ASTM E741-11

Standard Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Effects of Air Change—Air change often accounts for a significant portion of the heating or air-conditioning load of a building. It also affects the moisture and contaminant balances in the building. Moisture-laden air passing through the building envelope can permit condensation and cause material degradation. An appropriate level of ventilation is required in all buildings; one should consult ASHRAE Standard 62 to determine the ventilation requirements of a building.
Prediction of Air Change—Air change depends on the size and distribution of air leakage sites, pressure differences induced by wind and temperature, mechanical system operation, and occupant behavior. Air change may be calculated from this information, however, many of the needed parameters are difficult to determine. Tracer gas testing permits direct measurement of air change.
Utility of Measurement—Measurements of air change provide useful information about ventilation and air leakage. Measurements in buildings with the ventilation system closed are used to determine whether natural air leakage rates are higher than specified. Measurements with the ventilation system in operation are used to determine whether the air change meets or exceeds requirements.
Known Conditions—Knowledge of the factors that affect air change makes measurement more meaningful. Relating building response to wind and temperature requires repetition of the test under varying meteorological conditions. Relating building response to the ventilation system or to occupant behavior requires controlled variation of these factors.
Applicability of Results—The values for air change obtained by the techniques used in this test method apply to the specific conditions prevailing at the time of the measurement. Air change values for the same building will differ if the prevailing wind and temperature conditions have changed, if the operation of the building is different, or if the envelope changes between measurements because of c...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers techniques using tracer gas dilution for determining a single zone's air change with the outdoors, as induced by weather conditions and by mechanical ventilation. These techniques are: (1) concentration decay, (2) constant injection, and (3) constant concentration.  
1.2 This test method is restricted to any single tracer gas. The associated data analysis assumes that one can characterize the tracer gas concentration within the zone with a single value. The zone shall be a building, vehicle, test cell, or any conforming enclosure.
1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units, especially those of time.  
1.4 Determination of the contribution to air change by individual components of the zone enclosure is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.5 The results from this test method pertain only to those conditions of weather and zonal operation that prevailed during the measurement. The use of the results from this test to predict air change under other conditions is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of this test method.
1.7 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2011
• ICS: 13.040.01 - Air quality in general
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E741-00(2006)e1 - Standard Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1827-22 - Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6670-18 - Standard Practice for Full-Scale Chamber Determination of Volatile Organic Emissions from Indoor Materials/Products
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6669-19 - Standard Practice for Selecting and Constructing Exposure Scenarios for Assessment of Exposures to Alkyd and Latex Interior Paints
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1333-22 - Standard Test Method for Determining Formaldehyde Concentrations in Air and Emission Rates from Wood Products Using a Large Chamber
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D8445-22a - Standard Practice for Measuring Chemical Emissions from Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation Samples in a Large-scale Ventilated Enclosure
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7911-19 - Standard Guide for Using Reference Material to Characterize Measurement Bias Associated with Volatile Organic Compound Emission Chamber Test
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6245-18 - Standard Guide for Using Indoor Carbon Dioxide Concentrations to Evaluate Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7297-21 - Standard Practice for Evaluating Residential Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7663-12(2018)e1 - Standard Practice for Active Soil Gas Sampling in the Vadose Zone for Vapor Intrusion Evaluations
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E779-19 - Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E1186-22 - Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E741 − 11
Standard Test Method for
Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a
1
Tracer Gas Dilution
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E741; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 This test method covers techniques using tracer gas
D4480Test Method for Measuring Surface Wind by Means
dilution for determining a single zone’s air change with the
of Wind Vanes and Rotating Anemometers (Withdrawn
outdoors, as induced by weather conditions and by mechanical
3
1999)
ventilation. These techniques are: (1) concentration decay, (2)
E260Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
constant injection, and (3) constant concentration.
E631Terminology of Building Constructions
1.2 This test method is restricted to any single tracer gas.
E779TestMethodforDeterminingAirLeakageRatebyFan
The associated data analysis assumes that one can characterize
Pressurization
thetracergasconcentrationwithinthezonewithasinglevalue.
