LA-2570 -- Methods for Conducting Small-Scale Pressurization Tests and Air Leakage Data of Multi-Story Apartment Buildings

An experimental study has been made to develop methods for conducting small-scale pressurization tests to determine the air leakage characteristic of multi-story apartment buildings where a full-scale air leakage measurement cannot always be performed. These methods require the use of a portable fan for developing a suction or pressure inside a test chamber which is sealed around the perimeter of a test area such as the exterior wall of a room or a window. To minimize the lateral air leakage due to air movement in the cavities of a wall construction, the pressure in the test chamber is balanced with those in the surrounding rooms.
Applying these methods, the air leakage rates through the exterior walls were measured in five buildings ranging from 5 to 20 stories high. Air leakage rates through major leakage sources were also measured in selected buildings to determine their contribution to the total leakage of wall assemblies. In addition, the overall air leakage rate was measured in a 5-story building with the entrance door to each apartment unit open and closed to investigate the influence of corridor walls on the overall building air leakage characteristic.