b"CASE STUDYTHE IMPACT OF TEST PREPARATION ON WHOLE BUILDING AIRTIGHTNESS TEST: A case study of a residential buildingBy Ali Vaseghi, P.Eng. and Chad Cranswick, P.Eng. O ne key factor affectingcommissioning plan. an air barrier commissioning plan to implementing an appropriate air barrier buildings interior envi- help ensure compliance with the final ronment is the infiltra- It's worth noting that air barrierairtightness targets. The building has tion of air through theira specified airtightness target of 1.25 exterior enclosure. Oncommissioning (including testing) isL/s/m 2 at 75 Pa. This target was set to average, air infiltration cana relatively recent development in theensure adherence to the energy perfor-contribute about 33 per cent of heatingNorth American construction sector,mance criteria specified in Step 2 of the requirements in buildings (Emmerichand there are still numerous unexploredEnergy Step Code in the 2018 British et al., 2015). Air leakage can also haveaspects and challenges to contend with.Columbia Building Code.adverse effects on indoor air quality andThis field is in a constant state of evolu-can contribute to uncontrolled conden- tion, demanding further research andThe wall air barrier consists of a sealed innovations to comprehensively grasp sation. When the building enclosuresix mil polyethylene sheet on the and surmount the existing obstacles. interior and a permeable self-adhered does not provide appropriate airtight-ness, there can be a notable influx ofmembrane on the exterior. The roof air air from outside, resulting in increasedThis article features a case study thatbarrier comprises an impermeable self-levels of CO2, formaldehyde, radon,focuses on the final stages of an airadhered membrane. The floor air volatile organic compounds and finebarrier commissioning plan, particularlybarrier is the concrete slab above the particles (Grot et al., 1991). Anotheron the whole building airtightness test parking garage.issue associated with unintended airat building completion of a multi-unit leakage is the potential for condensa- residential building. The test preparation was conducted as tion to occur at supply air diffusers, airper ASTM E779. The HVAC system ducts, chilled water piping, air handlingThe case building is a new five-storeywas deactivated, exhaust and intake units, interior finishes and structuralwood frame structure over a concretefans were turned off, HVAC air systems elements (Thirakomen, 2007). Theseparking garage foundation. Thewere shut down and sealed from inside, potential risks underscore the signifi- building is located in Port Coquitlam,plumbing traps were filled with water cance of enhancing the airtightnessBritish Columbia. The new construc- and exterior doors and windows were of building envelope components bytion of the building implementedsecurely closed and latched (Figure 1). FIGURE 1. BUILDING PREPARATION.18 BCBEC ELEMENTSA BCBEC PUBLICATION"