E06.41 - Air Leakage and Ventilation Performance

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 As the building industry shifts towards performance-based design, specification of material properties consistent with anticipated in-service conditions becomes paramount to the design process. When specifying water vapor transmission properties, it is important to identify water vapor transmission properties for WRB/AB products that are measured under test conditions relevant to anticipated in-service conditions. This guide provides a performance-based framework for characterizing the water vapor transmission properties of WRB/AB.  
4.2 When specifying WRB/AB, water vapor permeance is an important attribute to consider for proper moisture management and functioning of wall and roof assemblies in service. In North America, water vapor transmission properties of water-resistive and air barrier materials are traditionally tested in accordance with Test Methods E96/E96M. This guide adopts the ASTM E96/E96M test methods as a primary source of information for water vapor transmission properties of WRB/AB unless otherwise instructed by the design professional.  
4.3 Most standard test methods rely on a limited set of steady-state testing conditions for evaluating the water vapor transmission properties of materials. Test conditions used to measure and report water vapor transmission values of WRB/AB should represent the in-service conditions of the tested material as closely as possible (that is, should cover the range of temperature and relative humidity conditions the products will experience when installed in wall and roof assemblies). The water vapor permeance of many WRB/AB materials can vary by more than an order of magnitude when tested for ranges of temperatures and relative humidity expected in service. For this reason, WVT properties over the full range of environmental conditions that the material will most likely experience in service should be used or evaluated when specifying a material or assembly design for a specific project.
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1.1 This document covers guidelines for specifying water vapor transmission (WVT) properties for above-grade water-resistive barriers and air barriers (WRB/AB), typically installed between building structural components and cladding that compose the exterior side of building envelopes in North America.  
1.2 This guide applies to all types of water-resistive barrier and air barrier products, including multifunctional products, regardless of the manufacturing process, type of material, or installation technique.  
1.3 This guide provides general provisions for specifying and reporting the water vapor transmission properties of WRB/AB determined by standardized test methods, in accordance with in-service conditions these products typically experience within building envelopes.  
1.4 It is beyond the scope of this guide to optimize the water vapor transmission characteristics of WRB/AB for specific conditions of use. The specific conditions of use should account for variations in indoor and outdoor climates, cladding type, moisture storage capacity of cladding materials, thermal insulating measures for wall and roof assemblies, air movement, and vapor diffusion control strategies.  
1.5 This guide does not address proper installation and integration of WRB/AB with other wall and roof components.  
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units shown in parentheses are provided for information only. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently. Combining values from two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. However, derived results can be converted between systems using appropriate conversion factors (see Table 1).  
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 approp...

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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Air leakage between an air distribution system and unconditioned spaces affects the energy losses from the distribution system, the ventilation rate of the building, and the entry rate of air pollutants.  
5.2 The determination of infiltration energy loads and ventilation rates of residences and small commercial buildings are typically based on the assumption that the principal driving forces for infiltration and ventilation are the wind and indoor/outdoor temperature differences. This can be an inappropriate assumption for buildings that have distribution systems that pass through unconditioned spaces, because the existence of relatively modest leakage from that system has a relatively large impact on overall ventilation rates. The air leakage characteristics of these exterior distribution systems are needed to determine their ventilation, energy, and pollutant-entry implications.  
5.3 Air leakage through the exterior air distribution envelope may be treated in the same manner as air leakage in the building envelope as long as the system is not operating (see Test Method E779). However, when the system blower is on, the pressures across the air distribution system leaks are usually significantly larger than those driving natural infiltration. Depending on the size of the leaks, these pressures can induce much larger flows than natural infiltration. Thus, it is important to be able to isolate these leaks from building envelope leaks. The leakage of air distribution systems must be measured in the field, because it has been shown that workmanship and installation details are more important than design in determining the leakage of these systems.  
5.4 For codes, standards, and other compliance or quality control applications, the precision and repeatability at meeting a specified target (for example, air flow at reference pressure) is more important than air leakage flows at operating conditions. Some existing codes, standards, and voluntary programs require ...
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1.1 The test methods included in this standard are applicable to the air distribution systems in low-rise residential and commercial buildings.  
1.2 These test methods cover four techniques for measuring the air leakage of air distribution systems. The techniques use air flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage characteristics.  
1.3 The test methods for two of the techniques also specify the auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magnitude of the distribution system air leakage during normal operation.  
1.4 A test method for the total recirculating air flow induced by the system blower is included so that the air distribution system leakage can be normalized as is often required for energy calculations.  
1.5 The proper use of these test methods requires knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.  
1.6 Three of these test methods are intended to produce a measure of the air leakage from the air distribution system to outside. The other test method measures total air leakage including air leaks to inside conditioned space.  
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.8 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.  
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Developme...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The fan pressurization procedure provides a relatively fast evaluation of the airtightness of building envelopes. In order for the accuracy of the test results to be known, the airflow rate measurement technique of the fan pressurization system must be calibrated.  
5.2 This test method is applicable to fan pressurization systems that are installed in an opening in the building envelope, as opposed to pressurization techniques involving the mechanical ventilation system of the building.  
5.3 The technique of pressurization testing of buildings puts specific requirements on the calibration of fan pressurization systems. The calibration must cover the range of fan pressure differences (approximately 12.5 Pa to 75 Pa) that is induced during pressurization tests. The calibration must also cover a range in fan airflow rates corresponding to the range in building size and airtightness that the fan pressurization system will encounter in the field.  
5.4 The fan pressurization system must be calibrated in both directions of airflow used to pressurize and depressurize a building if the system airflow direction is reversible. These two calibrations can be conducted using the various setups described in this test method; however some of the setups can be combined such that a single calibration facility can be used to calibrate the fan in both directions. Such a single setup may involve moving the fan pressurization system from one end of the chamber to the other, reversing the orientation of the system at the same end of the chamber, or it may not require moving the system at all.  
5.5 The calibration technique is applicable to the two basic types of fan pressurization systems in use, r/min doors and signal doors.  
5.6 For fan pressurization systems that operate in multiple ranges of airflow rate, the system must be calibrated in each range.  
5.7 The calibration technique is intended to provide a complete calibration of a fan pressurization system. After calibra...
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1.1 This test method covers the airflow measurement calibration techniques for fan pressurization systems used for measuring air leakage rates through building envelopes.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to systems used for air leakage measurement as described in Test Methods E779, E1827, E3158, and ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380.  
1.3 This test method involves the installation of the fan pressurization system in a calibration chamber. Use of the fan pressurization system in an actual building may introduce additional errors in the airflow measurement due to operator influence, interference of internal partitions and furnishings, weather effects, and other factors.  
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of airflow and pressure measurement.  
1.5 This standard includes two basic procedures, a preferred procedure, based on ASHRAE 51/AMCA 210, and an optional procedure based on a nonstandard airflow measurement technique, commonly used by manufacturers of fan pressurization devices, but which has not been compared with standard airflow measurement techniques.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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.  
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.

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. The provisions contained in this specification are intended to allow the user to design the wall performance criteria and increase AB specifications to accommodate a particular climate location, function, or design of the intended building. This specification focuses mainly on ABs for opaque walls. Other areas of the exterior envelope, such as roofs, floors, and interfaces between these areas are not included in this specification. Also not addressed here are air leakages into the wall cavity, that is, windwashing. Additionally, the specifications in this standard are not intended to be utilized for energy load calculations and are not based on an expected level of energy consumption.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers minimum performances and specification criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings. The intended users are purchasers of the AB, specifiers of the AB and regulatory groups. The provisions contained in this specification are intended to allow the user to design the wall performance criteria and increase AB specifications to accommodate a particular climate location, function, or design of the intended building. Air barrier performance and specification minimums were selected with the service life of the building wall in mind.  
1.2 This specification focuses on ABs for opaque walls. Other areas of the exterior envelope, such as roofs, floors, and interfaces between these areas are not included in this specification.  
1.3 This specification does not address air leakage into the wall cavity, that is, windwashing. No standardized test has been developed that adequately identifies all of the influencing factors and measures the impact of this effect on the wall's thermal performance.  
1.4 The specifications in this standard are not intended to be utilized for energy load calculations and are not based on an expected level of energy consumption.  
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Annex A1, of this specification. 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.  
1.7 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Effects of Air Change—Air change often accounts for a significant portion of the heating or air-conditioning load of a building. It also affects the moisture and contaminant balances in the building. Moisture-laden air passing through the building envelope can permit condensation and cause material degradation. An appropriate level of ventilation is required in all buildings; one should consult ASHRAE Standard 62 to determine the ventilation requirements of a building.  
5.2 Prediction of Air Change—Air change depends on the size and distribution of air leakage sites, pressure differences induced by wind and temperature, mechanical system operation, and occupant behavior. Air change may be calculated from this information, however, many of the needed parameters are difficult to determine. Tracer gas testing permits direct measurement of air change.  
5.3 Utility of Measurement—Measurements of air change provide useful information about ventilation and air leakage. Measurements in buildings with the ventilation system closed are used to determine whether natural air leakage rates are higher than specified. Measurements with the ventilation system in operation are used to determine whether the air change meets or exceeds requirements.  
