ASTM E1186-98
(Practice)Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Retarder Systems
Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Retarder Systems
SCOPE
1.1 These practices describe standardized techniques for locating air leakage in building envelopes.
1.2 These practices offer a choice of methods to determine air leakage sites with each method offering certain advantages.
1.3 Some of the practices require a knowledge of infrared scanning, building pressurization or depressurization, smoke generation techniques, sound generation and detection, and tracer gas concentration measurement techniques.
1.4 The practices described are of a qualitative nature in determining the air leakage sites rather than determining quantitative leakage rates.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: E 1186 – 98
Standard Practices for
Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air
Retarder Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1186; 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 ISO Standard 6781 Thermal Insulation—Qualitative Detec-
tion of Thermal Irregularities in Building Envelopes—
1.1 These practices cover standardized techniques for locat-
Infrared Method
ing air leakage sites in building envelopes and air retarder
systems.
3. Terminology
1.2 These practices offer a choice of means for determining
3.1 Definitions:
the location of air leakage sites with each offering certain
3.1.1 air leakage rate, n—the volume of air movement per
advantages for specific applications.
unit time across the building envelope or air retarder system,
1.3 Some of the practices require a knowledge of infrared
including flow through joints, cracks, and porous surfaces, or
scanning, building and test chamber pressurization and depres-
combinations thereof, in which the driving force for such air
surization, smoke generation techniques, sound generation and
leakage in buildings is either mechanical pressurization or
detection, and tracer gas concentration measurement tech-
evacuation, natural wind pressures, or air temperature differ-
niques.
ences between the building interior and the outdoors, or
1.4 The practices described are of a qualitative nature in
combinations thereof.
determining the air leakage sites rather than determining
3.1.2 air leakage site, n—a location on the building enve-
quantitative leakage rates.
lope or air retarder system where air can move between the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
building interior and the outdoors.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3 air infiltration, n—air leakage into the building.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.4 air exfiltration, n—air leakage out of the building.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.5 building envelope, n—the boundary or barrier sepa-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
rating the interior volume of a building from the outside
statements, see Section 6.
environment.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.5.1 Discussion—For the purpose of these practices, the
interior volume is the deliberately conditioned space within a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
building generally not including the attic space, basement
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
space, and attached structures, unless such spaces are con-
E 741 Test Method for Measuring Air Leakage Rate by
nected to the heating and air conditioning system, such as a
Tracer Dilution
crawl space plenum. The actual building envelope may extend
E 779 Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by
beyond these boundaries because of ducting or other construc-
Fan Pressurization
tion features.
2.2 Other Standards:
3.1.6 air retarder system, n—a system in building construc-
ANSI-ASHRAE Standard 101 Application of Infrared
tion that is designed and installed to reduce air leakage either
Sensing Devices to the Assessment of Building Heat Loss
into or through the building envelope.
Characteristics
3.1.7 test specimen, n—the part of the air retarder system on
the building to be tested that may consist of the selected areas
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-6 on of materials comprising the principle resistance to airflow,
Performance of Buildings and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41
joints between such materials and joints between the materials
on Air Leakage and Ventilation.
and structural, mechanical or other penetrations through such
Current edition approved June 10, 1998. Published August 1998. Originally
e1
materials, and excludes any material which does not form an
published as E 1186 – 87. Last previous edition E 1187 – 87 (1992) .
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.11.
integral part of the air retarder system.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street,
3.2 For other definitions, see Terminology E 631.
New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1186–98
4. Summary of Practice will flow toward each air leakage site. In this case, the resulting
measured air velocity peak will be less distinct.
4.1 This standard presents the following seven practices for
4.2.4 Generated Sound in Conjunction With Sound
detecting air leakage sites in building envelopes:
Detection—This practice consists of locating a sound generator
4.1.1 Combined building depressurization (or pressuriza-
within the building and moving a sound detection device over
tion) and infrared scanning,
the exterior of the building envelope. Increased sound intensity
4.1.2 Building depressurization (or pressurization) and
is indicative of an air leakage site. Alternatively, the sound
smoke tracers,
generator can be located outside the building and the interior
4.1.3 Building depressurization (or pressurization) and air-
surface of the building envelope can be surveyed using the
flow measuring devices,
sound detection device.
4.1.4 Generated sound and sound detection,
4.2.5 Tracer Gas—This practice consists of releasing a
4.1.5 Tracer gas detection, tracer gas on one side of the building envelope and using a
tracer gas detector to measure the concentration of the tracer
4.1.6 Chamber depressurization (or pressurization) and
gas on the other side. A measurable tracer gas concentration
smoke tracers, and
indicates the location of an air leakage site. Pressurizing or
4.1.7 Chamber depressurization and leak detection liquids.
depressurizing the building envelope using a fan or the
4.2 These practices are described as follows:
building’s mechanical system improve the results obtained by
4.2.1 Building Depressurization (or Pressurization) with
this method.
