Retrotec Residential Pressure & Air Leakage - Manual (Page 15)

Page 15 of 75
2. Ensure that there is enough space to work, including assembling the door frame and storing tools
and cases, around the door area. Equipment and pressure tubing will need to be kept out of the
path of the fan airflow.
3. Watch out for small objects, valuable and loose papers. It may be easier to pick a different door to
install the Blower Door in, than to secure the occupant’s personal possessions that will be disturbed
by the flow of air.
Figure 7: Properly select doorways in which to install the Blower Door system.
2.3.2. Windows and Doors
2.3.2.1. Windows
Close all windows and skylights, including the outer storm windows. Be especially aware of old hinged windows,
which are sometimes poorly latched and may swing open when the pressure changes during the test. If a room
or area is meant to be unconditioned, a window must be left open to allow the area to be at the outside air
pressure.
2.3.2.2. Exterior Doors
Close all doors leading outside the conditioned space. This includes all exterior doors, and usually includes the
door into the garage (as most garages are not conditioned). It sometimes also includes the door to the
basement, if the basement is considered unconditioned.
2.3.2.3. Interior Doors
In general, open all interior doors.
Doors leading to rooms which are intentionally cooled or heated should always be open. Typically this will
include doors to all rooms which have air supplies, registers, or are insulated from the outside. Closet doors
must be open if there is a supply register, attic hatch or other obvious possible leak within. Although, in
practice, doors to small linen closets aren’t always opened, in theory all rooms inside the conditioned space
should be open. Not opening these spaces could make a difference if there were large holes/leaks inside the
closet.
Doors to conditioned attached garages (these are rare) must be opened.
2.3.2.4. Doors to Basements