5.4 Known Conditions—Knowledge of the factors that affect air change makes measurement more meaningful. Relating building response to wind and temperature requires repetition of the test under varying meteorological conditions. Relating building response to the ventilation system or to occupant behavior requires controlled variation of these factors.  
5.5 Applicability of Results—The values for air change obtained by the techniques used in this test method apply to the specific conditions prevailing at the time of the measurement. Air change values for the same building will differ if the prevailing wind and temperature conditions have changed, if the operation of the building is different, or if the envelope changes between m...
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1.1 This test method covers techniques using tracer gas dilution for determining a single zone's air change with the outdoors, as induced by weather conditions and by mechanical ventilation. These techniques are: (1) concentration decay, (2) constant injection, and (3) constant concentration.  
1.2 This test method is restricted to a single tracer gas.  
1.3 The associated data analysis assumes that one can characterize the tracer gas concentration within the zone with a single value. The zone shall be a building, vehicle, test cell, or any conforming enclosure.  
1.4 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units, especially those of time.  
1.5 Determination of the contribution to air change by individual components of the zone enclosure is beyond the scope of this test method.  
1.6 The results from this test method pertain only to those conditions of weather and zonal operation that prevailed during the measurement. The use of the results from this test to predict air change under other conditions is beyond the scope of this test method.  
1.7 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of this test method.  
1.8 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.  
1.9 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 Reco...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended to provide the framework for characterizing the functions of the hygrothermal model and the level of sophistication used as inputs for each analysis. Hygrothermal modeling has become an important practice in support of the decision-making design processes involved in moisture management of building envelope systems. Increasingly, hygrothermal models are an integral part of building envelope performance assessment, retrofit, and restoration studies and provide insight in the screening of alternative design approaches affecting water management of the envelope system. Hygrothermal models are used in decision making during the design process of building envelope systems. They may also be used to assess performance of the envelopes of existing buildings, or to predict envelope performance in buildings undergoing retrofit, change in use, restoration or flood remediation. It is, therefore, important to have a methodology to document the model used in a hygrothermal investigation. This documentation provides needed characterization of the hygrothermal model to assess its credibility and suitability. This becomes even more important because of the increasing complexity of the building envelope systems for which new hygrothermal models are being developed. There are many different hygrothermal models available, each with specific capabilities, operational characteristics, and limitations. If modeling is considered for a project, it is important to determine if a hygrothermal model is appropriate for that project, or if a model exists that can perform the simulations required in the project.  
4.2 Quality assurance in a hygrothermal analysis using modeling is achieved by using the most appropriate model with all important transport mechanisms, initial conditions, and boundary conditions. A well-executed quality assurance program in hygrothermal modeling requires systematic and complete documentation of the model and the inputs followed by consisten...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide offers guidance for the characterization and use of hygrothermal models for moisture control design of building envelopes. In this context, “hygrothermal models” refers to the application of a mathematical model to the solution of a specific heat and moisture flow performance issue or problem. Hygrothermal models are used to predict and evaluate design considerations for the short-term and long-term thermal and moisture performance of building envelopes.  
1.2 Each hygrothermal model has specific capabilities and limitations. Determining the most appropriate hygrothermal model for a particular application requires a thorough analysis of the problem at hand, understanding the required transport processes involved, and available resources to conduct the analysis. Users of this guide can describe the functionality of the hygrothermal model used in an analysis in a consistent manner.  
1.3 This guide applies to hygrothermal models that range from complex research tools to simple design tools. This guide provides a protocol for matching the analysis needs and the capabilities of candidate models.  
1.4 This guide applies to the use of models that include all or part of the following thermal and moisture storage and transport phenomena: (1) heat storage of dry and wet building materials, (2) heat transport by moisture-dependent thermal conduction, (3) phase change phenomena (for example, evaporation and condensation), (4) heat transport by air convection, (5) moisture retention by vapor adsorption and capillary forces, (6) moisture transport by vapor diffusion (molecular and effusion), (7) moisture transport by liquid transport (surface diffusion and capillary flow), and (8) moisture (vapor) transport by air convection.  
1.5 This guide does not apply to cases requiring analysis of the following: (1) convection that occurs in a three-dimensional manner or through holes and cracks; (2) hydraulic, osmotic, or ...

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.

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...
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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...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The purpose of the methods, systems, and designs described in this practice is to reduce radiation exposures for occupants of residential buildings caused by radon and its progeny. The goal of mitigation is to maintain reduced radon concentrations in occupiable areas of buildings at levels as low as reasonably achievable. This practice includes sections on reducing radiation exposure caused by radon and its progeny for workers who install and repair radon mitigation systems. The goal for workers is to reduce exposures to radon and its progeny to levels as low as reasonably achievable.  
5.2 The methods, systems, designs, and materials described here have been shown to have a high probability of success in mitigating radon in attached and detached residential buildings, three stories or less in height (see EPA, “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses, Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active Soil Depressurization Systems”). Application of these methods does not, however, guarantee reduction of radon levels below any specific level, since performance will vary with site conditions, construction characteristics, weather, and building operation.  
5.3 When applying this practice, contractors also shall conform to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, and laws pertaining to residential building construction, remodeling, and improvement.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use by trained, certified or licensed, or both, or otherwise qualified individuals.  
1.2 These methods are based on radon mitigation techniques that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More detailed information is contained in references cited throughout this practice.  
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofitting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation systems.  
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to currently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings, including buildings converted or being converted to residential use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed by addition(s) or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction activities performed on new dwellings, while under construction, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy, are covered by Practice E1465.  
1.5 This practice also is intended as a model set of practices, which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdictions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation performed in accordance with this practice is considered ordinary repair.  
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the following categories of contractor activity: general practices, building investigation, systems design, systems installation, materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and documentation.  
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.8 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. See Section 6 for specific safety hazards.  
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this test is to calculate an assigned air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials at a reference air pressure differential of 75 Pa. The results may be useful in determining suitability of that material as a component of an air retarder system.  
4.2 This method does not address the installed air leakage performance of building materials. The installed performance of air retarder materials and air retarder systems is addressed in Specification E1677, Test Method D8052/D8052M, and Test Method E2357.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is to determine the air leakage rate of building materials at various pressure differentials with the intent of calculating an assigned air permeance rate of the material at the reference pressure difference (ΔP) of 75 Pa.  
1.2 The method is intended to assess flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials using a 1 m × 1 m specimen size.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurements are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Residential duct systems are often field designed and assembled. There are many joints, often of dissimilar materials that require both mechanical connection and air sealing. Without this sealing, duct systems would be extremely leaky and hence inefficient. While some duct sealants are rated on their properties at the time of manufacture or during storage, none of these ratings adequately addresses the in-service lifetime. This test method has been developed to address this durability issue.  
5.2 This standard applies to products which list duct sealing as one of their uses. This includes duct tape (cloth, metal foil, or plastic backed), mastics, and sprayed/aerosol sealants. It does not apply to caulks or plaster patches that are not intended to be permanent duct sealing methods.  
5.3 The standard duct leak site is a collar to plenum connection for round duct that is 10 cm to 20 cm [4 in. to 8 in.] in diameter. This perpendicular connection was chosen because almost all residential duct systems have this type of connection and in field observations of duct systems, it is often this type of connection that has sealant failure.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes an accelerated aging test for evaluating the durability of duct sealants by exposure to temperatures and static pressures characteristic of residential duct systems.  
1.2 This test method is intended to produce a relative measure of the durability of duct sealants. This standard does not measure durability under specific conditions of weather and building operation that might be experienced by an individual building and duct system. Instead it evaluates the sealant method under fixed conditions that do not include the manifold effects of installation practice.  
1.3 This test method only addresses sealants not mechanical strength of the connections.  
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Moisture degradation is frequently a significant factor that either limits the useful life of a building or necessitates costly repairs. Examples of moisture degradation include: (1) decay of wood-based materials, (2) spalling of masonry caused by freeze-thaw cycles, (3) damage to gypsum plasters by dissolution, (4) corrosion of metals, (5) damage due to expansion of materials or components (by swelling due to moisture pickup, or by expansion due to corrosion, hydration, or delayed ettringite formation), (6) spalling and degradation caused by salt migration, (7) failure of finishes, and (8) creep deformation and reduction in strength or stiffness.  
4.1.1 Moisture accumulation within construction components or constructions may adversely affect serviceability of a building, without necessarily causing immediate and serious degradation of the construction components. Examples of such serviceability issues are: (1) indoor air quality, (2) electrical safety, (3) degradation of thermal performance of insulations, and (4) decline in physical appearance. Mold or mildew growth can influence indoor air quality and physical appearance. With some components, in particular interior surface finishes, mold or mildew growth may limit service life of the component. Moisture conditions that affect serviceability issues can frequently be expected, unless corrected, to eventually result in degradation of the building or its components. This guide does not attempt however to address serviceability issues that could be corrected by cleaning and change in building operation, and that would not require repair or replacement of components to return the building (or portions or components of the building) to serviceability.  
4.2 Prevention of water-induced damage must be considered throughout the construction process including the various stages of the design process, construction, and building commissioning. It must also be considered in building operation and maintenance, and when...
