Testing, reporting and quality schemes for building airtightness

Duration:

2011-2013

Status:

Completed

With the trend towards low-energy buildings, the importance of and interest in building airtightness is increasing. This implies a growing number of tests, calling for increased attention to the quality of those tests including the way test results are used to demonstrate compliance with programme or regulatory requirements. In turn, those tests put pressure on builders and craftsmen to reliably achieve good airtightness levels. The project reviewed existing approaches and analysed their advantages and disadvantages.

Following the completion of this project, a number of related projects were undertaken. These are outlined/listed below:

Collaboration with the TightVent platform
Competent tester schemes for building and ductwork airtightness - TAAC (2012–today)
Building and ductwork airtightness regulations in various countries (2022–today)

Publications

Technical Reports:

TN 66: Building air leakage databases in energy conservation policies: analysis of selected initiatives in 4 European countries and the USA
TN 67: Building airtightness: a critical review of testing, reporting and quality schemes in 10 countries

Events

Conferences:

33^rd AIVC Conference, October 2012, Copenhagen:
- Topical Session: "Quality and building airtightness"

Workshops:

Achieving relevant and durable airtightness levels: status, options and progress needed. March 2012, Brussels