Updates in Whole Building Airtightness Testing
Learning Objectives:
- Identify current building code requirements on both a national and jurisdictional level, and requirements of various green building programs.
- Articulate what the test provides and how the results can be used to improve the building enclosure.
- Define the differences between all the test methods available as code or specification options.
- Determine the industry resources that exist in developing contract documents for whole building airtightness testing.
Credits:
Whole building airtightness testing has been a code compliance option in the International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 for some time.
That compliance option is rarely used and only becomes mandatory as part of a building owners’ requirements, or a specific state or jurisdictional requirement.
As we move towards net-zero, building codes will “tighten” up and is expected to become a test that is mandatory on a more country-wide basis.
It is important to understand the latest in test methods, current and projected code requirements, training and certification requirements and resources to allow you to specify this requirement.
Photo courtesy of Air Barrier Association of America
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Ryan Dalgleish, has been involved in the building enclosure and building performance areas of construction in both the commercial and residential sectors for almost 25 years. He currently acts in the position of Chief Operating Officer for the Air Barrier Association of America. Ryan is actively involved in research, training development and delivery, certification management and helping industries increase their professionalism. He is a certified Net Zero building instructor, teaches master builder courses to builders across the country and is a frequent speaker at various technical presentations dealing with the building enclosure to various building official associations. |
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The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) is a national, not-for-profit trade association comprising a broad cross section of stakeholders in the building enclosure industry. Their membership, which is over 650 member companies, includes manufacturers, architects, engineers, trade contractors, researchers, testing & audit agencies, consultants and building owners. ABAA is the national voice of the air barrier industry and the number one resource for anything to do with air and moisture barriers. |
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