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1.1 This guide covers building design, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.  
1.2 This guide addresses the need for systematic evaluation of factors that can result in moisture-induced damage to a building or its components. Although of great potential importance, serviceability issues which are often, but not necessarily, related to physical damage of the building or its components (for example, indoor air quality or electrical safety) are not directly addressed in this guide.  
1.3 The emphasis of this guide is on low-rise buildings. Portions of this guide; in particular Sections 5, 6, and 7; may also be applicable to high-rise buildings.  
1.4 This guide is not intended for direct use in codes and specifications. It does not attempt to prescribe acceptable limits of damage. Buildings intended for different uses may have different service life expectancies, and expected service lives of different components within a given building often differ. Furthermore, some building owners may be satisfied with substantially shorter service life expectancies of building components or of the entire building than other building owners. Lastly, the level of damage that renders a component unserviceable may vary with the type of component, the degree to which failure of the component is critical (for example, whether failure constitutes a life-safety hazard), and the judgement (that is, tolerance for damage) of the building owner. For the reasons stated in this paragraph, prescribing limits of damage would require listing many pages of exceptions and qualifiers and is beyond the scope of this guide.  
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns associated with its use. It...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The method presented here is a field method that may be used to determine mass and volume flow rates in ducts where flow conditions may be irregular and nonuniform. The gas flowing in the duct is considered to be an ideal gas. The method may be especially useful in those locations where conventional pitot tube or thermal anemometer velocity measurements are difficult or inappropriate due either to very low average flow velocity or the lack of a suitable run of duct upstream and downstream of the measurement location.  
5.2 This test method can produce the volumetric flow rate at standard conditions without the need to determine gas stream composition, temperature, and water vapor content.  
5.3 This test method is useful for determining mass or volumetric flow rates in HVAC ducts, fume hoods, vent stacks, and mine tunnels, as well as in performing model studies of pollution control devices.  
5.4 This test method is based on first principles (conservation of mass) and does not require engineering assumptions.  
5.5 This test method does not require the measurement of the area of the duct or stack.  
5.6 The test method does not require flow straightening.  
5.7 The test method is independent of flow conditions, such as angle, swirl, turbulence, reversals, and hence, does not require flow straightening.  
5.8 The dry volumetric airflow can be determined by drying the air samples without measuring the water vapor concentration.
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1.1 This test method describes the measurement of the volumetric and mass flow rate of a gas stream within a duct, stack, pipe, mine tunnel, or flue using a tracer gas dilution technique. For editorial convenience all references in the text will be to a duct, but it should be understood that this could refer equally well to a stack, pipe, mine tunnel, or flue. This test method is limited to those applications where the gas stream and the tracer gas can be treated as ideal gases at the conditions of the measurement. In this test method, the gas stream will be referred as air, though it could be any another gas that exhibits ideal gas law behavior.  
1.2 This test method is not restricted to any particular tracer gas although experimental experience has shown that certain gases are used more readily than others as suitable tracer gases. It is preferable that the tracer gas not be a natural component of the gas stream.  
1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units.  
1.4 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 to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.  
1.5 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Air leakage accounts for a significant portion of the thermal space conditioning load. In addition, it affects occupant comfort and indoor air quality.  
5.2 In most commercial or industrial buildings, outdoor air is often introduced by design; however, air leakage is a significant addition to the designed outdoor airflow. In most residential buildings, indoor-outdoor air exchange is attributable primarily to air leakage through cracks and construction joints and is induced by pressure differences due to temperature differences, wind, operation of auxiliary fans (for example, kitchen and bathroom exhausts), and the operation of combustion equipment in the building.  
5.3 The fan-pressurization method is simpler than tracer gas measurements and is intended to characterize the air tightness of the building envelope. It is used to compare the relative air tightness of several similar buildings to identify the leakage sources and rates of leakage from different components of the same building envelope, and to determine the air leakage reduction for individual retrofit measures applied incrementally to an existing building, and to determine ventilation rates when combined with weather and leak location information.
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1.1 This test method measures air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to small temperature differentials and low-wind pressure differential, therefore strong winds and large indoor-outdoor temperature differentials shall be avoided.  
1.3 This test method is intended to quantify the air tightness of a building envelope. This test method does not measure air change rate or air leakage rate under normal weather conditions and building operation.
Note 1: See Test Method E741 to directly measure air-change rates using the tracer gas dilution method.  
1.4 This test method is intended to be used for measuring the air tightness of building envelopes of single-zone buildings. For the purpose of this test method, many multi-zone buildings can be treated as single-zone buildings by opening interior doors or by inducing equal pressures in adjacent zones.  
1.5 Only metric SI units of measurement are used in this standard. If a value for measurement is followed by a value in other units in parentheses, the second value may be approximate. The first stated value is the requirement.  
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 7.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method does not establish requirements for airtightness but provides means of assessing compliance with specified air-leakage rates established elsewhere.  
5.2 This test method is used to determine the airtightness of building envelopes or portions thereof by measuring the air leakage rate at specified reference pressure differentials.  
5.3 This test method provides:  
5.3.1 Specific directions for determining acceptable weather conditions for conducting the test.  
5.3.2 Two different test boundary preparation conditions; building envelope (9.1.1.1), and operational envelope (9.1.1.2).  
5.3.3 Testing conducted in a range of pressures from 10 Pa (0.04 in. WC) to 100 Pa (0.40 in. WC).  
5.4 A measurement of the air-leakage rate of the constructed building envelope. Test methods that measure the air permeance of materials (Test Method E2178) and air leakage of assemblies (Test Method E2357) alone do not address the various complexities of the constructed building envelope, including but not limited to design, sequence, constructability, workmanship, and the transitions between assemblies.  
5.5 This test method applies to all multizone and large building types and portions or subsections of buildings. It can be used to test envelopes that consist of a single zone or subsections of a zone that can be tested as a single zone. Test envelopes that are entirely composed of subsections separated by interior partitions or floors, or both, may be tested as a single zone by maintaining baseline relationships between these subsections throughout testing. (See Appendix X1. See also Test Methods E779 and E1827.) Isolated subsections, each with its own specified air-leakage rate, shall be treated as separate test envelopes and tested separately. While testing isolated subsections, monitoring must be conducted for any extraneous/flanking air movement between the different zones.  
5.6 The building preparations prior to testing (fenestration positions and pr...
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1.1 This standard test method provides a quantitative field-test procedure and calculation method for assessing an air leakage rate using a fan-induced pressure differential(s) across the building envelope, generated by blower doors or equivalent equipment.  
1.2 Building setup conditions in accordance with defining the test boundaries appropriate for testing the envelope’s air leakage are defined in this test method.  
1.3 Procedure to determine the air pressure boundaries of the test envelope to be tested are provided in this test method.  
1.4 This test method applies to all multizone and large building types and portions or subsections thereof.  
1.5 This test method defines three test procedures: multipoint regression, repeated single point, and repeated two-point air leakage rate testing.  
1.6 This test method allows for testing the test envelope in a pressurized condition, a depressurized condition, or in both conditions and averaging the results.  
1.7 This test method applies to an air leakage rate specification with a reference pressure greater than 10 Pa (0.04 in. WC) and not greater than 100 Pa (0.40 in. WC).  
1.8 This test method describes two methods of preparation for the building in order to conduct the test: the building envelope where HVAC-related openings are excluded, and on the operational envelope where the HVAC-related openings are included.  
1.9 Units—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.  
1.10 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.  
1.11 This international standard was developed in accordance...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Cooking can be one of the most polluting activities commonly and regularly occurring in residential environments. Capturing airborne cooking contaminants before they can mix with the indoor air is a critical indoor air quality control method.  
5.2 Range hoods are used in homes to remove cooking-generated contaminants above cooking surfaces before they mix with air in the rest of the house. This test method is used to measure the capture efficiency under specific conditions that permit comparisons and ratings of range hoods.  
5.3 Range hoods may be manufactured and intended to operate at different flow rates or using different inserts such as filters. This test method may be used to determine capture efficiency over the range of rated air flows and operating configurations of a range hood. The rated air flows shall be listed and shall be tested in accordance with HVI Test Procedure 916, IEC 61591, ASHRAE 51/AMCA 210, or equivalent. The maximum air flow allowed for this test method is 200 L/s.
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1.1 This test method measures the capture efficiency of wall-mounted domestic range hoods under controlled conditions in a test chamber.  
1.2 This test method applies to range hoods that exhaust air to outside and does not apply to recirculating range hoods.  
1.3 This test method only applies to range hood air flows up to 200 L/s and widths up to 0.91 m (36 in.).  
1.4 This test method is intended to quantify the capture efficiency of range hoods under controlled laboratory conditions suitable for rating.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. If a value for measurement is followed by a value in other units in parentheses, the second value may be approximate. The first stated value is the requirement.  
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.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Although a number of different methods have been used to assess backdrafting and spillage (see NFPA 54, CAN/CGSB-51.71, and 1-4)6 a single well-accepted method is not yet available. At this point, different methods can yield different results. In addition, advantages and drawbacks of different methods have not been evaluated or described.  
