ASTM E2357-18

Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate of Air Barrier Assemblies

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This method is intended to simulate the performance of various air barrier materials/accessories when combined into an assembly. Based upon the results of the measurements, this procedure then assigns an air leakage rating for the air barrier assembly.  
5.2 This method does not purport to establish all criteria necessary for consideration in the selection of an air barrier assembly. The results are intended to be used for comparison purposes and may not represent the field installed performance of the air barrier assembly when installed as part of an air barrier system in a building. However, the results of these tests may be useful in determining the appropriate use of a specified air barrier system assembly.  
5.3 This method does not purport to establish all criteria necessary for air barrier systems of all construction types. Test Method E2178 provides an air permeance test method for testing of some air barrier materials. Specification E1677 provides a specification for air barrier systems for low-rise framed building walls.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the air leakage rate of air barrier assemblies that are used in building enclosures. This procedure measures the air leakage of a representative air barrier assembly before and after exposure to specific conditioning cycles and then assigns a rating dependent upon the results. Although this is a laboratory procedure, the method may also be applied to site mockups.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2018
• ICS: 91.120.10 - Thermal insulation of buildings
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

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: E2357 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Determining Air Leakage Rate of Air Barrier Assemblies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2357; 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 E783 Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage
Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the air
E1424 Test Method for Determining the Rate of Air Leakage
leakage rate of air barrier assemblies that are used in building
Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors
enclosures. This procedure measures the air leakage of a
Under Specified Pressure and Temperature Differences
representative air barrier assembly before and after exposure to
Across the Specimen
specific conditioning cycles and then assigns a rating depen-
E1677 Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or System
dent upon the results. Although this is a laboratory procedure,
for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls
the method may also be applied to site mockups.
E2178 Test Method for Air Permeance of Building Materials
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Terminology
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of general terms related to building
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the construction used in this test method, refer to Terminology
E631.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.1 air barrier—a designated “plane” of reduced air flow
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
between different environments.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.2.2 air barrier accessory—a transitional component of the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
air barrier that provides continuity.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.3 air barrier assembly—the air barrier materials and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
accessories that provide a continuous designated plane to the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
movement of air through portions of building enclosure assem-
blies.
2. Referenced Documents
2
3.2.4 air barrier material—a primary element that provides
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a continuous barrier to the movement of air.
E283 Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage
Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors
3.2.5 air barrier system—a combination of air barrier as-
Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Speci- semblies installed to provide a continuous barrier to the
men
movement of air through building enclosures.
E330/E330M Test Method for Structural Performance of
3.2.6 air leakage rate—the quantitative measure of air
Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by
passage through a set surface area of an assembly within a
Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference
given time period under a pressure differential between the two
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
sides of the assembly.
3.2.7 building enclosure—a system of building components
and materials designed and installed in such a manner as to
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on
provide a barrier between different environments, including
Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41
dissimilar interior environments.
on Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
3.2.8 continuity—an uninterrupted succession of an air bar-
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E2357–17. DOI:
rier materials, accessories and assemblies.
10.1520/E2357–18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.2.9 durability—the ability of a building component to
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
perform its required functions over a period of time within the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. environment to which it is exposed.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2357 − 18
3.2.10 negative pressure—ai
...

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: E2357 − 17 E2357 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Determining Air Leakage Rate of Air Barrier Assemblies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2357; 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 This test method covers the determination of the air leakage rate of air barrier assemblies that are used in building
enclosures. This procedure measures the air leakage of a representative air barrier assembly before and after exposure to specific
conditioning cycles and then assigns a rating dependent upon the results. Although this is a laboratory procedure, the method may
also be applied to site mockups.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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:
E283 Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified
Pressure Differences Across the Specimen
E330/E330M Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform
Static Air Pressure Difference
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E783 Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage Through Installed Exterior Windows and Doors
E1424 Test Method for Determining the Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under
Specified Pressure and Temperature Differences Across the Specimen
E1677 Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or System for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls
E2178 Test Method for Air Permeance of Building Materials
3. Terminology
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:
3.2.1 air barrier—a designated “plane” of reduced air flow between different environments.
3.2.2 air barrier accessory—a transitional component of the air barrier that provides continuity.
3.2.3 air barrier assembly—the air barrier materials and accessories that provide a continuous designated plane to the movement
of air through portions of building enclosure assemblies.
3.2.4 air barrier material—a primary element that provides a continuous barrier to the movement of air.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.41 on Air Leakage
and Ventilation Performance.
Current edition approved June 1, 2017Oct. 1, 2018. Published August 2017November 2018. Originally approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 20112017
as E2357-11.–17. DOI: 10.1520/E2357-17.10.1520/E2357–18.
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’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 ----------------------
E2357 − 18
3.2.5 air barrier system—a combination of air barrier assemblies installed to provide a continuous barrier to the movement of
air through building enclosures.
3.2.6 air leakage rate—the quantitative measure of air passage through a set surface area of an assembly within a given time
period under a pressure differential between the two sides of the assembly.
3.2.7 building enclosure—a system of building components and materials designed and installed in such a manner as to provide
a barrier between different environments, including dissimilar
...