ASTM E1554-07
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Determining Air Leakage of Air Distribution Systems by Fan Pressurization
Standard Test Methods for Determining Air Leakage of Air Distribution Systems by Fan Pressurization
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Air leakage between an air distribution system and unconditioned spaces affects the energy losses from the distribution system, the ventilation rate of the building, and the entry rate of air pollutants.
The determination of infiltration energy loads and ventilation rates of residences and small commercial buildings are typically based on the assumption that the principal driving forces for infiltration and ventilation are the wind and indoor/outdoor temperature differences. This can be an inappropriate assumption for buildings that have distribution systems that pass through unconditioned spaces, because the existence of relatively modest leakage from that system has a relatively large impact on overall ventilation rates. The air leakage characteristics of these exterior distribution systems are needed to determine their ventilation, energy, and pollutant-entry implications.
Air leakage through the exterior air distribution envelope may be treated in the same manner as air leakage in the building envelope as long as the system is not operating (see Test Method E 779). However, when the system blower is on, the pressures across the air distribution system leaks are usually significantly larger than those driving natural infiltration. Depending on the size of the leaks, these pressures can induce much larger flows than natural infiltration. Thus, it is important to be able to isolate these leaks from building envelope leaks. The leakage of air distribution systems must be measured in the field, because it has been shown that workmanship and installation details are more important than design in determining the leakage of these systems.
For codes, standards, and other compliance or quality control applications, the precision and repeatability at meeting a specified target (for example, air flow at reference pressure) is more important than air leakage flows at operating conditions. Some existing codes, standards, and voluntary programs require the use of a simpl...
SCOPE
1.1 The test methods included in this standard are applicable to the air distribution systems in low-rise residential and commercial buildings.
1.2 These test methods cover four techniques for measuring the air leakage of air distribution systems. The techniques use air flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage characteristics.
1.3 The test methods for two of the techniques also specify the auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magnitude of the distribution system air leakage during normal operation.
1.4 A test method for the total recirculating air flow induced by the system blower is included so that the air distribution system leakage can be normalized as is often required for energy calculations.
1.5 The proper use of these test methods requires knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
1.6 Three of these test methods are intended to produce a measure of the air leakage from the air distribution system to outside. The other test method measures total air leakage including air leaks to inside conditioned space.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.8 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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Designation: E1554 − 07
StandardTest Methods for
Determining Air Leakage of Air Distribution Systems by Fan
1
Pressurization
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1554; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 Thetestmethodsincludedinthisstandardareapplicable
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
to the air distribution systems in low-rise residential and
E779 TestMethodforDeterminingAirLeakageRatebyFan
commercial buildings.
Pressurization
1.2 These test methods cover four techniques for measuring
E1258 Test Method for Airflow Calibration of Fan Pressur-
the air leakage of air distribution systems. The techniques use
ization Devices
3
air flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage
2.2 ASME Standard:
characteristics.
MFC-3M MeasurementofFluidFlowinPipesUsingOrifice
Nozzle and Venturi
1.3 The test methods for two of the techniques also specify
the auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magni-
3. Terminology
tude of the distribution system air leakage during normal
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology E631 for definitions
operation.
of other terms used in these test methods.
1.4 Atest method for the total recirculating air flow induced
3.1.1 building envelope—the boundary or barrier separating
by the system blower is included so that the air distribution
theinteriorvolumeofabuildingfromtheoutsideenvironment.
system leakage can be normalized as is often required for
Even when a garage is conditioned, for this standard it is
energy calculations.
considered to be outside the building envelope.
3.1.2 blower—the air moving device for a forced air space
1.5 The proper use of these test methods requires knowl-
conditioning and/or ventilation system.
edge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
1.6 Three of these test methods are intended to produce a 4. Summary of Test Methods
measure of the air leakage from the air distribution system to
4.1 Four alternative measurement and analysis methods are
outside. The other test method measures total air leakage
specified and labeledAthrough D, Test MethodsAand B give
including air leaks to inside conditioned space.
separate values for supply and return leakage to outside. Test
Methods C and D do not separate supply and return leakage.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Test Methods A, B, and C determine leakage to outside, but
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Test Method D measures total leakage, including leakage to
only.
inside. Test Method A is based upon changes in flow through
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
distribution system leaks to outside due to blower operation
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
over a range of envelope pressure differences. The envelope
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pressure differences are generated by a separate air moving fan
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
andbothpressurizationanddepressurizationmeasurementsare
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
performed. Test Methods B and C are based upon pressurizing
statements, see Section 7.
thedistributionsystematthesametimeasthebuildinginorder
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E1554 – 03. DOI: International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
10.1520/E1554-07. www.asme.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E1554 − 07
to isolate the leaks that are outside the building envelope. For 5. Significance and Use
Test Method B, measured system operating pressures are then
5.1 Air leakage between an air distribution system and
used to estimate leakage under operating conditions. Test
unconditioned spaces affects the energy
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E1554–03 Designation:E1554–07
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
1.1These 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.
1.2These 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.
1.3The proper use of these test methods requires a knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
1.4These 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.
1.5The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6
1.1 The test methods included in this standard are applicable to the air distribution systems in low-rise residential and
commercial buildings.
1.2 These test methods cover four techniques for measuring the air leakage of air distribution systems. The techniques use air
flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage characteristics.
1.3 The test methods for two of the techniques also specify the auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magnitude
of the distribution system air leakage during normal operation.
1.4 Atest method for the total recirculating air flow induced by the system blower is included so that the air distribution system
leakage can be normalized as is often required for energy calculations.
1.5 The proper use of these test methods requires knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.
1.6 Three of these test methods are intended to produce a measure of the air leakage from the air distribution system to outside.
The other test method measures total air leakage including air leaks to inside conditioned space.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions E741Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a
Tracer Gas Dilution
E 779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
E 1258 Test Method for Airflow Calibration of Fan Pressurization Devices
3
2.2 ASME Standard:
MFC-3M Measurement of Fluid Flow in Pipes Using Orifice Nozzle and Venturi
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air
Leakage and Ventilation Performance.
Current edition approved Dec.Nov. 1, 2003.2007. Published January 2004.December 2007. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 19942003 as
E1554–94.E 1554 – 03.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME International Headquarters, Three Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
www.asme.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO
...
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