5.2 To provide a consistent basis for selection of methods, this guide summarizes different methods available to assess backdrafting and spillage. Advantages and limitations of each method are addressed.  
5.3 One or more of the methods described in this guide should be performed when backdrafting or spillage from vented combustion appliances is suspected to be the cause of a potential problem such as elevated carbon monoxide (CO) levels or excessive moisture.  
5.4 The following are examples of specific conditions under which such methods could be performed:  
5.4.1 When debris or soot is evident at the draft hood, indicating that backdrafting may have occurred in the past,  
5.4.2 When a new or replacement combustion appliance is added to a residence,  
5.4.3 When a new or replacement exhaust device or system, such as a downdraft range exhaust fan, a fireplace, or a fan-powered radon mitigation system, is added,  
5.4.4 When a residence is being remodeled or otherwise altered to increase energy efficiency, as with various types of weatherization programs, and  
5.4.5 When a CO alarm device has alarmed and a combustion appliance is one of the suspected causes of the alarm.  
5.5 Depending on the nature of the test(s) conducted and the test results, certain preventive or remedial actions may need to be taken. The following are examples:  
5.5.1 If any of the short-term tests indicates a potential for backdrafting, and particularly if more than one test indicates such potential, then the appliance and venting system should be further tested by a qualified technician, or remedial actions could be taken in accordance w...
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1.1 This guide describes and compares different methods for assessing the potential for, or existence of, depressurization-induced backdrafting and spillage from vented residential combustion appliances.  
1.2 Assessment of depressurization-induced backdrafting and spillage is conducted under either induced depressurization or natural conditions.  
1.3 Residential vented combustion appliances addressed in this guide include hot water heaters and furnace. The guide also is applicable to boilers.  
1.4 The methods given in this guide are applicable to Category I (draft-hood- and induced-fan-equipped) furnaces. The guide does not apply to Category III (power-vent-equipped) or Category IV (direct-vent) furnaces.  
1.5 The methods in this guide are not intended to identify backdrafting or spillage due to vent blockage or heat-exchanger leakage.  
1.6 This guide is not intended to provide a basis for determining compliance with code requirements on appliance and venting installation, but does include a visual assessment of the installation. This assessment may indicate the need for a thorough inspection by a qualified technician.  
1.7 Users of the methods in this guide should be familiar with combustion appliance operation and with making house-tightness measurements using a blower door. Some methods described in this guide require familiarity with differential-pressure measurements and use of computer-based data-logging equipment.  
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.9 This guide does not purport to address all safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure or flame roll-out may occur when performing certain proc...

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.
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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.

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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 As the building industry shifts towards performance-based design, specification of material properties consistent with anticipated in-service conditions becomes paramount to the design process. When specifying water vapor transmission properties, it is important to identify water vapor transmission properties for WRB/AB products that are measured under test conditions relevant to anticipated in-service conditions. This guide provides a performance-based framework for characterizing the water vapor transmission properties of WRB/AB.  
4.2 When specifying WRB/AB, water vapor permeance is an important attribute to consider for proper moisture management and functioning of wall and roof assemblies in service. In North America, water vapor transmission properties of water-resistive and air barrier materials are traditionally tested in accordance with Test Methods E96/E96M. This guide adopts the ASTM E96/E96M test methods as a primary source of information for water vapor transmission properties of WRB/AB unless otherwise instructed by the design professional.  
4.3 Most standard test methods rely on a limited set of steady-state testing conditions for evaluating the water vapor transmission properties of materials. Test conditions used to measure and report water vapor transmission values of WRB/AB should represent the in-service conditions of the tested material as closely as possible (that is, should cover the range of temperature and relative humidity conditions the products will experience when installed in wall and roof assemblies). The water vapor permeance of many WRB/AB materials can vary by more than an order of magnitude when tested for ranges of temperatures and relative humidity expected in service. For this reason, WVT properties over the full range of environmental conditions that the material will most likely experience in service should be used or evaluated when specifying a material or assembly design for a specific project.
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1.1 This document provides guidelines for specifying water vapor transmission (WVT) properties for above-grade water-resistive barriers and air barriers (WRB/AB), typically installed between building structural components and cladding that compose the exterior side of building envelopes in North America.  
1.2 This guide applies to all types of water-resistive barrier and air barrier products, including multifunctional products, regardless of the manufacturing process, type of material, or installation technique.  
1.3 This guide provides general provisions for specifying and reporting the water vapor transmission properties of WRB/AB determined by standardized test methods, in accordance with in-service conditions these products typically experience within building envelopes.  
1.4 It is beyond the scope of this guide to optimize the water vapor transmission characteristics of WRB/AB for specific conditions of use. The specific conditions of use should account for variations in indoor and outdoor climates, cladding type, moisture storage capacity of cladding materials, thermal insulating measures for wall and roof assemblies, air movement, and vapor diffusion control strategies.  
1.5 This guide does not address proper installation and integration of WRB/AB with other wall and roof components.  
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. Within the text, the SI units shown in parentheses are provided for information only. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently. Combining values from two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard. However, derived results can be converted between systems using appropriate conversion factors (see Table 1).  
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 appr...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this test is to calculate an assigned air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials at a reference air pressure differential of 75 Pa. The results of this test may be useful in determining suitability of that material as a component of an air retarder system.  
4.2 This method does not address the installed air leakage performance of building materials. The installed performance of air retarder materials and air retarder systems in low-rise framed wall construction is addressed in Specification E1677.
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1.1 This test method is to determine the air leakage rate of building materials at various pressure differentials with the intent of calculating an assigned air permeance rate of the material at the reference pressure difference (ΔP) of 75 Pa.  
1.2 The method is intended to assess flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials using a 1 m × 1 m specimen size.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurements are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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.

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. The provisions contained in this specification are intended to allow the user to design the wall performance criteria and increase AB specifications to accommodate a particular climate location, function, or design of the intended building. This specification focuses mainly on ABs for opaque walls. Other areas of the exterior envelope, such as roofs, floors, and interfaces between these areas are not included in this specification. Also not addressed here are air leakages into the wall cavity, that is, windwashing. Additionally, the specifications in this standard are not intended to be utilized for energy load calculations and are not based on an expected level of energy consumption.
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1.1 This specification covers minimum performances and specification criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings. The intended users are purchasers of the AB, specifiers of the AB and regulatory groups. The provisions contained in this specification are intended to allow the user to design the wall performance criteria and increase AB specifications to accommodate a particular climate location, function, or design of the intended building. Air barrier performance and specification minimums were selected with the service life of the building wall in mind.  
1.2 This specification focuses on ABs for opaque walls. Other areas of the exterior envelope, such as roofs, floors, and interfaces between these areas are not included in this specification.  
1.3 This specification does not address air leakage into the wall cavity, that is, windwashing. No standardized test has been developed that adequately identifies all of the influencing factors and measures the impact of this effect on the wall's thermal performance.  
1.4 The specifications in this standard are not intended to be utilized for energy load calculations and are not based on an expected level of energy consumption.  
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Annex A1, of this specification. 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.  
1.7 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.

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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Air leakage accounts for a significant portion of the thermal space conditioning load. In addition, it affects occupant comfort and indoor air quality.  
5.2 In most commercial or industrial buildings, outdoor air is often introduced by design; however, air leakage is a significant addition to the designed outdoor airflow. In most residential buildings, indoor-outdoor air exchange is attributable primarily to air leakage through cracks and construction joints and is induced by pressure differences due to temperature differences, wind, operation of auxiliary fans (for example, kitchen and bathroom exhausts), and the operation of combustion equipment in the building.  
5.3 The fan-pressurization method is simpler than tracer gas measurements and is intended to characterize the air tightness of the building envelope. It is used to compare the relative air tightness of several similar buildings to identify the leakage sources and rates of leakage from different components of the same building envelope, and to determine the air leakage reduction for individual retrofit measures applied incrementally to an existing building, and to determine ventilation rates when combined with weather and leak location information.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method measures air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to small temperature differentials and low-wind pressure differential, therefore strong winds and large indoor-outdoor temperature differentials shall be avoided.  
1.3 This test method is intended to quantify the air tightness of a building envelope. This test method does not measure air change rate or air leakage rate under normal weather conditions and building operation.
Note 1: See Test Method E741 to directly measure air-change rates using the tracer gas dilution method.  
1.4 This test method is intended to be used for measuring the air tightness of building envelopes of single-zone buildings. For the purpose of this test method, many multi-zone buildings can be treated as single-zone buildings by opening interior doors or by inducing equal pressures in adjacent zones.  
1.5 Only metric SI units of measurement are used in this standard. If a value for measurement is followed by a value in other units in parentheses, the second value may be approximate. The first stated value is the requirement.  
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 7.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The fan pressurization procedure provides a relatively fast evaluation of the airtightness of building envelopes. In order for the accuracy of the test results to be known, the airflow rate measurement technique of the fan pressurization system must be calibrated.  
5.2 This test method is applicable to fan pressurization systems that are installed in an opening in the building envelope, as opposed to pressurization techniques involving the mechanical ventilation system of the building.  
