Infiltrometry test
Infiltrometry is a technique used to determine the airtightness of an assembly or building.
It involves creating a standardized vacuum and/or pressure, using one or more fans, between the test zone and a reference zone. The flow rate required to maintain this pressure makes it possible to quantify the level of tightness for a variety of reasons, from calculating the associated energy loss to establishing compliance with a particular regulation or program. It’s also a highly effective technique for identifying the source of various air infiltrations, with a view to establishing targeted corrective measures.
Infiltrometry is used in various contexts where airtightness is an issue:
- Energy efficiency;
- Fire control system;
- Firestop assembly;
- Class T technical rooms;
- Others.
Energy efficiency
Air infiltration can significantly increase a building’s energy costs. What’s more, they directly affect our comfort. Infiltrometry allows us to quantify and identify sources of air infiltration, with a view to correcting them. Some government programs, such as Renoclimat and Novoclimat, even reward homeowners who improve the airtightness of their homes. The latter applies in particular to new buildings.
Air infiltration is not just a problem for older buildings; it also depends on the quality of the various materials that make up your building envelope. In this case, blower door testing also acts as a quality control service for the building envelope, bringing superior quality to your construction, backed up by a detailed report. Building a highly airtight envelope is not without its challenges, since it’s very difficult to pinpoint weak points or defects during construction. Infiltrometry will enable you to identify and correct them directly during construction. It also enables us to improve our work techniques for future constructions.
This method is equally applicable to large buildings, whether to quantify the energy improvement of the building envelope following renovation work, or to validate an expected level of performance. Infiltrometry can be used on a larger scale, and a variety of methods can be employed to achieve this. Whether you’re looking to increase ventilation power or develop customized strategies, let us know your needs and objectives, and we’ll find the solution to meet them.
Fire control system
In some cases, the tightness of a room or area is important for fire control. This is the case, for example, when a fire control system uses extinguishing gases. Indeed, some systems are designed to release a gas into a room that will extinguish the detected fire in a short time. However, the tightness of this room is very important, as the gas must be contained to a minimum within a predetermined time. Infiltrometry is then used to seal any leaks and validate the gas retention time in the room in question.
Firestop assembly
To control and slow the spread of fire, it’s essential to compartmentalize, using a variety of devices and materials. These include earthquake-resistant joints. Frequently, project specifications call for the installation of a sample of each of these types of assembly. In this case, a temporary chamber is installed at strategic points and infiltrometry is used to induce a standardized pressure. At the same time, smoke is injected into the area. The aim is to demonstrate that this smoke cannot pass through the assembly or device in question.
Class T technical rooms
Technical rooms are, for example, rooms containing the entire refrigeration mechanics of an arena. Refrigerants are part of these systems, and can be particularly dangerous in the event of a leak. That’s why the standard governing mechanical refrigeration requires this type of room to be airtight. Infiltrometry uses smoke to identify weak areas and validate their airtightness.
Other
Infiltrometry can also be used for a variety of other purposes. For example, it is possible to determine the exact location of infiltration of food or cigarette odors from a neighbor, or to determine a leak between a garage and a dwelling following complaints of exhaust gas odors. The possibilities are endless.
Infiltrometry can be used in a number of ways, and can prove highly effective and relevant. It is also possible to obtain LEED points in certain contexts thanks to blower door testing. If you need to determine the airtightness of a room, envelope or other component, we can help.
Here are the main reference standards for the various situations listed above:
- CAN/CGSB 149.10-2019 – Determination of Airtightness of Building Envelopes by the Fan Depressurization Method;
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Standard for Air Leakage;
- ASTM E779 – Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization;
- ASTM E3158 – Standard Test Method for Measuring the Air Leakage Rate of a Large Multizone Building;
- ASTM E1186 – Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems;
- NFPA 2001 – Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems;
- CAN/CSA B52 – Mechanical Refrigeration Code.