Air Tightness Testing Course

Lesson 1 • Energy and Comfort Impacts

Quantifies how air leakage affects heating, cooling loads, and occupant comfort. Motivates the need for systematic testing and remediation.

Lesson 2 • Defining Airtightness and Leakage

Defines airtightness metrics and distinguishes leakage from intentional ventilation. Provides vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Air Movement Principles in Buildings

Covers pressure-driven and diffusion-driven air movement mechanisms. Connects physics fundamentals to real building performance outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Common Leakage Locations

Catalogs typical high-leakage zones found in residential and commercial buildings. Prepares testers to prioritize inspection areas efficiently.

Lesson 2 • Envelope Components and Boundaries

Defines the thermal and pressure boundary of a building. Establishes the test boundary concept critical for accurate measurement.

Lesson 3 • Construction Materials and Airtightness

Examines how different materials and assemblies affect leakage rates. Links material selection to expected test outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Software Configuration and Test Setup

Guides students through test software parameters and building data entry. Correct configuration ensures automated calculations are accurate.

Lesson 2 • Blower Door System Components

Identifies all hardware elements of a standard blower door system. Provides the component knowledge needed for correct assembly and troubleshooting.

Lesson 3 • Safety Procedures During Equipment Use

Addresses hazards created by depressurization and fan operation. Students apply safety protocols to protect occupants and equipment.

Lesson 4 • Door Frame Installation and Sealing

Teaches correct frame placement and panel sealing to prevent bypass leakage. Proper installation directly affects result validity.

Lesson 1 • Depressurization and Pressurization Modes

Explains when to test in each direction and how results may differ. Understanding mode selection prevents systematic measurement errors.

Lesson 2 • Handling Adverse Test Conditions

Prepares students for wind, temperature, and building conditions that compromise results. Mitigation strategies maintain data quality in challenging environments.

Lesson 3 • Data Collection and Recording

Establishes protocols for capturing, labeling, and storing test data. Accurate records are essential for reporting and future comparisons.

Lesson 4 • Single-Point and Multi-Point Testing

Distinguishes quick single-point checks from full multi-point regression tests. Students select the appropriate method for each project requirement.

Lesson 1 • Applying Environmental Corrections

Adjusts raw measurements for temperature, wind, and altitude effects. Corrections ensure comparability across different test conditions.

Lesson 2 • Regression Analysis of Pressure-Flow Data

Applies the power-law regression model to multi-point test data. Students understand how curve fitting produces reliable leakage coefficients.

Lesson 3 • Calculating Key Airtightness Metrics

Derives ACH50, air permeability, and equivalent leakage area from raw data. Each metric serves different reporting and compliance purposes.

Lesson 1 • Infrared Thermography for Leakage

Applies thermal imaging to detect temperature anomalies caused by air infiltration. Thermography reveals hidden leakage invisible to the naked eye.

Lesson 2 • Smoke and Tracer Gas Methods

Uses smoke pencils and tracer gases to visualize airflow at leakage sites. These methods provide direct evidence of leakage location and severity.

Lesson 3 • Pressure Mapping and Zone Testing

Measures pressure differentials across internal partitions to map leakage distribution. Zone testing isolates problem areas in complex buildings.

Lesson 1 • Client Communication and Recommendations

Translates technical results into plain-language guidance for building owners. Effective communication drives remediation action and client satisfaction.

Lesson 2 • Test Report Structure and Content

Defines mandatory and recommended elements of a complete airtightness report. A well-structured report protects the tester and informs the client.

Lesson 3 • Documenting Leakage Findings

Records diagnostic findings in a format useful for remediation contractors. Clear documentation links test results to actionable repair locations.

Lesson 1 • Overseeing Remediation Work Quality

Guides testers in monitoring contractor sealing work during construction. Interim checks prevent defects from being concealed before final testing.

Lesson 2 • Prioritizing Remediation for Maximum Impact

Ranks leakage sites by contribution to total leakage to focus effort efficiently. High-impact repairs deliver the greatest improvement per unit of labor.

Lesson 3 • Post-Remediation Verification Testing

Conducts a full retest after remediation to confirm improvement against targets. Verification testing closes the quality loop and validates the repair work.