Retrotec Blower Door - Manual (Page 8)

Page 8 of 87
©Retrotec Inc. 2015
Important occupant safeguards during testing
Please read the following carefully before carrying out tests:
The fan can move a significant amount of air, causing papers or other light flat objects such as
pictures to be thrown around. Ensure that loose items are secured.
If dust, pollen, mold spores, chemicals, asbestos, vermiculite dust, fiberglass dust, cellulose dust,
lead paint dust or other undesirable substances can get blown into living spaces, keep those
susceptible to these substances away from the test area, and wear dust masks or do not test.
Do not pressurize an enclosure with air that is polluted or exposed to any toxic substances. For
example, blowing air from a garage into a house while a motor vehicle is running can quickly fill a
house with toxic carbon monoxide.
Cover exposed ashes or test at or below 25 Pa to avoid blowing ashes from open fire pits.
Do not pressurize a duct system with air that is polluted or exposed to any toxic substances. For
example, blowing air from a car-port into a house or duct system while a motor vehicle is running
can quickly fill a house with toxic carbon monoxide.
Air sealing duct work may change the pressure balance in a house and cause back drafting where it
did not occur before. For example, a return leaking to outdoors may have pressurized a house but
when corrected, leaky supplies may reverse that and cause depressurization which could result in
back drafting hot water heaters, furnaces or fireplaces.
Be aware of all possible sources of combustion. Ensure any appliances do not turn on during the
test. Turn off power to the appliance, or set the appliance to the "Pilot" setting. It is possible for
flames to be sucked out of a combustion air inlet (flame rollout) during a test, which is a fire hazard
and can result in high carbon monoxide levels.
If there are attached spaces (e.g. townhouses) that could contain a vented combustion appliance,
either adjust those appliances to prevent them from turning on during the test, or be sure that the
attached spaces are not depressurized or pressurized when the Door Fan is operating.
If combustion safety problems are found, tenants and building owners should be notified
immediately and steps taken to correct the problem (including notifying a professional heating
contractor if basic remedial actions are not available). Remember, the presence of elevated levels
of carbon monoxide in ambient building air or in combustion products is a potentially life
threatening situation. Air sealing work should not be undertaken until existing combustion safety
problems are resolved, or unless air sealing is itself being used as a remedial action.
Failure to follow these instructions carefully may result in bodily injury, damage to property and
equipment failure.