Infrared Scanning Techniques—This practice relies on the
4.2.6 Chamber Pressurization or Depressurization in Con-
existence of an indoor–outdoor temperature difference of at
junction With Smoke Tracers—This practice consists of sealing
least 5 °C. In most geographic locations, this condition is met
an approximately airtight chamber to a section of the interior or
during some portion of the day over a large fraction of the year.
exterior of the air retarder system and using a fan to create a
Outdoor air is moved through the building envelope by
pressure differential across the air retarder specimen. If a
depressurizing the building interior with a fan (see Test Method
smoke tracer source is moved over the surface of the test
E 779) or using the mechanical system in the building. Because
specimen on the higher pressure side, air leakage will draw
the infiltrating air is at a different temperature than the interior
smoke toward an air leakage site, visually indicating the
surfaces of the building envelope, local interior surface tem-
location. Conversely, if a smoke tracer is moved over the
perature changes take place which can be detected by infrared
surface of the test specimen on the low pressure side, air jets at
scanning equipment. The infrared pattern resulting from air
air leakage sites will cause smoke to move away from the air
leakage is different from that associated with varied levels of
leakage site.
thermal conductance in the envelope, allowing air leakage sites
4.2.7 Chamber Depressurization in Conjunction With Leak
to be identified. This practice can also be performed by
Detection Liquid—The practice consists of applying a leak
pressurizing the building and scanning the exterior of the
detection liquid to the test specimen surface, sealing a trans-
building envelope.
parent chamber around the specimen and depressurizing the
4.2.2 Smoke Tracer in Conjunction With Building Pressur-
chamber with a fan. The location of an air leakage site is
ization or Depressurization—This practice consists of pressur-
indicated by bubbling of the detection liquid at the air leakage
izing or depressurizing the building using a fan or the mechani-
site.
cal system in the building and moving a smoke tracer source
4.2.8 Other Practices—Practices such as the use of a smoke
over the interior or the exterior surface of the building
bomb are not described here since they are very specialized and
envelope. If the building is pressurized and the smoke tracer
require extreme caution due to additional difficulties such as
source is moved over the interior of the building envelope, air
triggering smoke alarms and causing lingering odors.
exfiltration through air leakage sites will draw smoke from the
tracer source to the site, revealing its location visually. Alter-
5. Significance and Use
natively, if the building is depressurized and the smoke tracer
5.1 Air infiltration into the conditioned space of a building
source is moved over the interior of the building envelope
accounts for a significant portion of the thermal space condi-
surface, then air jets at each air leakage site will cause the
tion load. Air infiltration can affect occupant comfort by
smoke to move rapidly inward. Similarly, the smoke tracer
producing drafts, cause indoor air quality problems by carrying
source can be employed on the exterior of the building
outdoor pollutants into occupied building space and, in hot
envelope.
humid climates, can deposit moisture in the building envelope
4.2.3 Building Depressurization (or Pressurization) in Con-
resulting in deterioration of building envelope components. In
junction With Airflow Measurement Devices, or
cold climates, exfiltration of conditioned air out of a building
Anemometers—This practice consists of depressurizing or
can deposit moisture in the building envelope causing deterio-
pressurizing the building using a fan or the building’s mechani-
ration of building envelope components. Differential pressure
cal systems and moving an anemometer over the interior
across the building envelope and the presence of air leakage
building envelope surface. If the building is depressurized, air
sites cause air infiltration and exfiltration (1).
jets will be present within the building at each air leakage site.
As the anemometer is moved over the building envelope
surface, it will register an air velocity peak at the location of
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end
the air leakage site. If the building is pressurized, interior air of these practices.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
E1186–98
5.2 In some buildings, restricting air movement between 6.2 Since the test is conducted in the field, safety equipment
interior zones of a building may be desired to separate required for general field work also applies, such as safety
dissimilar interior environments or prevent the movement of shoes, hard hats, etc.
pollutants. Although not dealt with specifically in this standard, 6.3 Because air-moving equipment may be involved in
the detection practices presented can also be useful in detecting these tests, provide a proper guard or cage to house the fan or
air leaks between interior zones of the building. blower and to prevent accidental access to any moving parts of
5.3 Air leakage sites are often difficult to locate because air the equipment.
flows may be small under the prevailing weather conditions. 6.4 Noise may be generated by the moving air from pres-
Wind conditions can aid in air leakage detection by forcing air surization systems. Therefore, make hearing protection avail-
to enter a building; however, where air is exiting, the building able to personnel who must be close to the noise source.
envelope construction may make observations difficult. For 6.5 Use of smoke tracers often produces pungent and
these reasons, forced pressurization or depressurization is caustic fumes. Although extremely localized, precautions
strongly recommended for those practices which require con- should be taken so that smoke inhalation is minimized and
trolled flow direction. respiratory protection is provided as required. See Note 1.
5.4 The techniques for air leakage site detection covered in
NOTE 1—Hands should be washed before eating if large quantities of
these practices allow for a wide range of flexibility in the
pungent or caustic fumes have been generated.
choice of techniques that are best suited for detecting various
6.6 Moving air from the pressurization devices can produce
types of air leakage sites in specific situations.
cold drafts affecting plants, birds, wall-mounted pictures,
5.5 The infrared scanning technique for air leakage site
papers on desks, etc. These sensitive items should be moved
detection has the advantage of rapid surveying capability.
out of the air path. Prolonged depressurization testing may
Entire building exterior surfaces or inside wall surfaces can be
result in lower temperatures in critical areas of the building and
covered with a single scan or a simple scanning action,
may adversely affect building components, for example frozen
provided there are no obscuring thermal effects from construc-
pipes.
tion features or incident solar radiation. The details of a specific
6.7 Depressurization in buildings with fireplaces can cause
air leakage site may then be probed more closely by focusing
movement of ashes into occupied spaces. Close dampers or
on the local area. Local leak detection is well addressed with
cover fireplaces, or both, prior to depressurization.
the smoke tracer, anemometer, sound detection, the bubble
6.8 Caution must be exercised as to the choice of tracer
detection and the tracer gas techniques, however these tech-
gases used and the level of concentration provided. Health
niques are time consuming for large surfaces. The pressurized
guidelines, fire and explosion limits must not be exceeded. See
or depressurized test chamber and smoke tracer or a depres-
Test Method E 741.
surized test chamber and leak detection liquid practices can be
used in situations where depressurizing or pressurizing the
7. Procedure
entire envelope is impractical, such as is the case during
7.1 Ea
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