In recent years, there has been a significant increase in demand for better regulations in the built environment including sustainable construction. These demands result from the global pandemic, increased environmental awareness, and modern tragedies such as the Grenfell Fire in the UK. In response, there have been several developments in certification standards and their requirements, such as Passive House. Built environment testing and airtightness play a crucial role in this.
Airtightness is important for many reasons, including reducing heat loss, improving comfort and ensuring better ventilation in buildings, hospitals wards, rooms or compartments. Airtightness integrity refers to the efficacy of a building at preventing unwanted air flow through unsealed and porous areas such as gaps and cracks within the buildings’ structure. These air leakages can lead to energy loss which has a negative environmental impact and can lead to increased energy costs for the occupants.
Consequently, integrity testing has become a critical step in modern construction. Built environment testing provides builders, architects, and property developers with the assurance that new buildings meet stringent environmental performance requirements and align with global sustainability goals.
The Portascanner® AIRTIGHT
At Coltraco Ultrasonics we develop technologies to solve seemingly impossible challenges. One of these challenges was the location and quantification of airflow for which we developed the Portascanner® AIRTIGHT.
This is the first time that one instrument can:
- Identify leak sites with a microscopic level of accuracy
- Measure and quantify them using sophisticated algorithms
- Generate a value for the air flow rate through each leak site
- Calculate the room or building’s overall air permeability
- Store photographic and quantitative data to generate traceable, exportable reports
Case Studies
Exclusive Distributor, Innotec Hong Kong, tested the Portascanner® AIRTIGHT at a pre-fabricated negative pressurised ward room, which was used during the COVID19 pandemic to facilitate patients infected with SARS-COV19.
The Innotec team used the Portascanner® AIRTIGHT to quantify leak sites, to ensure that the negative pressurisation system works effectively, to stop the spread of COVID19 from isolated patients.
Leak points were found within the doors in the negatively pressurised ward room.
The trial at a Passivhaus in Manchester demonstrated the many benefits of the ‘world first’ globally unique Portascanner® AIRTIGHT.
During the testing, the Portascanner® AIRTIGHT performed outstandingly, identifying several leaks in the front door and external window of the semi-detached building, despite this having previously passed a preliminary Door Fan Blower Test.
Those at the trial confidently identified several air leaks in the frame of the front door itself and in the wall around the door.
Fire, smoke and toxic gases will travel through any gap, and it is vital to frequently check Fire Doors for airtightness.
The regulations and requirements for airtightness are varied from one application to another, often with significant differences. As such, there is not one steadfast rule that applies to all circumstances making it important for testing solutions to be as adaptable as possible.
Outlined below are some key certifications and standards that require airtightness testing:
- National Building Standards – Most countries have national building standards that will include requirements for airtightness. Additionally, in the EU you must meet the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). This includes airtightness requirements designed to reduce the environment impact of energy inefficiency in buildings.
- Green Building, Sustainability, and Energy Efficiency Certifications – Notable examples include Passive House, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
- Industrial and Commercial Standards – Certain industrial and commercial buildings will have distinct requirements for their specific use or industry. For example, clean rooms will have a different airtightness standard than an office building.
- Insurance Risk and Compliance – FM Global Standards have airtightness testing as a method for ensuring a building’s resilience to the environment.
Consequently, airtightness integrity testing is crucial across the built environment and integral to numerous certifications and standards. Ensuring these standards are met is vital to achieving high-performance in your buildings.
