ASTM E1827-22

Standard Test Methods for Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice Blower Door

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Airtightness—Building airtightness is one factor that affects building air change rates under normal conditions of weather and building operation. These air change rates account for a significant portion of the space-conditioning load and affect occupant comfort, indoor air quality, and building durability. These test methods produce results that characterize the airtightness of the building envelope. These results can be used to compare the relative airtightness of similar buildings, determine airtightness improvements from retrofit measures applied to an existing building, and predict air leakage. Use of this standard in conjunction with Practices E1186 permits the identification of leakage sources and rates of leakage from different components of the same building envelope. These test methods evolved from Test Method E779 to apply to orifice blower doors.  
5.1.1 Applicability to Natural Conditions—Pressures across building envelopes under normal conditions of weather and building operation vary substantially among various locations on the envelope and are generally much lower than the pressures during the test. Therefore, airtightness measurements using these test methods cannot be interpreted as direct measurements of natural infiltration or air change rates that would occur under natural conditions. However, airtightness measurements can be used to provide air leakage parameters for models of natural infiltration. Such models can estimate average annual ventilation rates and the associated energy costs. Test Method E741 measure natural air exchange rates using tracer gas dilution techniques.  
5.1.2 Relation to Test Method E779—These test methods are specific adaptations of Test Method E779 to orifice blower doors. For nonorifice blower doors or for buildings too large to use blower doors, use Test Method E779.  
5.1.3 Relation to Test Method E3158—These test methods are applicable for buildings that are configured as a single zone. For testing of multi...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods describe two techniques for measuring air leakage rates through a building envelope in buildings that may be configured to a single zone. Both techniques use an orifice blower door to induce pressure differences across the building envelope and to measure those pressure differences and the resulting airflows. The measurements of pressure differences and airflows are used to determine airtightness and other leakage characteristics of the envelope.  
1.2 These test methods allow testing under depressurization and pressurization.  
1.3 These test methods are applicable to small indoor-outdoor temperature differentials and low wind pressure conditions; the uncertainty in the measured results increases with increasing wind speeds and temperature differentials.  
1.4 These test methods do not measure air change rate under normal conditions of weather and building operation. To measure air change rate directly, use Test Method E741.  
1.5 The text of these test methods reference notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.  
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Re...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2022
• ICS: 91.010.30 - Technical aspects
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E1827 −22
Standard Test Methods for
Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice
1
Blower Door
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1827; 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 Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 These test methods describe two techniques for measur-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ing air leakage rates through a building envelope in buildings
thatmaybeconfiguredtoasinglezone.Bothtechniquesusean
2. Referenced Documents
orifice blower door to induce pressure differences across the
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
building envelope and to measure those pressure differences
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
and the resulting airflows. The measurements of pressure
E631Terminology of Building Constructions
differences and airflows are used to determine airtightness and
E741Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single
other leakage characteristics of the envelope.
Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution
1.2 These test methods allow testing under depressurization
E779TestMethodforDeterminingAirLeakageRatebyFan
and pressurization.
Pressurization
1.3 These test methods are applicable to small indoor-
E1186Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building
outdoor temperature differentials and low wind pressure con-
Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems
ditions; the uncertainty in the measured results increases with
E1258Test Method for Airflow Calibration of Fan Pressur-
increasing wind speeds and temperature differentials.
ization Devices
E3158Test Method for Measuring the Air Leakage Rate of
1.4 Thesetestmethodsdonotmeasureairchangerateunder
a Large or Multizone Building
normal conditions of weather and building operation. To
3
measure air change rate directly, use Test Method E741.
2.2 ISO International Standard:
ISO 9972Thermal Insulation—Determination of Building
1.5 The text of these test methods reference notes and
Airtightness—Fan Pressurization Method
footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and
3
footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be 2.3 Other Standard:
considered as requirements of the standard. ANSI/ASME PTC 19.1–1985 Part 1: Measurement
Uncertainty, Instruments, and Apparatus
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
3. Terminology
providedforinformationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.
3.1 Definitions:
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 For definitions of general terms related to building
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
construction used in this test methods, refer to Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E631andforgeneraltermsrelatedtoaccuracy,bias,precision,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and uncertainty refer to Terminology E456.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
For specific hazard statements see Section 7.
3.2.1 ACH ,n—the ratio of the air leakage rate at 50 Pa
50
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
(0.2 in. H O), corrected for a standard air density, to the
2
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
volume of the test zone (1/h).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1 2
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E1827–11 (2017). Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
DOI: 10.1520/E1827-22. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1827−22
3
3.2.2 air leakage rat
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: E1827 − 11 (Reapproved 2017) E1827 − 22
Standard Test Methods for
Determining Airtightness of Buildings Using an Orifice
1
Blower Door
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1827; 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
1.1 These test methods describe two techniques for measuring air leakage rates through a building envelope in buildings that may
be configured to a single zone. Both techniques use an orifice blower door to induce pressure differences across the building
envelope and to measure those pressure differences and the resulting airflows. The measurements of pressure differences and
airflows are used to determine airtightness and other leakage characteristics of the envelope.
1.2 These test methods allow testing under depressurization and pressurization.
1.3 These test methods are applicable to small indoor-outdoor temperature differentials and low wind pressure conditions; the
uncertainty in the measured results increases with increasing wind speeds and temperature differentials.
1.4 These test methods do not measure air change rate under normal conditions of weather and building operation. To measure
air change rate directly, use Test Method E741.
1.5 The text of these test methods reference notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes,
excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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 Sept. 1, 2017Oct. 1, 2022. Published September 2017October 2022. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20112017
as E1827 – 11.E1827 – 11 (2017). DOI: 10.1520/E1827-11R17.10.1520/E1827-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1827 − 22
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E741 Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution
E779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization
E1186 Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems
E1258 Test Method for Airflow Calibration of Fan Pressurization Devices
E3158 Test Method for Measuring the Air Leakage Rate of a Large or Multizone Building
3
2.2 ISO International Standard:
ISO 9972 Thermal Insulation—Determination of Building Airtightness—Fan Pressurization Method
3
2.3 Other Standard:
ANSI/ASME PTC 19.1–1985 Part 1: Measurement Uncertainty, Instruments, and Apparatus
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of general terms related to building construction used in this test methods, refer to Terminology E631 and
for general terms related to accuracy, bias, precision, and uncertainty refer to Terminology E456.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 ACH , n—the ratio of the air le
...