Air Barrier Testing

Buildings in Wisconsin and throughout much of the Midwest experience extreme weather throughout the year. If buildings do not have a detailed air barrier, they are susceptible to drafts and building integrity issues.  Rooms or a room can be too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, uncomfortable, or even have unhealthy indoor air quality for occupants. Prevent your building occupants and utility costs from suffering due to issues with an ineffective air barrier with help from the experts at Accurate-Airtight Exteriors.  We complete whole building air barrier testing.

Why is the Air Barrier Important?

One of the largest sources of energy loss in most buildings is from unnoticed air leaks. Tests carried out by the National Research Council of Canada on high-rise commercial and residential buildings, schools, supermarkets and houses have shown levels of 30-50% of heat loss which could be attributed to air leakage.  We can attest to projects we have tested or completed that have achieved even higher reductions.  Achieving 10% plus in energy savings can be done easily when knowing where to target.

Achieving a tight air barrier, sometimes referred to as a “pressure boundary,” can help conserve energy, making your building less expensive to operate while increasing comfort and health benefits for occupants. Since air carries heat, pollution and moisture with it, by tightening the air barrier, your conditioned property will experience more steady indoor temperatures throughout the year, reducing your need to run your HVAC. In addition, you may see an improvement in the building’s indoor air quality.

Accurate-Airtight Exteriors Air Barrier Services for Commercial Buildings

To understand the impact air leakage is having on your building, Accurate-Airtight Exteriors may first conduct a blower door test, also called an air barrier performance test. This test is designed to measure your building’s airtightness or the effectiveness of the pressure boundary. Air barrier pressurization and depressurization testing uses a manometer to measure pressure differences across your building shell.  This test can be done for both quantitative as well as quantitative results.  We have large trailer mounted blower door fans as well many small standard size blower doors that can go into a single doorway, either 1 or 3 high.

Air barrier leak testing can help:

• Identify the locations of major air leakage with the help of visual indicators and thermal imaging

• Diagnose comfort, indoor air quality and durability issues within your building

• Help estimate the cost and effort associated with air barrier repair

• Quantify the value of the lost conditioned air, helping you determine what your possible savings could be

After testing and gathering data about your property, Accurate-Airtight Exteriors formulates a report which includes either some options for resolving air barrier issues or a notice that your building meets the specified building standard for air infiltration and airflow.

Adhering to Air Barrier Guidelines

Accurate-Airtight Exteriors air barrier testing services adheres to strict guidelines for testing commercial buildings; including testing to meet the 2015 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) using ASTM and ISO standards.  Through the use of our inventory of blower doors and infrared cameras we are able to offer you the highest level of service provided by well trained and experienced professionals.  With Building Envelope Commissioning Providers on staff ready to serve you. 

Accurate-Airtight Exteriors has completed air barrier tests to ASTM E779, ASTM E1827, ASTM E1186, ASTM E783, ISO 6781, ABAA, as well as many others. 

ASTM E779 or the standard test method for determining air leakage rate by fan pressurization is one of the most common tests. We also comply with ASTM E1827, the standard test methods for determining airtightness of buildings using an orifice blower door, we see used more often for smaller buildings. For military facilities, we follow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) air leakage test protocol for testing the effectiveness of the building air barrier.

Quality assurance builds the quality into the project at the front end of the project. this ensures a comprehensive approach that by design is suited to control errors.  This prevents errors before they are more costly to fix. Quality control builds quality in at the back end of the project, but may not be as effective at ensuring a well built building.

Regardless of your needs, you can feel confident that ACCURATE-AIRTIGHT EXTERIORS will ensure your building meets, if not exceeds, various required standards to help you get the largest savings, health and comfort benefits possible for your commercial property.  It is our objective to ensure that you meet your goals!

Contact us or call

866.582.4320

today to learn how our air barrier testing and consulting services can help improve your building while saving you money!