Air Leakage Testing Services

 

Whole building air leakage testing measures the air infiltration of a building after it has been completely enclosed and finishes have been installed. It is commonly known as blower door testing, because the fans are often placed in an open door frame. It is also referred to as air barrier testing.

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Whole building air leakage testing measures the air infiltration of a building after it has been completely enclosed and finishes have been installed. It is commonly known as blower door testing, because the fans are often placed in an open door frame. It is also referred to as air barrier testing.

Contact Us

air leakage testing

Understanding the Process of Air Leakage Testing

Air leakage testing is a method for measuring a building’s airtightness. During the process, a professional typically installs a temporary door panel with a blower fan in an exterior entryway. The high-power fan ushers air out of the building, which lowers the internal air pressure. Testers can reverse the fan’s operation to increase the air pressure inside if necessary.

Built-in pressure gauges and a manometer — an instrument measuring airflow — help identify how much air leakage and infiltration the structure experiences. Test professionals may also use additional diagnostic tools to verify data.

Air leakage testing is a method for measuring a building’s airtightness. During the process, a professional typically installs a temporary door panel with a blower fan in an exterior entryway. The high-power fan ushers air out of the building, which lowers the internal air pressure. Testers can reverse the fan’s operation to increase the air pressure inside if necessary.

Built-in pressure gauges and a manometer — an instrument measuring airflow — help identify how much air leakage and infiltration the structure experiences. Test professionals may also use additional diagnostic tools to verify data.

air leakage testing

Recognizing the Value of Air Leakage Testing

Airtight buildings contribute to lower energy usage, improved indoor air quality and increased occupant comfort. This testing is part of a comprehensive package of enclosure testing to verify the building envelope’s performance.

Air Leakage Testing for Financial and Environmental Benefits

A building’s airtightness directly affects its overhead costs. Gaps and breaks in the structure’s envelope allow unwanted air penetration and leaks that adversely impact heating and cooling bills. Once professionals resolve the issues, occupants can lower their energy consumption to save money. Less use translates into fewer greenhouse gases and a reduced carbon footprint.

Air leakage testing is also valuable for identifying the correct airflow and size for HVAC equipment. Installing the proper systems allows them to run more efficiently and may help extend their life spans for additional savings and eco-friendliness.

How Air Leakage Testing Augments Project Quality

Since air leakage testing identifies drafts, leaks and gaps, it leads directly to higher-quality results. Discovering and logging inconsistencies can point to plan or construction flaws that professionals can resolve going forward for better building envelope design. Plus, air leakage testing verifies that projects meet intended or specified standards and comply with regulations.

Ensuring Comfortable Interiors with Air Leakage Testing

Drafty interiors are more than inefficient — they are also uncomfortable and can pose additional issues, such as potential health risks.

By discovering and remediating leakage issues, your building can maintain more consistent and comfortable interior temperatures. 

A building air leakage test also uncovers structural vulnerabilities that could allow undesirable moisture buildup. Excess interior condensation can lead to mold growth and respiratory irritation, with more pronounced symptoms in highly sensitive people.

Additionally, assessments can help you discover what exterior contaminants may be making their way into your building and impacting its indoor air quality. Results indicate whether the structure needs additional ventilation support or other air quality management solutions.

Recognizing the Value of Air Leakage Testing

Airtight buildings contribute to lower energy usage, improved indoor air quality and increased occupant comfort. This testing is part of a comprehensive package of enclosure testing to verify the building envelope’s performance.

Air Leakage Testing for Financial and Environmental Benefits

A building’s airtightness directly affects its overhead costs. Gaps and breaks in the structure’s envelope allow unwanted air penetration and leaks that adversely impact heating and cooling bills. Once professionals resolve the issues, occupants can lower their energy consumption to save money. Less use translates into fewer greenhouse gases and a reduced carbon footprint.

Air leakage testing is also valuable for identifying the correct airflow and size for HVAC equipment. Installing the proper systems allows them to run more efficiently and may help extend their life spans for additional savings and eco-friendliness.

