Field Determination of Water Penetration of Windows using Blowerdoor and Infrared Camera

The manufactures tests of windows in Europe are executed in accordance with the CE-directive. Air- and water tightness testing are performed in accordance with EN 1026 and classified in accordance with EN12207. Air- and water leakage measurements are performed under laboratory conditions using a test chamber and...

Experiences in air permeability: round-robin tests in Germany by FLiB e. V.

The Association for Air Tightness in Buildings (FLiB e.V.) offers air tightness testing teams the possibility to check their testing performance as well as that of their equipment. Round-robin tests allow the participants to conduct independent air-tightness tests in a building organized by the association. The test, in accordance with...

Pressure distribution and reflow paths with BlowerDoor measurements of large buildings

During the BlowerDoor building test, it must be ensured that all building parts of the test building or the test section have air connection, and that the test object can be considered one single zone. This also applies to large buildings like office buildings, schools, indoor pools, etc. with several floors and winding floor plans. Overly tight airflow...

A round-robin test of Czech airtightness test providers

The round-robin test of Czech airtightness providers was organised in order to obtain information about the measurement equipment generally used and in order to compare the test results given by different technicians operating with different devices. All the participants measured the same building under very similar conditions. The preparation...

Airtightness networks

The contribution informs about the foundation of a professional network of Czech airtightness test providers and gives basic information about the organisation and activities of this association.An idea of closer cooperation between Czech building airtightness test providers has existed for several years. (one outcome of such activities...

BlowerDoor Test in the First Passive House in China

The actual question is as follows: “Is the building envelope of the first passive house in China sufficiently airtight?” To determine air-tightness in China, a pressure differential test was to be conducted. First, a number of questions had to be answered. What building system is used and which materials are implemented? Who will...

Introduction to the new German Industrial Standard DIN 4108, Part 7 with an outlook to Part 11 (currently being amended)

The new Part 7 of the Thermal Insulation Standard DIN 4108 describes the permanent design of the airtight layer of heated or air-conditioned buildings. In the chapter on requirements, some terms have been redefined. However, the required values for the maximum air change rate are stipulated in the current EnEV...

Quality assurance for adhesive-based joint technology in the design of airtight layers

To describe the quality of adhesive joints and connections for airtight layers, our research includes comprehensive investigations into the effect of different working conditions and accelerated aging. Existing methods for testing adhesion are analysed and adjusted. The evaluation of adhesives’ suitability for permanently...

Air permeability requirements for air barrier materials in passive houses – Comparison of the air permeability of eight commercial brands of OSB

Today, labels introduced in some countries to certify standardised low energy buildings, such as ‘Passive House’ in Germany and ‘Minenergie’ in Switzerland, are becoming increasingly applied in Europe.  Both labels explicitly require a threshold level of airtightness (0.6 air changes per hour (ACH) at 50 Pa). For timber frame...

Optimal air tightness levels of buildings

The air tightness of building has been a serious problem over the last 30 years. In 1979 the international Air Infiltration Centre (AIC) was erected within the International Energy Agency (IEA) platform. Infiltration of cold air into buildings needs to be heated to reach to a comfortable indoor climate. But the energy penalty due to that should be...

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