Building Air Leakage Test Results

The test measures air leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and depressurization.

Building air leakage test results.

These results can be used to compare the relative airtightness of similar buildings determine airtightness improvements from retrofit measures applied to an existing building and predict air leakage. These test methods produce results that characterize the airtightness of the building envelope. Testing the completed using both pressurization and building depressurization and documenting that the air leakage rate of the building thermal envelope does not exceed 0 25 cfm ft2 under a pressure differential of 0 3 in. Use of this standard in conjunction practices.

I wouldn t want a carpenter building me a wall without testing it for squareness or a plumber working on my pipes without testing for leaks. In essence it is a measure of heat loss through cold draughts. Building testing is not a mandatory test prescribed in building codes but a performance based option that many designers are requiring. I ve worked on day long air sealing jobs that yielded anywhere between 10 frustrating to 30 satisfying reduction in air leakage.

An air leakage test is a test to determine the level of uncontrolled air flow through gaps or cracks in the fabric of a building. Water 1 57 lb ft2 0 02 l s m2 under a pressure differential of 75 pa in accordance with.