptance decision.
Conclusion and Project-Specific CTA
Mockups, testing, inspections, witnessing, reports, retesting, corrective work, factory/site checks, and QA/QC records should be itemized in a quotation rather than hidden behind “testing included.”
- Separate the activities. List laboratory mockups, field/site mockups, tests, inspections, witnesses, reports, retesting, corrective work, factory/site checks, and records.
- Define the basis. Link each item to the specimen/configuration, project documents, method reference, approved configuration, and interfaces.
- Assign the route. Name the agency, witness, responsible party, reviewer, record holder, and retest/corrective-work coordinator.
- Separate statuses. Keep quotation scope labels apart from workflow, test/inspection, and project statuses.
- Record unresolved effects. Keep cost, programme, testing, logistics, installation, documentation, and handover effects To be confirmed.
- Obtain professional review. Route test selection, acceptance criteria, design, contract, code, installation, QA/QC, and final acceptance to qualified professionals.
Share the quotation, mockup brief, test schedule, inspection and test plan, approved configuration, responsibility matrix, report requirements, and handover list for a project-specific mockup, testing, and QA/QC scope review.
FOWALL’s public pages describe categories such as engineering review, material verification, in-process quality control, testing, final audit, labeling, packaging/protection, and document requests. Any service availability, scope, fee, test activity, report, technical responsibility, or deliverable must be confirmed for the specific project. This article does not provide test design, test results, approval, compliance, performance, quality, price, delivery, or supplier-capability conclusions.
