Controlling and Verifying Commercial

Building Infiltration

“Things that are measured tend to improve.”

(J.K. Galbraith)

Better Buildings by Design 2016

Credit(s) earned on
completion of this course
will be reported to AIA
CES for AIA members.
Certificates of Completion
for both AIA members and
non-AIA members are
available upon request.
___________________
Questions related to
specific materials, methods,
and services will be
addressed at the conclusion
of this presentation.
This course is registered
with AIA CES for
continuing professional
education. As such, it does
not include content that
may be deemed or
construed to be an approval
or endorsement by the AIA
of any material of
construction or any
method or manner of
handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in
any material or product.
 Learning Objectives

1. Benchmarks
2. Testing protocols
3. Value of testing
4. Limitations of testing

3
© 2015 CLEAResult. All rights reserved. 9
Control Air Flow For:
 Moisture
 Health
 Comfort
 Energy Savings
 Air Tightness
Organization Year Metric
[cfm75/ft2]
US Army Corps of Engineers 2009 0.25
ASHRAE 189.1 (optional) 2009 0.25
Washington State 2012 0.40
US General Services Admin. 2010 0.40
Naval Facilities Eng. Command 2011 0.25
US Air Force 2011 0.40
IECC Commercial (optional) 2012 0.40
IgCC 2012 0.25
IECC Residential (required) 2012 3.0 ACH50
 ASHRAE 1478 RP

Slide Courtesy of Wiss Janney Elstner Associates

 Project Timeline

Start Construction Occupancy

Start Design Test

Air Barrier Installation

Good Testing ≠ Tight Building
 Design Phase
 Continuity
 Owner’s Project Requirements
 Simplicity
 Construction Phase
 Coordination
 Quality control
Continuity in Drawings
 Transitions
 Roof to Wall
 Wall to Foundation
 Windows
 Curtain wall
 Expansion joints
 Penthouses
Details
Specifications
 ASTM E779 – 10
 ASTM E1827 – 11
 Maximum allowable airflow rate
 Specified reference pressure
Good Testing ≠ Tight Building
 Design Phase
 Owner’s Project Requirements
 Continuity
 Simplicity
 Construction Phase
 Coordination
 Quality control
© 2015 CLEAResult. All rights reserved. 21
Why is a Test Valuable
 Verifiable
 Down size mechanical system
 Code compliance – Performance metrics
 Accuracy energy model
Two Types of Tests
 Air Barrier Systems Enclosure Test
 Operational Enclosure Test
Test Preparation
 Identify test boundary
 Calculate metric
 Determine fan locations
 Assess equipment needs
 Assign responsibilities
 Planning meeting
 Subcontractor support
Site Preparation
 Turn off HVAC systems
 Seal intentional holes
 Close exterior doors/windows
 Create a single zone
 Fill plumbing traps
 Check atmospheric combustion appliances
 Mechanical System Leakage

Slide Courtesy of Wiss Janney Elstner Associates

Exterior Pressure Taps

ʘ
ʘ

ʘ
AVE
.

100
Multipoint Regression Test
Repeat Single Point Test
Data Analysis and Calculations
Testing Conditions
Evolution of Limiting Weather
 E779 – abs(Tin/Tout)*Height < 1180 ft F
 USACE – Baseline pressure = 30% lowest PD
 25 Pa delta
 85 Pa max
 ABAA – Max
1. absolute value + 10 * standard deviation of the
baseline – or between
2. Stack pressure / 2
3. 10 Pa
 Multifamily - Compartmentalization

48
Air Sealing
Around Unit

© 2015 CLEAResult. All rights reserved. 49

 Compartment.
Organization
Metric [cfm50/ft2]
LEED V. 4 0.23
EPA High-rise 0.30
LEED Homes Multifamily EQ12.1 0.30
LEED Homes Multifamily EQ12.2 0.225
MA Utility Incentive Tier 1 0.30
MA Utility Incentive Tier 2 0.225
MA Utility Incentive Tier 3 0.135
RESNET MF duct exemption 0.30
INTERMEDIATE
TESTING
Buffering Adjacent Spaces
Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
 Roles and responsibilities
 Systems to seal
 Testing equipment setup
 WIFI can be tough
 Mechanical system controls
 Cleaning materials
 Pressurize first
 Costs
 New construction
 40,000 sq. ft.
 Simple geometry
 0.25 cfm75/sq. ft.
Task Time (hr) Staff Total Time
Preparation 12 1 12
Setup/breakdown 5 2 10
Measure Results 1 2 2
Find the leaks 2 2 4
Data analysis/report 8 1 8
Total 36
Resources
 Air Barrier Association of America
Standard Method for Building Enclosure
Airtightness Compliance Testing
 The Energy Conservatory
BD Applications Guide: Beyond Single Family
 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Air Leakage
Test Protocol for Building Envelopes – V.3
 Thank you
for your time

This concludes The American Institute of

Architects Continuing Education Systems program

Matt Root
Matt.Root@clearesult.com
508-365-3494