BLOWER DOOR TESTING

Measured Air Leakage

HOW DOES A BLOWER DOOR TEST WORK?

A blower door is used on buildings to measure air leakage through the building envelope. The test is performed with a calibrated variable speed fan and a digital pressure measuring instrument.

The blower door fan induces a range of airflows to depressurize a building. Our instruments use Bernoulli's Principle to calculate flow rates from pressure differentials. Results are expressed in cfm or ACH (air changes per hour).

IECC 2015 requires homes to achieve an air leakage rate less than or equal to 5 ACH.

IECC 2015 REQUIREMENTS:

•g) Air leakage. - R402. 4 is hereby amended to read:

Air leakage. -- The building thermal envelope shall be constructed to limit air leakage in accordance with the requirements of Sections R402. 4. 1 through R402. 4. 4.

Exception: Dwelling units of R- 2 occupancies and multiple single-family dwellings shall be permitted to comply with IECC Section C402. 5.

•h) Testing. - R402. 4. 1. 2 is hereby amended to read:

The building or dwelling unit shall be tested and verified as having an air leakage rate not exceeding 5 air changes per hour in Climate Zones 1 through 8. Testing shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM E 779 or ASTM E 1827 and reported at a pressure of 0.2-inch w. g. (50 Pascals). Testing shall be conducted by an approved third party. A written report of the results of the test shall be signed by the party conducting the test and provided to the code official. Testing shall be performed at any time after creation of all penetrations of the building thermal envelope.

BLOWER DOOR TEST (RESIDENTIAL)

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For a Multi-family unit and Small Commercial Properties, please call for estimate.