ASTM E1186-22

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 Where restricting air movement between interior zones of a building is desired to separate dissimilar interior environments or prevent the movement of pollutants, the detection practices presented are useful in detecting air leaks between interior zones of the building.  
5.3 Where practices require controlled flow direction, forced pressurization or depressurization shall be used.
Note 2: Forced air leakage is required because 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.  
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 are covered with a single scan or a simple scanning action, provided there are no obscuring thermal effec...
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover standardized techniques for locating air leakage sites in building envelopes and air barrier systems.  
1.2 Individual practices provide 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2022
• ICS: 91.120.99 - Other standards related to protection of and in buildings
• 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: E1186 − 22
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 Individual practices provide advantages for specific
E779 Test Method for DeterminingAir Leakage Rate by Fan
applications.
Pressurization
1.3 Some of the practices require a knowledge of infrared
2.2 Entertainment Services and Technology Association
scanning, building and test chamber pressurization and 3
(ESTA) Standards:
depressurization, smoke and fog generation techniques, sound
ANSI E1.5 Entertainment Technology–Theatrical Fog Made
generation and detection, and tracer gas concentration mea-
with Aqueous Solutions of Di- and Trihydric Alcohols
surement techniques.
ANSI E1.23 Entertainment Technology–Design and Execu-
1.4 The practices described are of a qualitative nature in tion of Theatrical Fog Effects
3
2.3 Other Standards:
determining the air leakage sites rather than determining
quantitative leakage rates. ANSI-ASHRAE Standard 101 Application of Infrared Sens-
ing Devices to the Assessment of Building Heat Loss
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Characteristics
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ISO Standard 6781 Thermal Insulation—Qualitative Detec-
standard.
tion of Thermal Irregularities in Building Envelopes—
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Infrared Method
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3. Terminology
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1 Definitions:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1 air barrier system, n—a system in building construc-
For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.
tion that is designed and installed to reduce air leakage either
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
into or through the building envelope.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.2 air exfiltration, n—air leakage out of the building.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.3 air infiltration, n—air leakage into the building.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.4 air leakage rate, n—the volume of air movement per
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
unit time across the building envelope or air barrier system,
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 [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 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E1186-17. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/E1186-22. 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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E1186 − 22
including flow through joints, cracks, and porous surfaces, or Because the infiltrating air is at a different temperature than the
combinations thereof, in which the driving force for such air interior surfaces of the building envelope, local interior surface
leakage in buildings is either mechanical pressurization or temperature changes take place which can be detected by
evacuation, natural wind pressures, or air temperature differ- infrared scanning equipment. The infrared pattern resulting
ences between the building interior and the outdoors, or from air leakage is different from that associated with varied
combinations th
...

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 − 17 E1186 − 22
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 Individual
practices provide 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.
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
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 July 15, 2017Oct. 1, 2022. Published August 2017October 2022. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20092017 as
E1186-03(2009).E1186-17. DOI: 10.1520/E1186-17.10.1520/E1186-22.
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’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 − 22
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.
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.
3.1.5 air leakage si
...