building Forensics

Blower door test is a diagnostic procedure used to measure the airtightness of a building. It involves temporarily sealing off all the openings in the building, such as windows, doors, vents, and flues, and the creating a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the building using a specialized fan known as a blower door. The blower door consists of a frame with a powerful fan and a pressure-sensing device "Monometer" It is typically installed in an exterior doorway of the building. The fan is used to either blow air into the building or extract air out of it, creating a controlled pressure difference. During the blower door test, the building is depressurized or pressurized to a standardized pressure difference, usually 50 Pascals {Pa}, which is roughly equivalent to 20 mph wind blowing on all sides of the building. The pressure difference is maintained by the blower door fan, this brings the building into a lab like control.

As the fan operates, it either blows air into the building or extracts air from building, depending on the test configuration. This causes air to flow through any openings or leaks in the building shell. the airflow required to maintain the pressure difference is measured and recorded by the monometer.

The blower door test results provide valuable information about the building's airtightness and the amount of air leakage it experiences. By quantifying the air leakage, the test helps assess the overall energy efficiency of the building, locate specific areas of the air leakage, and identify potential issues related to comfort, indoor air quality, and problems.

The blower door test is a widely accepted method used in the energy audits, energy retrofit projects, and building performance assessments. It helps guide improvements in the building envelope sealing, insulation and ventilation systems, ultimately leading to enhanced energy efficiency, reduced energy costs, and improved indoor environmental quality.

Infrared scan, also known as thermal imaging, during a blower door test is often conducted as a complementary technique to identify areas of air leakage and insulation deficiencies in a building. The infrared scan utilizes a thermal imaging camera to detect temperature variations on surfaces, allowing for the visualization of thermal patterns and potential areas of concern.

The blower door test is conducted an infrared camera is used to capture thermal images of the building's surfaces. The camera is calibrated to accurately measure temperature variations and is typically operated by a trained technician. The technician walks through the building, scanning surfaces such as walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors with the infrared camera. The camera captures the infrared radiation emitted by these surfaces and converts it into a visual image that displays the temperature differences. The thermal images abstained during the infrared scan are analyzed to identify temperature anomalies and patterns. Areas with potential air leakage, missing or insufficient insulation, or thermal bridging issues may appear as temperature variations compared to the surrounding areas. The finding from the infrared scan are reported, and recommendations are provided based on the identified issues. This information can guide subsequent actions, such as sealing are leaks, improving insulation, or addressing other thermal inefficiencies in the building. The combination of a blower door test and infrared scan allows for comprehensive assessment of a buildings' air tightness, insulation quality, and thermal building performance.

HVAC flow hood, also known as an air capture hood or balancing hood, is a tool used to measure and evaluate the airflow coming from the vents in your HVAC system. It's designed to help assess the performance and balance of the air being distributed throughout your home or building. When a technician performs an airflow measurement using a flow hood, they place the hood over the vent or grille. the flow hood has sensor that measure the velocity and volume of the air flowing through it. The measurement taken by the flow hood provide important information about the airflow from that specific vent. It tells the technician how much air is being delivered or returned from that location. This data helps determine if the airflow is sufficient for proper ventilation, heating, and cooling of the space. Flow hoods are particularly useful during HVAC system installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. They help identify issues such as inadequate airflow, imbalanced airflow between different rooms, or obstructions that may be affecting the performance of your HVAC system. by using flow hood, technicians can make adjustments to optimize the airflow and ensure that each room or area received the appropriate amount of conditioned air. The helps improve comfort, energy efficiency, and overall system performance.

Duct leakage test is a procedure used to assess the amount of air leakage in the ductwork of you heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It helps evaluate the efficiency and performance of the ducts that carry conditioned are throughout your home or building. During a duct leakage test, a trained technician will conduct measurements to determine the extent of air leakage in you HVAC system's ductwork. The test is typically performed by using a specialized fan called a duct blower, duct tester or duct blaster. The duct blower is connected to the ductwork, and either blow air into the ducts or extracts air from them to create a controlled pressure difference. By doing the, the technician can measure the airflow required to maintain the pressure difference and calculate the amount of air leakage from the ducts.

Why is a duct leakage test important? Well air leakage from the ducts can result in energy loss, decreased system efficiency, and reduced comfort in your home or building. it can also lead to uneven heating or cooling distribution and affect the overall performance of your HVAC system. Fixing duct leaks can have several benefits. It can improve energy efficiency by ensuring that conditioned air reaches the intended areas without wasteful leaks. It can also enhance comfort levels, as balanced airflow helps maintain consistent temperature throughout you home or building. Sealing duct leaks can help indoor air quality by preventing pollutants, dust, or allergens into your living space.

Check out our video on the "World tightest duct system"

A combustion appliance zonal (CAZ) test is diagnostic procedure performed to assess the safety and efficiency of combustion appliances, such as furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and stove, within a building. The test involves evaluating the combustion process, flue gas emissions, and ventilation of the appliances to ensure they are operating properly and not posing a risk to occupants.

Zonal Test are conducted to assess the performance of a building's envelope in term of air tightness, pressure differentials, and energy efficiency. The results of these tests can provide valuable information to consumers about the quality and performance of their buildings.

Zonal test evaluated the air tightness and pressure differentials within different zones or compartments of a building. It helps identify areas of air leakage, inadequate insulation, and potential energy inefficiencies.