5.3 The technique of pressurization testing of buildings puts specific requirements on the calibration of fan pressurization systems. The calibration must cover the range of fan pressure differences (approximately 12.5 to 75 Pa) that is induced during pressurization tests. The calibration must also cover a range in fan airflow rates corresponding to the range in building size and airtightness that the fan pressurization system will encounter in the field.  
5.4 The fan pressurization system must be calibrated in both directions of airflow used to pressurize and depressurize a building if the system airflow direction is reversible. These two calibrations can be conducted using the various setups described in this test method; however some of the setups can be combined such that a single calibration facility can be used to calibrate the fan in both directions. Such a single setup may involve moving the fan pressurization system from one end of the chamber to the other, reversing the orientation of the system at the same end of the chamber, or it may not require moving the system at all.  
5.5 The calibration technique is applicable to the two basic types of fan pressurization systems in use, r/min doors and signal doors.  
5.6 For fan pressurization systems that operate in multiple ranges of airflow rate, the system must be calibrated in each range.  
5.7 The calibration technique is intended to provide a complete calibration of a fan pressurization system. After calibratin...
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1.1 This test method covers the airflow measurement calibration techniques for fan pressurization systems used for measuring air leakage rates through building envelopes.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to systems used for air leakage measurement as described in Test Method E779.  
1.3 This test method involves the installation of the fan pressurization system in a calibration chamber. Use of the fan pressurization system in an actual building may introduce additional errors in the airflow measurement due to operator influence, interference of internal partitions and furnishings, weather effects, and other factors.  
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of airflow and pressure measurement.  
1.5 This standard includes two basic procedures, a preferred procedure, based on ASHRAE 51/AMCA 210, and an optional procedure based on a nonstandard airflow measurement technique, commonly used by manufacturers of fan pressurization devices, but which has not been compared with standard airflow measurement techniques.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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.  
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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Air leakage between an air distribution system and unconditioned spaces affects the energy losses from the distribution system, the ventilation rate of the building, and the entry rate of air pollutants.  
5.2 The determination of infiltration energy loads and ventilation rates of residences and small commercial buildings are typically based on the assumption that the principal driving forces for infiltration and ventilation are the wind and indoor/outdoor temperature differences. This can be an inappropriate assumption for buildings that have distribution systems that pass through unconditioned spaces, because the existence of relatively modest leakage from that system has a relatively large impact on overall ventilation rates. The air leakage characteristics of these exterior distribution systems are needed to determine their ventilation, energy, and pollutant-entry implications.  
5.3 Air leakage through the exterior air distribution envelope may be treated in the same manner as air leakage in the building envelope as long as the system is not operating (see Test Method E779). However, when the system blower is on, the pressures across the air distribution system leaks are usually significantly larger than those driving natural infiltration. Depending on the size of the leaks, these pressures can induce much larger flows than natural infiltration. Thus, it is important to be able to isolate these leaks from building envelope leaks. The leakage of air distribution systems must be measured in the field, because it has been shown that workmanship and installation details are more important than design in determining the leakage of these systems.  
5.4 For codes, standards, and other compliance or quality control applications, the precision and repeatability at meeting a specified target (for example, air flow at reference pressure) is more important than air leakage flows at operating conditions. Some existing codes, standards, and voluntary programs require ...
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1.1 The test methods included in this standard are applicable to the air distribution systems in low-rise residential and commercial buildings.  
1.2 These test methods cover four techniques for measuring the air leakage of air distribution systems. The techniques use air flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage characteristics.  
1.3 The test methods for two of the techniques also specify the auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magnitude of the distribution system air leakage during normal operation.  
1.4 A test method for the total recirculating air flow induced by the system blower is included so that the air distribution system leakage can be normalized as is often required for energy calculations.  
1.5 The proper use of these test methods requires knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.  
1.6 Three of these test methods are intended to produce a measure of the air leakage from the air distribution system to outside. The other test method measures total air leakage including air leaks to inside conditioned space.  
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.8 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.  
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Developme...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Cooking can be one of the most polluting activities commonly and regularly occurring in residential environments. Capturing airborne cooking contaminants before they can mix with the indoor air is a critical indoor air quality control method.  
5.2 Range hoods are used in homes to remove cooking-generated contaminants above cooking surfaces before they mix with air in the rest of the house. This test method is used to measure the capture efficiency under specific conditions that permit comparisons and ratings of range hoods.  
5.3 Range hoods may be manufactured and intended to operate at different flow rates or using different inserts such as filters. This test method may be used to determine capture efficiency over the range of rated air flows and operating configurations of a range hood. The rated air flows shall be listed and shall be tested in accordance with HVI Test Procedure 916, IEC 61591, ASHRAE 51/AMCA 210, or equivalent. The maximum air flow allowed for this test method is 200 L/s.
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1.1 This test method measures the capture efficiency of wall-mounted domestic range hoods under controlled conditions in a test chamber.  
1.2 This test method applies to range hoods that exhaust air to outside and does not apply to recirculating range hoods.  
1.3 This test method only applies to range hood air flows up to 200 L/s and widths up to 0.91 m (36 in.).  
1.4 This test method is intended to quantify the capture efficiency of range hoods under controlled laboratory conditions suitable for rating.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. If a value for measurement is followed by a value in other units in parentheses, the second value may be approximate. The first stated value is the requirement.  
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.  
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.

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 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.  
5.2 Single-Point Method—Use this method to provide air leakage estimates for assessing improvements in airtightness.  
5.3 Two-Point Method—Use th...
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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 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.  
1.7 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Effects of Air Change—Air change often accounts for a significant portion of the heating or air-conditioning load of a building. It also affects the moisture and contaminant balances in the building. Moisture-laden air passing through the building envelope can permit condensation and cause material degradation. An appropriate level of ventilation is required in all buildings; one should consult ASHRAE Standard 62 to determine the ventilation requirements of a building.  
5.2 Prediction of Air Change—Air change depends on the size and distribution of air leakage sites, pressure differences induced by wind and temperature, mechanical system operation, and occupant behavior. Air change may be calculated from this information, however, many of the needed parameters are difficult to determine. Tracer gas testing permits direct measurement of air change.  
5.3 Utility of Measurement—Measurements of air change provide useful information about ventilation and air leakage. Measurements in buildings with the ventilation system closed are used to determine whether natural air leakage rates are higher than specified. Measurements with the ventilation system in operation are used to determine whether the air change meets or exceeds requirements.  
5.4 Known Conditions—Knowledge of the factors that affect air change makes measurement more meaningful. Relating building response to wind and temperature requires repetition of the test under varying meteorological conditions. Relating building response to the ventilation system or to occupant behavior requires controlled variation of these factors.  
5.5 Applicability of Results—The values for air change obtained by the techniques used in this test method apply to the specific conditions prevailing at the time of the measurement. Air change values for the same building will differ if the prevailing wind and temperature conditions have changed, if the operation of the building is different, or if the envelope changes between m...
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1.1 This test method covers techniques using tracer gas dilution for determining a single zone's air change with the outdoors, as induced by weather conditions and by mechanical ventilation. These techniques are: (1) concentration decay, (2) constant injection, and (3) constant concentration.  
1.2 This test method is restricted to any single tracer gas. The associated data analysis assumes that one can characterize the tracer gas concentration within the zone with a single value. The zone shall be a building, vehicle, test cell, or any conforming enclosure.  
1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units, especially those of time.  
1.4 Determination of the contribution to air change by individual components of the zone enclosure is beyond the scope of this test method.  
1.5 The results from this test method pertain only to those conditions of weather and zonal operation that prevailed during the measurement. The use of the results from this test to predict air change under other conditions is beyond the scope of this test method.  
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of this test method.  
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.  
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 Recommend...

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...
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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.

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.
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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 and health 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended to provide the framework for characterizing the functions of the hygrothermal model and the level of sophistication used as inputs for each analysis. Hygrothermal modeling has become an important practice in support of the decision-making design processes involved in moisture management of building envelope systems. Increasingly, hygrothermal models are an integral part of building envelope performance assessment, retrofit, and restoration studies and provide insight in the screening of alternative design approaches affecting water management of the envelope system. Hygrothermal models are used in decision making during the design process of building envelope systems. They may also be used to assess performance of the envelopes of existing buildings, or to predict envelope performance in buildings undergoing retrofit, change in use, restoration or flood remediation. It is, therefore, important to have a methodology to document the model used in a hygrothermal investigation. This documentation provides needed characterization of the hygrothermal model to assess its credibility and suitability. This becomes even more important because of the increasing complexity of the building envelope systems for which new hygrothermal models are being developed. There are many different hygrothermal models available, each with specific capabilities, operational characteristics, and limitations. If modeling is considered for a project, it is important to determine if a hygrothermal model is appropriate for that project, or if a model exists that can perform the simulations required in the project.  
4.2 Quality assurance in a hygrothermal analysis using modeling is achieved by using the most appropriate model with all important transport mechanisms, initial conditions, and boundary conditions. A well-executed quality assurance program in hygrothermal modeling requires systematic and complete documentation of the model and the inputs followed by consisten...
