A subsidiary of the German window institute ift Rosenheim has developed a device for testing windows and façades for hail resistance. The ift MessTec GmbH gun simulates real hail to test the durability of glass, frames, and infills.
The equipment was demonstrated at BAU 2025.
According to ift MessTec GmbH, extreme hail formation is becoming increasingly frequent due to significant temperature differences and, at times, prolonged weather fronts combined with wind loads. Specialists believe that building components today must withstand much larger hailstones, higher impact speeds, and varying angles of strike.
The ift MessTec hail gun can produce ice balls ranging from 10 to 80 mm in diameter. The impact speed is adjustable from 15 to 40 m/s (54–144 km/h).
The portable tester is designed for windows, doors, and façades, enabling the assessment of glass and frame materials.
In Ukraine, two laboratories use ift MessTec GmbH test rigs to evaluate air permeability, water tightness, and wind resistance. These rigs are installed at “BM-Test” in Rivne and “Kryvbasstandartmetrologiya” in Kryvyi Rih.
Photo: ift Rosenheim
Test samples are bombarded with ice balls ranging from 10 to 80 mm in diameter at speeds of 15 to 40 m/s
At BAU 2025, a hail gun for testing the durability of windows and façades was unveiled
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