E1186Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building
The zone shall be a building, vehicle, test cell, or any
Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems
4
conforming enclosure.
2.2 ASHRAE Documents:
ASHRAEHandbookofFundamentalsChapter 23
1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the
ASHRAEStandard62
principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of
the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units,
3. Terminology
especially those of time.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 Determination of the contribution to air change by
3.1.1 For definitions of general terms related to building
individual components of the zone enclosure is beyond the
construction used in this test method, refer to Terminology
scope of this test method.
E631.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 The results from this test method pertain only to those
3.2.1 air change flow, Q, n—the total volume of air passing
conditionsofweatherandzonaloperationthatprevailedduring
3
through the zone to and from the outdoors per unit time (m /s,
themeasurement.Theuseoftheresultsfromthistesttopredict
3 3
m /h, ft /h).
air change under other conditions is beyond the scope of this
3.2.2 air change rate, A, n—the ratio of the total volume of
test method.
air passing through the zone to and from the outdoors per unit
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and 5
of time to the volume of the zone (1/s, 1/h).
footnoteswhichprovideexplanatorymaterial.Thesenotesand
3.2.3 envelope, n—the system of barriers between a condi-
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be
tioned building zone and the outdoors.
considered requirements of this test method.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—This includes exterior doors, windows,
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
roofs, walls, floors and ductwork. It excludes interior
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
partitions, ducts, and so forth, that separate conditioned zones.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on www.astm.org.
4
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 Available from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance. Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally 30329, http://www.ashrae.org.
ε1
5
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E741–00(2006) . A common way of expressing air change rate units is ACH=air changes per
DOI: 10.1520/E0741-11. hour=1 ⁄h.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E741 − 11
3.2.4 tracer gas, n—a gas that is mixed with air and
rep = pertaining to replicates.
measured in very small concentrations in order to study air
sample = pertaining to a discrete tracer gas or air sample.
movement.
target = pertaining to the desired level of tracer ga
...

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:E 741–00 Designation: E741 – 11
Standard Test Method for
Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a
1
Tracer Gas Dilution
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E741; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describescovers techniques using tracer gas dilution for determining a single zone’s air change with the
outdoors, as induced by weather conditions and by mechanical ventilation. These techniques are: ( 1) concentration decay, (2)
constant injection, and (3) constant concentration.
1.2 This test method is restricted to any single tracer gas. The associated data analysis assumes that one can characterize the
tracer gas concentration within the zone with a single value. The zone shall be a building, vehicle, test cell, or any conforming
enclosure.
1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the
formulas presented here requires consistent use of units, especially those of time.
1.4 Determination of the contribution to air change by individual components of the zone enclosure is beyond the scope of this
test method.
1.5 The results from this test method pertain only to those conditions of weather and zonal operation that prevailed during the
measurement. The use of the results from this test to predict air change under other conditions is beyond the scope of this test
method.
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of this test method.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3
D4480 Test Method for Measuring Surface Wind by Means of Wind Vanes and Rotating Anemometers
E260 Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
4
E1186 Practice for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building
Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems
2.2 Other Documents:
ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, Chapter 23
5 4
ASHRAE Standard62 ASHRAE Documents:
ASHRAEHandbookofFundamentals Chapter 23
ASHRAEStandard62
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE06onPerformanceofBuildingsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE06.41onAirLeakage
and Ventilation.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2000. Published January 2001. Originally published as E 741–80. Last previous edition E 741–95.on Air Leakage and Ventilation
Performance.
ϵ1
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E741–00(2006) . DOI:
10.1520/E0741-11.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail]ards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
4
Available from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329,
http://www.ashrae.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E741 – 11
3. Terminology
3.1
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of general terms related to building construction used in this test method, refer to Terminology E631.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1
3 3
3.2.1 airchangeflow,Q,n—thetotalvolumeofairpassingthroughthezonetoandfromtheoutdoorsperunittime(m /s,m /h,
3
ft /h).
3.1.2
3.2.2 air change rate, A, n—the ratio of the total volume of a
...