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1.1 This guide offers guidance for the characterization and use of hygrothermal models for moisture control design of building envelopes. In this context, “hygrothermal models” refers to the application of a mathematical model to the solution of a specific heat and moisture flow performance issue or problem. Hygrothermal models are used to predict and evaluate design considerations for the short-term and long-term thermal and moisture performance of building envelopes.  
1.2 Each hygrothermal model has specific capabilities and limitations. Determining the most appropriate hygrothermal model for a particular application requires a thorough analysis of the problem at hand, understanding the required transport processes involved, and available resources to conduct the analysis. Users of this guide can describe the functionality of the hygrothermal model used in an analysis in a consistent manner.  
1.3 This guide applies to hygrothermal models that range from complex research tools to simple design tools. This guide provides a protocol for matching the analysis needs and the capabilities of candidate models.  
1.4 This guide applies to the use of models that include all or part of the following thermal and moisture storage and transport phenomena: (1) heat storage of dry and wet building materials, (2) heat transport by moisture-dependant thermal conduction, (3) phase change phenomena (for example, evaporation and condensation), (4) heat transport by air convection, (5) moisture retention by vapor adsorption and capillary forces, (6) moisture transport by vapor diffusion (molecular and effusion), (7) moisture transport by liquid transport (surface diffusion and capillary flow), and (8) moisture (vapor) transport by air convection.  
1.5 This guide does not apply to cases requiring analysis of the following: (1) convection that occurs in a three-dimensional manner or through holes and cracks; (2) hydraulic, osmotic, or ...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Residential duct systems are often field designed and assembled. There are many joints, often of dissimilar materials that require both mechanical connection and air sealing. Without this sealing, duct systems would be extremely leaky and hence inefficient. While some duct sealants are rated on their properties at the time of manufacture or during storage, none of these ratings adequately addresses the in-service lifetime. This test method has been developed to address this durability issue.  
5.2 This standard applies to products which list duct sealing as one of their uses. This includes duct tape (cloth, metal foil, or plastic backed), mastics, and sprayed/aerosol sealants. It does not apply to caulks or plaster patches that are not intended to be permanent duct sealing methods.  
5.3 The standard duct leak site is a collar to plenum connection for round duct that is 10 to 20 cm [4 to 8 in.] in diameter. This perpendicular connection was chosen because almost all residential duct systems have this type of connection and in field observations of duct systems, it is often this type of connection that has sealant failure.
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1.1 This test method describes an accelerated aging test for evaluating the durability of duct sealants by exposure to temperatures and static pressures characteristic of residential duct systems.  
1.2 This test method is intended to produce a relative measure of the durability of duct sealants. This standard does not measure durability under specific conditions of weather and building operation that might be experienced by an individual building and duct system. Instead it evaluates the sealant method under fixed conditions that do not include the manifold effects of installation practice.  
1.3 This test method only addresses sealants not mechanical strength of the connections.  
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Moisture degradation is frequently a significant factor that either limits the useful life of a building or necessitates costly repairs. Examples of moisture degradation include: (1) decay of wood-based materials, (2) spalling of masonry caused by freeze-thaw cycles, (3) damage to gypsum plasters by dissolution, (4) corrosion of metals, (5) damage due to expansion of materials or components (by swelling due to moisture pickup, or by expansion due to corrosion, hydration, or delayed ettringite formation), (6) spalling and degradation caused by salt migration, (7) failure of finishes, and (8) creep deformation and reduction in strength or stiffness.  
4.1.1 Moisture accumulation within construction components or constructions may adversely affect serviceability of a building, without necessarily causing immediate and serious degradation of the construction components. Examples of such serviceability issues are: (1) indoor air quality, (2) electrical safety, (3) degradation of thermal performance of insulations, and (4) decline in physical appearance. Mold or mildew growth can influence indoor air quality and physical appearance. With some components, in particular interior surface finishes, mold or mildew growth may limit service life of the component. Moisture conditions that affect serviceability issues can frequently be expected, unless corrected, to eventually result in degradation of the building or its components. This guide does not attempt however to address serviceability issues that could be corrected by cleaning and change in building operation, and that would not require repair or replacement of components to return the building (or portions or components of the building) to serviceability.  
4.2 Prevention of water-induced damage must be considered throughout the construction process including the various stages of the design process, construction, and building commissioning. It must also be considered in building operation and maintenance, and when...
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1.1 This guide covers building design, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.  
1.2 This guide addresses the need for systematic evaluation of factors that can result in moisture-induced damage to a building or its components. Although of great potential importance, serviceability issues which are often, but not necessarily, related to physical damage of the building or its components (for example, indoor air quality or electrical safety) are not directly addressed in this guide.  
1.3 The emphasis of this guide is on low-rise buildings. Portions of this guide; in particular Sections 5, 6, and 7; may also be applicable to high-rise buildings.  
1.4 This guide is not intended for direct use in codes and specifications. It does not attempt to prescribe acceptable limits of damage. Buildings intended for different uses may have different service life expectancies, and expected service lives of different components within a given building often differ. Furthermore, some building owners may be satisfied with substantially shorter service life expectancies of building components or of the entire building than other building owners. Lastly, the level of damage that renders a component unserviceable may vary with the type of component, the degree to which failure of the component is critical (for example, whether failure constitutes a life-safety hazard), and the judgement (that is, tolerance for damage) of the building owner. For the reasons stated in this paragraph, prescribing limits of damage would require listing many pages of exceptions and qualifiers and is beyond the scope of this guide.  
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns associated with its use. It...

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Air leakage between an air distribution system and unconditioned spaces affects the energy losses from the distribution system, the ventilation rate of the building, and the entry rate of air pollutants.  
5.2 The determination of infiltration energy loads and ventilation rates of residences and small commercial buildings are typically based on the assumption that the principal driving forces for infiltration and ventilation are the wind and indoor/outdoor temperature differences. This can be an inappropriate assumption for buildings that have distribution systems that pass through unconditioned spaces, because the existence of relatively modest leakage from that system has a relatively large impact on overall ventilation rates. The air leakage characteristics of these exterior distribution systems are needed to determine their ventilation, energy, and pollutant-entry implications.  
5.3 Air leakage through the exterior air distribution envelope may be treated in the same manner as air leakage in the building envelope as long as the system is not operating (see Test Method E779). However, when the system blower is on, the pressures across the air distribution system leaks are usually significantly larger than those driving natural infiltration. Depending on the size of the leaks, these pressures can induce much larger flows than natural infiltration. Thus, it is important to be able to isolate these leaks from building envelope leaks. The leakage of air distribution systems must be measured in the field, because it has been shown that workmanship and installation details are more important than design in determining the leakage of these systems.  
5.4 For codes, standards, and other compliance or quality control applications, the precision and repeatability at meeting a specified target (for example, air flow at reference pressure) is more important than air leakage flows at operating conditions. Some existing codes, standards, and voluntary programs require...
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1.1 The test methods included in this standard are applicable to the air distribution systems in low-rise residential and commercial buildings.  
1.2 These test methods cover four techniques for measuring the air leakage of air distribution systems. The techniques use air flow and pressure measurements to determine the leakage characteristics.  
1.3 The test methods for two of the techniques also specify the auxiliary measurements needed to characterize the magnitude of the distribution system air leakage during normal operation.  
1.4 A test method for the total recirculating air flow induced by the system blower is included so that the air distribution system leakage can be normalized as is often required for energy calculations.  
1.5 The proper use of these test methods requires knowledge of the principles of air flow and pressure measurements.  
1.6 Three of these test methods are intended to produce a measure of the air leakage from the air distribution system to outside. The other test method measures total air leakage including air leaks to inside conditioned space.  
1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The purpose of the methods, systems, and designs described in this practice is to reduce radiation exposures for occupants of residential buildings caused by radon and its progeny. The goal of mitigation is to maintain reduced radon concentrations in occupiable areas of buildings at levels as low as reasonably achievable. This practice includes sections on reducing radiation exposure caused by radon and its progeny for workers who install and repair radon mitigation systems. The goal for workers is to reduce exposures to radon and its progeny to levels as low as reasonably achievable.  
5.2 The methods, systems, designs, and materials described here have been shown to have a high probability of success in mitigating radon in attached and detached residential buildings, three stories or less in height (see EPA, “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses, Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active Soil Depressurization Systems”). Application of these methods does not, however, guarantee reduction of radon levels below any specific level, since performance will vary with site conditions, construction characteristics, weather, and building operation.  
5.3 When applying this practice, contractors also shall conform to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, and laws pertaining to residential building construction, remodeling, and improvement.
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1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use by trained, certified or licensed, or both, or otherwise qualified individuals.  
1.2 These methods are based on radon mitigation techniques that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More detailed information is contained in references cited throughout this practice.  
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofitting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation systems.  
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to currently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings, including buildings converted or being converted to residential use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed by addition(s) or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction activities performed on new dwellings, while under construction, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy, are covered by Guide E1465.  
1.5 This practice also is intended as a model set of practices, which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdictions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation performed in accordance with this practice is considered ordinary repair.  
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the following categories of contractor activity: general practices, building investigation, systems design, systems installation, materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and documentation.  
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for specific safety hazards.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this test is to measure the air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials. The results of this test may be useful in determining suitability of that material as a component of an air retarder system.  
