Big Air‐Building Air Barrier Testing

Track 2: Construction & Testing Sessions

Wednesday, May 9, 10:00 – 11:30

This presentation will cover specifics of defining and performing diagnostic air barrier testing on large building. What is a whole building air barrier test? How does this differ from testing small building? When should zonal testing be specified? Some of the equipment that is used to complete and air barrier test. What is the goal of different types of testing from quantitative to qualitative testing. Discussion of standards being tested to along with discussion of the ABAA standard. What common building defects we consistently see will be discussed. Attendees will know why to test, idea of what a test may look like, and where common failings of the air barrier are.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Participants will be able to select from the standards available to decide which standard to use for their upcoming air barrier project.
  2. Participants will be able to discuss the planning process that goes into an air barrier test to ensure correct testing design on their next project.
  3. Participants will be able to differentiate and compare equipment used for testing and where certain types of equipment for testing are suited.
  4. Attendees will be able to identify key areas of concern in their next building design through visuals of found errors to ensure constructing a building that is air tight.
Level of content:
Intermediate
100%
Audience:
Design
0%
Construction & Testing
100%

Torrance Kramer, CEM, BECxP, LEED, BPI Building Analyst, BPI Multifamily Building Analyst

President
Accurate‐Airtight Exteriors

Torrance Kramer has been passionately working to reduce energy consumption of buildings across the country for over a decade. He has completed comprehensive energy audits and onsite assessments on everything from single family homes, multi-story high rises, grocery stores, municipal, ice arenas, and everything in between. He began testing building air barriers after observing the lack of understanding and recognition of the necessity for an effective air barrier in the older building stock. This led to testing buildings small to large across the country. He now operates a firm that tests, repairs, and consults on proper air and thermal barriers of buildings of all sizes. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Building Envelope Commissioning Professional, Building Analyst, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design professional.