Building Envelope Testing
Envelope Commissioning and Envelope Assessment
The 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 is like a protective shell for a building, separating the inside from the outside. It includes walls, roofs, windows, and doors, all working together to keep the building safe and comfortable.
Building envelope testing is crucial for a building's overall energy efficiency because it identifies and addresses air leaks, insulation gaps, and other weaknesses in the building's exterior. These defects can lead to significant energy loss, causing heating or cooling systems to work harder, thus increasing energy consumption and costs. By ensuring the building envelope is airtight and properly insulated, energy efficiency improves, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling, lowering utility bills, and minimizing the building's environmental impact.
Additionally, effective envelope testing helps maintain indoor air quality, ensures occupant comfort, and supports sustainability goals by contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Airtightness Testing - Blowerdoor Test
The building envelope is a very complex system. Airtightness testing plays a crucial role in achieving energy-efficient, sustainable, and comfortable buildings. The lack of an airtight building envelope would eventually increase the demand for energy to “cool” the building. Warm external air entering the building greatly affects the moisture levels inside the building, which directly influences the indoor air quality. That may lead to condensation issues and mold build-up
Also known as blower door testing, plays a critical role in building envelope commissioning and assessment by measuring the integrity of a building's air barrier system. It helps identify air leakage points, ensuring that the building envelope effectively controls air infiltration and exfiltration, which directly impacts energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and occupant comfort. This testing is vital for verifying compliance with energy codes, improving HVAC system performance, and ensuring that the building meets sustainability goals. By pinpointing weaknesses, airtightness testing supports the development of solutions to enhance overall building performance and longevity.
Testing Standards & Regulations
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MOSTADAM - D+C and O+E
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LEED IEQp2 Environmental for ETS (tobacco smoke control)
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ASTM E-779-10
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ATTMA TSL1 – TSL4
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ISO 9972 (EN13829)
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CIBSE TM-23
Water Tightness Testing - Hose Test
A specific method used to assess the water tightness and workmanship of doors, windows, and wide glass surfaces designed to remain permanently closed, such as storefronts, curtain walls, and sloped glazing systems. The test is performed using a hose fitted with a nozzle that sprays water at a set of pressure and flow rates over a length of joint for a specific time.
Testing Standards & Regulations
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MOSTADAM - D+C and O+E
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AAMA 501.2
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CWCT TN 41
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ASTM E2128-17
Thermography Testing
Thermography is an often applied technique when examining energy performance in buildings, for instance by checking insulation levels, thermal bridging, air leakages, moisture leakages, and internal condensation issues.
Thermography can be used for existing buildings (such as hotels with mold issues) or new buildings allowing building professionals to evaluate the performance of the envelope in real time, ensuring energy efficiency, structural integrity, and compliance with performance standards.
Testing Standards & Regulations
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MOSTADAM - D+C and O+E
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EN 13187
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ISO 18434
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ASTM E1186