How Air Leakage Testing Augments Project Quality

Since air leakage testing identifies drafts, leaks and gaps, it leads directly to higher-quality results. Discovering and logging inconsistencies can point to plan or construction flaws that professionals can resolve going forward for better building envelope design. Plus, air leakage testing verifies that projects meet intended or specified standards and comply with regulations.

Ensuring Comfortable Interiors with Air Leakage Testing

Drafty interiors are more than inefficient — they are also uncomfortable and can pose additional issues, such as potential health risks.

By discovering and remediating leakage issues, your building can maintain more consistent and comfortable interior temperatures. 

A building air leakage test also uncovers structural vulnerabilities that could allow undesirable moisture buildup. Excess interior condensation can lead to mold growth and respiratory irritation, with more pronounced symptoms in highly sensitive people.

Additionally, assessments can help you discover what exterior contaminants may be making their way into your building and impacting its indoor air quality. Results indicate whether the structure needs additional ventilation support or other air quality management solutions.

two engineers conducting a vibration test

Understanding the Right Time for Air Leakage Testing Services

Air leakage testing can only occur once the building envelope is finished. Installers must place all doors, windows and weather stripping for proper testing results. During new construction projects, it is practical to test before installing siding or exterior covering when remediation can become more challenging, time-consuming and costly.

Property owners and managers may request air leakage testing as part of an energy audit to find ways to lower utility costs. When constructing a new building, an owner or developer may insist on testing to promote higher-quality results. Industrial facilities may use air leakage testing services if their monitoring devices indicate issues with indoor air quality or external contaminant penetration.

Legislative Requirements Directing Air Leakage Testing

In some cases, air leakage testing is mandatory. For example, Pennsylvania requires third-party testing on new construction projects. Many other states have also adopted the International Construction Code (ICC) of 2015, establishing testing as a standard. Assessments may apply in certain areas when performing property renovations as well.

Testing is often required for projects under government agency specifications, such as those needing involvement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Understanding the Right Time for Air Leakage Testing Services

Air leakage testing can only occur once the building envelope is finished. Installers must place all doors, windows and weather stripping for proper testing results. During new construction projects, it is practical to test before installing siding or exterior covering when remediation can become more challenging, time-consuming and costly.

Property owners and managers may request air leakage testing as part of an energy audit to find ways to lower utility costs. When constructing a new building, an owner or developer may insist on testing to promote higher-quality results. Industrial facilities may use air leakage testing services if their monitoring devices indicate issues with indoor air quality or external contaminant penetration.

Legislative Requirements Directing Air Leakage Testing

In some cases, air leakage testing is mandatory. For example, Pennsylvania requires third-party testing on new construction projects. Many other states have also adopted the International Construction Code (ICC) of 2015, establishing testing as a standard. Assessments may apply in certain areas when performing property renovations as well.

Testing is often required for projects under government agency specifications, such as those needing involvement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

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Deciding Who Needs Air Leakage Testing Services

Property owners and tenants typically perform this testing after building occupancy so issues can be identified and addressed to enable the building to function as intended without interruption or accelerated deterioration. To read more about air leakage testing, click here.

Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding air leakage testing.

Property owners and tenants typically perform this testing after building occupancy so issues can be identified and addressed to enable the building to function as intended without interruption or accelerated deterioration. To read more about air leakage testing, click here.

Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding air leakage testing.

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Choose ECS for Reliable and Efficient Air Leakage Testing

The ECS team has the skills, innovation and resources you need to help you bring successful construction projects to fruition. We offer an array of engineering solutions encompassing each step, from concept design to post-construction assessments.

Connect with us online for more information or to request a free quote.

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Explore ECS’s Notable Projects in Air Leakage Testing

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  • Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Aviation Support Facility, Air National Guard Base, IL
  • Bank of America South End, Charlotte, NC
  • Homewood Wegman, Frederick, MD

Explore ECS’s Notable Projects in Air Leakage Testing

  • Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Aviation Support Facility, Air National Guard Base, IL
  • Bank of America South End, Charlotte, NC
  • Homewood Wegman, Frederick, MD
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Contact Us for Expert Air Leakage Testing Services and Support