Retrotec USACE - Manual (Page 303)

Appendix F F9
page titled Air Leakage Test Results, upon which the testing agency must make
a pass or fail declaration.
Of note to anyone specifying the air leakage test, or under the requirement
of an air leakage test, is that:
The test is conducted with ventilation fans and exhaust fans turned off 1.
and the outdoor air inlets and exhaust outlets sealed (by dampers or
masking). In some cases, recirculating air handlers may also need to be
turned off. The contractor must provide a responsible HVAC techni-
cian with the authority to place the HVAC system in the correct mode
for the pressure test. The testing agency must have unhindered access
to mechanical rooms, air handlers, exhaust fans, and outdoor air and
exhaust dampers.
Portable pressurization doors manufactured for the purpose of pressure
2.
testing buildings often require signifi cant electrical power (e.g., 20 amps)
and may trip circuit breakers. Testing agencies must have someone on
site with access to and the authority to reset circuit breakers or must
have access and authority granted to them.
Airfl ow and enclosure pressure differences are drastically affected when
3.
exterior doors or windows are opened. At the time of the test, if sub-
contractors are still working in the building, the contractor must ensure
that all windows in the bounding enclosure are kept closed. Entry and
exit through doors in the test enclosure must be limited. Data collected
while the pressures and fl ows are affected by a door opening and closing
must be discarded.
Portable fan pressurization doors are placed in doors or windows in the
4.
bounding enclosure. The testing agency must have access to these loca-
tions, be able to open them, and to remove closure hardware that inter-
feres with equipment set-up.
The contractor shall ensure that no sub-contractors are working in the
5.
area of the fan pressurization test equipment. During pressurization
tests, air will be blown into the building at high enough velocity that it
will cause debris, dust, and litter to become air borne. When exhaust-
ing nearby debris and litter may be drawn to the fan guards or become
entangled in fan blades where it can block airfl ow and result in errone-
ous measurements.
The fan pressurization test to determine fi nal compliance with the air-
6.
tightness requirement shall be conducted when all components of the air
barrier system have been installed and inspected, and have passed any
intermediate testing procedures as detailed in the construction drawings
and specifi cations. The test may be conducted before fi nishes that are
not part of the air barrier system have been installed. For example, if
suspended ceiling tile, interior gypsum board, or cladding systems are
not part of the air barrier system, the test can be conducted before they
are installed.