ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

ASHRAE SEMINAR Retrofit of Commercial Buildings to

Reduce Air Leakage

Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

David Saum

Infiltec Falls Church, VA

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Where are commercial buildings regularly tested?

In 2002 the UK began testing buildings over 1,000 m2 (10,000 ft2) floor area.

In July 2008 Ireland will begin requiring testing for new a retrofit buildings.

The UK air leakage standard requires shell meet 10m3/h/m2 (0.44 cfm/ft2) @ 50 Pa

Shell is defined as walls, ceiling and floors How tight is this? 30x50x8 ft house meets

standard at 9.4 ACH @ 50 Pa Test standard developed by ATTMA

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Tools used for commercial air leakage testing Blower door fans can be stacked

but building power is limited. Large mobile fans require trailers

and external power sources.

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Example of a Very Large Building Test:

Building Type: food distribution warehouse Location: Manchester, UK Volume: 256,000 m3 (9,000,000 ft3) Surface: 58,000 m2 (624,000 ft2) Worst Case Test flow: 142 m3/s (300k

cfm) @ 50 Pa to meet 10 m3/s/m2 Test equipment: Five mobile fans with

60,000 cfm @ 0.2”wc (27 m3/s @ 50 Pa)

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Exterior of 9,000,000 ft3 Warehouse

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Trailer Mounted 60,000 cfm Mobile Fan

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Five 60,000 cfm fans required for worst case test

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Warehouse depressurized to 50 Pa via truck bays

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Aligning Fans with Bay Openings

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Unpacking the 60 Inch Diameter Flex Duct

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Opening the Gasoline Engine Exhaust Port

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Fan Connected to Temporary Door Seal

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Five Fans Depressurizing Building Simultaneously

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Fan Control Panel Analog and Digital Gauges

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Recording Fan Data During Test

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Trailer Mounted Mobile Fan Specifications:

Calibrated Flow: 7-27 m3/s (15k-65k cfm) Power: 25hp gasoline engine, electric start Weight: 570 kg (1250 lb) without trailer Dimensions: 1.8m x 1.8 m x 2.0 m Gauges: digital, plus analog backup Fan Blade: 1.37 m (54 inch) diameter Fuel Container: marine type, external Electric power: car battery, option Flex Duct: 4.5 m long, 1.5 m diameter Fuel: standard unleaded gasoline

ASHRAE SLC June 2008 Airtightness Testing of Commercial Buildings

Future of Commercial Building Testing?

Other EU Countries follow UK and Ireland testing

Increased US testing by ESCOs, government, and proactive building owners

Tougher leakage standards More Publications of results Calibration Standards Tester Certification