The Rising Tide of Whole Building Airtightness Testing

The construction industry is undergoing a significant shift towards energy efficiency and sustainability. A key component of this trend is the increasing demand for whole building airtightness testing . As energy codes evolve and climate concerns intensify, building owners and contractors are seeking innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption and improve building performance.

The Importance of Whole Building Airtightness Testing

Whole building airtightness testing measures the rate at which air leaks into or out of a building's envelope. By identifying and addressing air leaks and benchmarking the airtightness of a building enclosure, owners can achieve several critical benefits:

• Energy Efficiency: Air leaks can significantly reduce a building's energy efficiency by allowing conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to infiltrate through the building enclosure leading to higher heating and cooling costs. Controlling air leakage can improve the energy performance of existing buildings and aid in right-sizing equipment during the design of new buildings.
• Improved Indoor Air Quality: Controlling air leakage through the building enclosure along with proper ventilation strategies can reduce the risk of pollutants and allergens into indoor spaces, positively affecting the health and comfort of occupants.
• Enhanced Building Durability: Air leakage through the building enclosure can contribute to moisture issues, mold growth, and even structural damage over time.
• Compliance with Building Codes: Many jurisdictions are implementing stricter energy codes that require whole building airtightness testing as a condition for issuing a certificate of occupancy.

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Factors Driving the Adoption of Whole Building Airtightness Testing

Several factors are contributing to the increased adoption of whole building airtightness testing:

• Evolving Building Codes: The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has introduced more stringent airtightness requirements, encouraging wider adoption of testing practices.
• Rising Energy Costs: As energy prices continue to increase, building owners are actively seeking ways to reduce their energy consumption and operating costs.
• Growing Awareness of Climate Change: Climate change concerns are driving a shift towards more sustainable building practices, including designing and verifying more airtight enclosures.
• Technological Advancements: Advances in testing equipment and methodologies have made whole building airtightness testing more efficient and cost-effective.

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Considerations

Conducting these tests requires specialized equipment, expertise, and planning. Preparing a building for testing can be time-consuming, so it is important for the team understand the air barrier boundary of the building or unit being tested. Semi-conditioned spaces like mechanical rooms or vestibules, may not be part of the building enclosure. Because airtightness testing may require temporarily sealing off building openings and restricting access during the process, a pre-test plan can be a useful reference document. This plan should document project planning including coordination of testing performance criteria, roles and responsibilities and preparation steps before the testing begins.

Quantitative results of an airtightness test are provided in cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air flow through the square footage (SF) of the building enclosure/pressure boundary under a specific pressure (in pascals, Pa). It is important to check local jurisdictions, stretch codes, or other reference standards to confirm the performance requirements of the building or unit being tested. Additionally, qualitative methods like infrared thermography or smoke tracers can be used in conjunction with building pressurization or depressurization to identify air leakage sites that may require remediation.

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The Benefits

Whole building airtightness testing offers several advantages for building occupants and owners. It can pinpoint the source of problems, leading to more effective solutions. Additionally, whole building air testing can improve energy efficiency by identifying air leakage areas, ultimately reducing heating and cooling costs. This contributes to a more comfortable, productive, and sustainable building environment.

Conclusion

Whole building airtightness is becoming an increasingly essential component of modern building practices. As energy codes tighten and climate concerns grow, building owners and contractors must prioritize airtightness to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and building durability. By benchmarking building airtightness and addressing air leakage, building performance can be optimized, controlling serviceability and durability risks and creating a more sustainable and comfortable living and working environment. With advanced testing methods and expertise, Intertek can help building owners and contractors ensure their structures meet the highest standards for airtightness and energy efficiency.