Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Air infiltration into the conditioned space of a building accounts for a significant portion of the thermal space condition load. Air infiltration can affect occupant comfort by producing drafts, cause indoor air quality problems by carrying outdoor pollutants into occupied building space and, in hot humid climates, can deposit moisture in the building envelope resulting in deterioration of building envelope components. In cold climates, exfiltration of conditioned air out of a building can deposit moisture in the building envelope causing deterioration of building envelope components. Differential pressure across the building envelope and the presence of air leakage sites cause air infiltration and exfiltration (1).4  
5.2 In some buildings, restricting air movement between interior zones of a building may be desired to separate dissimilar interior environments or prevent the movement of pollutants. Although not dealt with specifically in this standard, the detection practices presented can also be useful in detecting air leaks between interior zones of the building.  
5.3 Air leakage sites are often difficult to locate because air flows may be small under the prevailing weather conditions. Wind conditions can aid in air leakage detection by forcing air to enter a building; however, where air is exiting, the building envelope construction may make observations difficult. For these reasons, forced pressurization or depressurization is strongly recommended for those practices which require controlled flow direction.  
5.4 The techniques for air leakage site detection covered in these practices allow for a wide range of flexibility in the choice of techniques that are best suited for detecting various types of air leakage sites in specific situations.  
5.5 The infrared scanning technique for air leakage site detection has the advantage of rapid surveying capability. Entire building exterior surfaces or inside wall surfaces can be covered with a single scan or...
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover standardized techniques for locating air leakage sites in building envelopes and air barrier systems.  
1.2 These practices offer a choice of means for determining the location of air leakage sites with each offering certain advantages for specific applications.  
1.3 Some of the practices require a knowledge of infrared scanning, building and test chamber pressurization and depressurization, smoke and fog 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.  
1.7 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.

General Information

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Publication Date
14-Jul-2017
Current Stage
Ref Project

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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: E1186 − 17
Standard Practices for
Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air
1
Barrier Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1186; 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
1.1 These practices cover standardized techniques for locat- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
ing air leakage sites in building envelopes and air barrier E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
systems. E741 Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single
Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution
1.2 These practices offer a choice of means for determining
E779 Test Method for DeterminingAir Leakage Rate by Fan
the location of air leakage sites with each offering certain
Pressurization
advantages for specific applications.
2.2 Entertainment Services and Technology Association
1.3 Some of the practices require a knowledge of infrared 3
(ESTA) Standards:
scanning, building and test chamber pressurization and
ANSI E1.5 Entertainment Technology–Theatrical Fog Made
depressurization, smoke and fog generation techniques, sound
with Aqueous Solutions of Di- and Trihydric Alcohols
generation and detection, and tracer gas concentration mea-
ANSI E1.23 Entertainment Technology–Design and Execu-
surement techniques.
tion of Theatrical Fog Effects
3
2.3 Other Standards:
1.4 The practices described are of a qualitative nature in
determining the air leakage sites rather than determining ANSI-ASHRAE Standard 101 Application of Infrared Sens-
ing Devices to the Assessment of Building Heat Loss
quantitative leakage rates.
Characteristics
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
ISO Standard 6781 Thermal Insulation—Qualitative Detec-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
tion of Thermal Irregularities in Building Envelopes—
standard.
Infrared Method
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.1 air barrier system, n—a system in building construc-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tion that is designed and installed to reduce air leakage either
For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.
into or through the building envelope.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2 air exfiltration, n—air leakage out of the building.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.3 air infiltration, n—air leakage into the building.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.4 air leakage rate, n—the volume of air movement per
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
unit time across the building envelope or air barrier system,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
including flow through joints, cracks, and porous surfaces, or
1 2
These practices 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 service@astm.org. 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 July 15, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1186-03(2009). DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/E1186-17. 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1186 − 17
combinations thereof, in which the driving force for such air E779) or using the mechanical system in the building. Because
leakage in buildings is either mechanical pressurization or the infiltrating air is at a different temperature than the interior
evacuation, natural wind pressures, or air temperature differ- surfaces of the building envelope, local interior surface tem-
ences between the building interior and the outdoors, or perature changes take place which can be detected by infrared
combinations thereof. scanning equipment. The infrared pattern resulting from air
leakage is different from that associated with varied
...

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: E1186 − 03 (Reapproved 2009) E1186 − 17
Standard Practices for
Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air
1
Barrier Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1186; 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 practices cover standardized techniques for locating air leakage sites in building envelopes and air barrier systems.
1.2 These practices offer a choice of means for determining the location of air leakage sites with each offering certain
advantages for specific applications.
1.3 Some of the practices require a knowledge of infrared scanning, building and test chamber pressurization and
depressurization, smoke and fog 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.
1.7 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:
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
3
2.2 Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) Standards:
ANSI E1.5 Entertainment Technology–Theatrical Fog Made with Aqueous Solutions of Di- and Trihydric Alcohols
ANSI E1.23 Entertainment Technology–Design and Execution of Theatrical Fog Effects
3
2.3 Other Standards:
ANSI-ASHRAE Standard 101 Application of Infrared Sensing Devices to the Assessment of Building Heat Loss Characteristics
ISO Standard 6781 Thermal Insulation—Qualitative Detection of Thermal Irregularities in Building Envelopes—Infrared
Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 air barrier system, n—a system in building construction that is designed and installed to reduce air leakage either into or
through the building envelope.
1
These practices 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 April 15, 2009July 15, 2017. Published June 2009August 2017. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20032009 as
E1186 – 03.E1186-03(2009). DOI: 10.1520/E1186-03R09.10.1520/E1186-17.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1186 − 17
3.1.2 air exfiltration, n—air leakage out of the building.
3.1.3 air infiltration, n—air leakage into the building.
3.1.4 air leakage rate, n—the volume of air movement per unit time across the building envelope or air barrier system, including
flow through joints, cracks, and porous surfaces, or combinations thereof, in which the driving force for such air leakage in
buildings is either mechanical pressurization or evacuation, natural wind pressures, or air temperature differences between the
building interior and the outdoors, or combinations thereof.
3.1.
...

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