4.2 This method does not address the installed air leakage performance of building materials. The installed performance of air retarder materials and air retarder systems in low-rise framed wall construction is addressed in Specification E1677.
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1.1 This test method is to determine the air permeance of building materials at various pressure differentials with the intent of determining an assigned air permeance rate of the material at the reference pressure difference (ΔP) of 75 Pa.  
1.2 The method is intended to assess flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials using a 1 m × 1 m specimen size.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurements are included in this standard.  
1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The fan pressurization procedure provides a relatively fast evaluation of the airtightness of building envelopes. In order for the accuracy of the test results to be known, the airflow rate measurement technique of the fan pressurization system must be calibrated.  
5.2 This test method is applicable to fan pressurization systems that are installed in an opening in the building envelope, as opposed to pressurization techniques involving the mechanical ventilation system of the building.  
5.3 The technique of pressurization testing of buildings puts specific requirements on the calibration of fan pressurization systems. The calibration must cover the range of fan pressure differences (approximately 12.5 to 75 Pa) that is induced during pressurization tests. The calibration must also cover a range in fan airflow rates corresponding to the range in building size and airtightness that the fan pressurization system will encounter in the field.  
5.4 The fan pressurization system must be calibrated in both directions of airflow used to pressurize and depressurize a building if the system airflow direction is reversible. These two calibrations can be conducted using the various setups described in this test method; however some of the setups can be combined such that a single calibration facility can be used to calibrate the fan in both directions. Such a single setup may involve moving the fan pressurization system from one end of the chamber to the other, reversing the orientation of the system at the same end of the chamber, or it may not require moving the system at all.  
5.5 The calibration technique is applicable to the two basic types of fan pressurization systems in use, r/min doors and signal doors.  
5.6 For fan pressurization systems that operate in multiple ranges of airflow rate, the system must be calibrated in each range.  
5.7 The calibration technique is intended to provide a complete calibration of a fan pressurization system. After cali...
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1.1 This test method covers the airflow measurement calibration techniques for fan pressurization systems used for measuring air leakage rates through building envelopes.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to systems used for air leakage measurement as described in Practice E779.  
1.3 This test method involves the installation of the fan pressurization system in a calibration chamber. Use of the fan pressurization system in an actual building may introduce additional errors in the airflow measurement due to operator influence, interference of internal partitions and furnishings, weather effects, and other factors.  
1.4 The proper use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of airflow and pressure measurement.  
1.5 This standard includes two basic procedures, a preferred procedure, based on ASHRAE 51/AMCA 210, and an optional procedure based on a nonstandard airflow measurement technique, commonly used by manufacturers of fan pressurization devices, but which has not been compared with standard airflow measurement techniques.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The purpose of the methods, systems, and designs described in this practice is to reduce radiation exposures for occupants of residential buildings caused by radon and its progeny. The goal of mitigation is to maintain reduced radon concentrations in occupiable areas of buildings at levels as low as reasonably achievable. This practice includes sections on reducing radiation exposure caused by radon and its progeny for workers who install and repair radon mitigation systems. The goal for workers is to reduce exposures to radon and its progeny to levels as low as reasonably achievable.
The methods, systems, designs, and materials described here have been shown to have a high probability of success in mitigating radon in attached and detached residential buildings, three stories or less in height (see EPA, “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses, Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active Soil Depressurization Systems”). Application of these methods does not, however, guarantee reduction of radon levels below any specific level, since performance will vary with site conditions, construction characteristics, weather, and building operation.
When applying this practice, contractors also shall conform to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, and laws pertaining to residential building construction, remodeling, and improvement.
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1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use by trained, certified or licensed, or both, or otherwise qualified individuals.
1.2 These methods are based on radon mitigation techniques that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More detailed information is contained in references cited throughout this practice.
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofitting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation systems.
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to currently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings, including buildings converted or being converted to residential use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed by addition(s) or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction activities performed on new dwellings, while under construction, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy, are covered by Guide E1465.  
1.5 This practice also is intended as a model set of practices, which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdictions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation performed in accordance with this practice is considered ordinary repair.
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the following categories of contractor activity: general practices, building investigation, systems design, systems installation, materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and documentation.
1.7 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.8 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for specific safety hazards.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The purpose of this test is to measure the air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials. The results of this test may be useful in determining suitability of that material as a component of an air retarder system.
This method does not address the installed air leakage performance of building materials. The installed performance of air retarder materials and air retarder systems in low-rise framed wall construction is addressed in Specification E1677.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is to determine the air permeance of building materials at various pressure differentials with the intent of determining an assigned air permeance rate of the material at the reference pressure difference (ΔP) of 75 Pa.
1.2 The method is intended to assess flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials using a 1 m × 1 m specimen size.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurements are included in this standard.
1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The purpose of the methods, systems, and designs described in this practice is to reduce radiation exposures for occupants of residential buildings caused by radon and its progeny. The goal of mitigation is to maintain reduced radon concentrations in occupiable areas of buildings at levels as low as reasonably achievable. This practice includes sections on reducing radiation exposure caused by radon and its progeny for workers who install and repair radon mitigation systems. The goal for workers is to reduce exposures to radon and its progeny to levels as low as reasonably achievable.
The methods, systems, designs, and materials described here have been shown to have a high probability of success in mitigating radon in attached and detached residential buildings, three stories or less in height (see EPA, “Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses, Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active Soil Depressurization Systems”). Application of these methods does not, however, guarantee reduction of radon levels below any specific level, since performance will vary with site conditions, construction characteristics, weather, and building operation.
When applying this practice, contractors also shall conform to all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, and laws pertaining to residential building construction, remodeling, and improvement.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes methods for reducing radon entry into existing attached and detached residential buildings three stories or less in height. This practice is intended for use by trained, certified or licensed, or both, or otherwise qualified individuals.
1.2 These methods are based on radon mitigation techniques that have been effective in reducing radon levels in a wide range of residential buildings and soil conditions. These fan powered mitigation methods are listed in Appendix X1. More detailed information is contained in references cited throughout this practice.
1.3 This practice is intended to provide radon mitigation contractors with a uniform set of practices that will ensure a high degree of safety and the likelihood of success in retrofitting low rise residential buildings with radon mitigation systems.
1.4 The methods described in this practice apply to currently occupied or formerly occupied residential buildings, including buildings converted or being converted to residential use, as well as residential buildings changed or being changed by addition(s) or alteration(s), or both. The radon reduction activities performed on new dwellings, while under construction, before occupancy, and for up to one year after occupancy, are covered by Guide E1465.  
1.5 This practice also is intended as a model set of practices, which can be adopted or modified by state and local jurisdictions, to fulfill objectives of their specific radon contractor certification or licensure programs. Radon mitigation performed in accordance with this practice is considered ordinary repair.
1.6 The methods addressed in this practice include the following categories of contractor activity: general practices, building investigation, systems design, systems installation, materials, monitors and labeling, post-mitigation testing, and documentation.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for specific safety hazards.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
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.
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.
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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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Effects of Air Change—Air change often accounts for a significant portion of the heating or air-conditioning load of a building. It also affects the moisture and contaminant balances in the building. Moisture-laden air passing through the building envelope can permit condensation and cause material degradation. An appropriate level of ventilation is required in all buildings; one should consult ASHRAE Standard 62 to determine the ventilation requirements of a building.
Prediction of Air Change—Air change depends on the size and distribution of air leakage sites, pressure differences induced by wind and temperature, mechanical system operation, and occupant behavior. Air change may be calculated from this information, however, many of the needed parameters are difficult to determine. Tracer gas testing permits direct measurement of air change.
Utility of Measurement—Measurements of air change provide useful information about ventilation and air leakage. Measurements in buildings with the ventilation system closed are used to determine whether natural air leakage rates are higher than specified. Measurements with the ventilation system in operation are used to determine whether the air change meets or exceeds requirements.
Known Conditions—Knowledge of the factors that affect air change makes measurement more meaningful. Relating building response to wind and temperature requires repetition of the test under varying meteorological conditions. Relating building response to the ventilation system or to occupant behavior requires controlled variation of these factors.
Applicability of Results—The values for air change obtained by the techniques used in this test method apply to the specific conditions prevailing at the time of the measurement. Air change values for the same building will differ if the prevailing wind and temperature conditions have changed, if the operation of the building is different, or if the envelope changes between measurements because of c...
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1.1 This test method covers techniques using tracer gas dilution for determining a single zone's air change with the outdoors, as induced by weather conditions and by mechanical ventilation. These techniques are: (1) concentration decay, (2) constant injection, and (3) constant concentration.  
1.2 This test method is restricted to any single tracer gas. The associated data analysis assumes that one can characterize the tracer gas concentration within the zone with a single value. The zone shall be a building, vehicle, test cell, or any conforming enclosure.
1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units, especially those of time.  
