Standard Test Methods for Determining External Air Leakage of Air Distribution Systems by Fan Pressurization

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover two techniques for measuring the air leakage of the sections of air distribution systems that pass outside the conditioned space in low-rise residential and small low-rise commercial buildings. Both techniques use air flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage characteristics, and include separate measurements of the supply-side and the return-side distribution system leakage.
1.2 These test methods also specify the auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magnitude of the distribution system air leakage during normal operation (a measurement of pressure differentials across duct leaks during normal distribution-system operation), and to normalize the distribution system's air leakage by the total recirculating air flow induced by the air handler fan.
1.3 The proper use of these test methods requires a knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
1.4 These test methods are intended to produce a measure of the air leakage between an air distribution system and its surroundings exterior to the conditioned space of a building.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.

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30-Nov-2003
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ASTM E1554-03 - Standard Test Methods for Determining External Air Leakage of Air Distribution Systems by Fan Pressurization
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Designation:E1554–03
Standard Test Methods for
Determining External Air Leakage of Air Distribution
1
Systems by Fan Pressurization
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1554; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution
E 779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by
1.1 These test methods cover two techniques for measuring
Fan Pressurization
the air leakage of the sections of air distribution systems that
E 1258 Test Method forAirflow Calibration of Fan Pressur-
pass outside the conditioned space in low-rise residential and
ization Devices
small low-rise commercial buildings. Both techniques use air
2.2 ASME Standard:
flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage
MFC-3M Measurement of Fluid Flow in Pipes Using Ori-
characteristics, and include separate measurements of the
3
fice Nozzle and Venturi
supply-side and the return-side distribution system leakage.
1.2 These test methods also specify the auxiliary measure-
3. Terminology
ments needed to characterize the magnitude of the distribution
3.1 Definitions—Refer toTerminology E 631 for definitions
system air leakage during normal operation (a measurement of
of other terms used in these test methods.
pressure differentials across duct leaks during normal
3.1.1 air handler fan—the air moving fan for the distribu-
distribution-system operation), and to normalize the distribu-
tion system located in the air-handling unit.
tion system’s air leakage by the total recirculating air flow
3.1.2 air-handling unit—the distribution-system fan and
induced by the air handler fan.
portion of the distribution system that is integral to the furnace,
1.3 The proper use of these test methods requires a knowl-
air-conditioner, or heat-pump.
edge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
3.1.3 building envelope—the boundary or barrier separating
1.4 Thesetestmethodsareintendedtoproduceameasureof
theinteriorvolumeofabuildingfromtheoutsideenvironment.
the air leakage between an air distribution system and its
3.1.4 conditioned space—the portion of a building whose
surroundings exterior to the conditioned space of a building.
air temperature or humidity is intentionally controlled for
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
human occupancy.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
4. Summary of Test Methods
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Two alternative measurement and analysis procedures
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
are specified. The first of these techniques, Test Method A, is
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
based upon changes in flow through distribution system leaks
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
at fixed envelope pressure differences due to air handler
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
operation. The envelope pressure differences are generated by
statements, see Section 7.
a separate air moving fan, both pressurization and depressur-
ization measurements are performed. The second technique,
2. Referenced Documents
2 Test Method B, is based upon pressurizing the distribution
2.1 ASTM Standards:
system at the same time as the house in order to isolate the
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
leaks that are outside the building envelope. Measured system
E 741 Test Method for DeterminingAir Change in a Single
operating pressures are then used to estimate leakage under
operating conditions.Test Method B is shown schematically in
Fig. 1.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
4.2 These test methods also include specifications for the
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41
on Air Leakage and Ventilation. auxiliary measurements to interpret the air leakage measure-
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published January 2004. Originally
ments. These include measurement of the pressures that drive
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 1994 as E 1554 – 94.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
the ASTM website. International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990.
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