1.4 Determination of the contribution to air change by individual components of the zone enclosure is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.5 The results from this test method pertain only to those conditions of weather and zonal operation that prevailed during the measurement. The use of the results from this test to predict air change under other conditions is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.6 The text of this test method references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of this test method.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The method presented here is a field method that may be used to determine mass and volume flow rates in ducts where flow conditions may be irregular and nonuniform. The gas flowing in the duct is considered to be an ideal gas. The method may be especially useful in those locations where conventional pitot tube or thermal anemometer velocity measurements are difficult or inappropriate due either to very low average flow velocity or the lack of a suitable run of duct upstream and downstream of the measurement location.
This test method can produce the volumetric flow rate at standard conditions without the need to determine gas stream composition, temperature, and water vapor content.
This test method is useful for determining mass or volumetric flow rates in HVAC ducts, fume hoods, vent stacks, and mine tunnels, as well as in performing model studies of pollution control devices.
This test method is based on first principles (conservation of mass) and does not require engineering assumptions.
This test method does not require the measurement of the area of the duct or stack.
The test method does not require flow straightening.
The test method is independent of flow conditions, such as angle, swirl, turbulence, reversals, and hence, does not require flow straightening.
The dry volumetric airflow can be determined by drying the air samples without measuring the water vapor concentration.
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1.1 This test method describes the measurement of the volumetric and mass flow rate of a gas stream within a duct, stack, pipe, mine tunnel, or flue using a tracer gas dilution technique. For editorial convenience all references in the text will be to a duct, but it should be understood that this could refer equally well to a stack, pipe, mine tunnel, or flue. This test method is limited to those applications where the gas stream and the tracer gas can be treated as ideal gases at the conditions of the measurement. In this test method, the gas stream will be referred as air, though it could be any another gas that exhibits ideal gas law behavior.
1.2 This test method is not restricted to any particular tracer gas although experimental experience has shown that certain gases are used more readily than others as suitable tracer gases. It is preferable that the tracer gas not be a natural component of the gas stream.
1.3 Use of this test method requires a knowledge of the principles of gas analysis and instrumentation. Correct use of the formulas presented here requires consistent use of units.
1.4 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 and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 7.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Although a number of different methods have been used to assess backdrafting and spillage (see NFPA 54, CAN/CGSB-51.71, and 1-4) a single well-accepted method is not yet available. At this point, different methods can yield different results. In addition, advantages and drawbacks of different methods have not been evaluated or described.
To provide a consistent basis for selection of methods, this guide summarizes different methods available to assess backdrafting and spillage. Advantages and limitations of each method are addressed.
One or more of the methods described in this guide should be performed when backdrafting or spillage from vented combustion appliances is suspected to be the cause of a potential problem such as elevated carbon monoxide (CO) levels or excessive moisture.
The following are examples of specific conditions under which such methods could be performed:
When debris or soot is evident at the draft hood, indicating that backdrafting may have occurred in the past,
When a new or replacement combustion appliance is added to a residence,
When a new or replacement exhaust device or system, such as a downdraft range exhaust fan, a fireplace, or a fan-powered radon mitigation system, is added,
When a residence is being remodeled or otherwise altered to increase energy efficiency, as with various types of weatherization programs, and  
When a CO alarm device has alarmed and a combustion appliance is one of the suspected causes of the alarm.
Depending on the nature of the test(s) conducted and the test results, certain preventive or remedial actions may need to be taken. The following are examples:
If any of the short-term tests indicates a potential for backdrafting, and particularly if more than one test indicates such potential, then the appliance and venting system should be further tested by a qualified technician, or remedial actions could be taken in accordance with 5.5.3.
If continuous monitoring indicates that backdrafting ...
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1.1 This guide describes and compares different methods for assessing the potential for, or existence of, depressurization-induced backdrafting and spillage from vented residential combustion appliances.
1.2 Assessment of depressurization-induced backdrafting and spillage is conducted under either induced depressurization or natural conditions.
1.3 Residential vented combustion appliances addressed in this guide include hot water heaters and furnace. The guide also is applicable to boilers.
1.4 The methods given in this guide are applicable to Category I (draft-hood- and induced-fan-equipped) furnaces. The guide does not apply to Category III (power-vent-equipped) or Category IV (direct-vent) furnaces.
1.5 The methods in this guide are not intended to identify backdrafting or spillage due to vent blockage or heat-exchanger leakage.
1.6 This guide is not intended to provide a basis for determining compliance with code requirements on appliance and venting installation, but does include a visual assessment of the installation. This assessment may indicate the need for a thorough inspection by a qualified technician.
1.7 Users of the methods in this guide should be familiar with combustion appliance operation and with making house-tightness measurements using a blower door. Some methods described in this guide require familiarity with differential-pressure measurements and use of computer-based data-logging equipment.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.9 This guide does not purport to address all safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Carbon monoxide (CO) exposure or flame roll-out may occur when performing certain procedures given in this gui...

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. The provisions contained in this specification are intended to allow the user to design the wall performance criteria and increase AB specifications to accommodate a particular climate location, function, or design of the intended building. This specification focuses mainly on ABs for opaque walls. Other areas of the exterior envelope, such as roofs, floors, and interfaces between these areas are not included in this specification. Also not addressed here are air leakages into the wall cavity, that is, windwashing. Additionally, the specifications in this standard are not intended to be utilized for energy load calculations and are not based on an expected level of energy consumption.
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1.1 This specification covers minimum performances and specification criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings. The intended users are purchasers of the AB, specifiers of the AB and regulatory groups. The provisions contained in this specification are intended to allow the user to design the wall performance criteria and increase AB specifications to accommodate a particular climate location, function, or design of the intended building. Air barrier performance and specification minimums were selected with the service life of the building wall in mind.
1.2 This specification focuses on ABs for opaque walls. Other areas of the exterior envelope, such as roofs, floors, and interfaces between these areas are not included in this specification.
1.3 This specification does not address air leakage into the wall cavity, that is, windwashing. No standardized test has been developed that adequately identifies all of the influencing factors and measures the impact of this effect on the wall's thermal performance.
1.4 The specifications in this standard are not intended to be utilized for energy load calculations and are not based on an expected level of energy consumption.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Annex A1, of this specification. 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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 Practice 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.
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 Methods E741 measure natural air exchange rates using tracer gas dilution techniques.
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.
Single-Point Method—Use this method to provide air leakage estimates for assessing improvements in airtightness.
Two-Point Method—Use this method to provide air lea...
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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 Methods 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 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Residential duct systems are often field designed and assembled. There are many joints, often of dissimilar materials that require both mechanical connection and air sealing. Without this sealing, duct systems would be extremely leaky and hence inefficient. While some duct sealants are rated on their properties at the time of manufacture or during storage, none of these ratings adequately addresses the in-service lifetime. This test method has been developed to address this durability issue.
This standard applies to products which list duct sealing as one of their uses. This includes duct tape (cloth, metal foil, or plastic backed), mastics, and sprayed/aerosol sealants. It does not apply to caulks or plaster patches that are not intended to be permanent duct sealing methods.
The standard duct leak site is a collar to plenum connection for round duct that is 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in.) in diameter. This perpendicular connection was chosen because almost all residential duct systems have this type of connection and in field observations of duct systems, it is often this type of connection that has sealant failure.
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1.1 This test method describes an accelerated aging test for evaluating the durability of duct sealants by exposure to temperatures and static pressures characteristic of residential duct systems.
1.2 This test method is intended to produce a relative measure of the durability of duct sealants. This standard does not measure durability under specific conditions of weather and building operation that might be experienced by an individual building and duct system. Instead it evaluates the sealant method under fixed conditions that do not include the manifold effects of installation practice.
1.3 This test method only addresses sealants not mechanical strength of the connections.
1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Air leakage accounts for a significant portion of the thermal space conditioning load. In addition, it affects occupant comfort and indoor air quality.
In most commercial or industrial buildings, outdoor air is often introduced by design; however, air leakage is a significant addition to the designed outdoor airflow. In most residential buildings, indoor-outdoor air exchange is attributable primarily to air leakage through cracks and construction joints and is induced by pressure differences due to temperature differences, wind, operation of auxiliary fans (for example, kitchen and bathroom exhausts), and the operation of combustion equipment in the building.
The fan-pressurization method is simpler than tracer gas measurements and is intended to characterize the air tightness of the building envelope. It is used to compare the relative air tightness of several similar buildings to identify the leakage sources and rates of leakage from different components of the same building envelope, and to determine the air leakage reduction for individual retrofit measures applied incrementally to an existing building, and to determine ventilation rates when combined with weather and leak location information.
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1.1 This test method measures air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization.
1.2 This test method is applicable to small temperature differentials and low-wind pressure differential, therefore strong winds and large indoor-outdoor temperature differentials shall be avoided.
1.3 This test method is intended to quantify the air tightness of a building envelope. This test method does not measure air change rate or air leakage rate under normal weather conditions and building operation.
Note 1—See Test Method E741 to directly measure air-change rates using the tracer gas dilution method  
1.4 This test method is intended to be used for measuring the air tightness of building envelopes of single-zone buildings. For the purpose of this test method, many multi-zone buildings can be treated as single-zone buildings by opening interior doors or by inducing equal pressures in adjacent zones.
1.5 Only metric SI units of measurement are used in this standard. If a value for measurement is followed by a value in other units in parentheses, the second value may be approximate. The first stated value is the requirement.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 7.