Blower Test

The_Bullman

I recently got a blower test done on an unfinished new build.

Before the test I was told that they do a blower test and give a report including where the leakage is occuring.

Done the test. Waited 2 weeks for the report.

Report gives the data from the blower test but no report of where leakages are or where there are improvements to be made.

I phoned them up to find out what was up and the answer was that they couldn't advise me because the ACH was too low for them to advise on any improvements.

Is this normal? Any thoughts?

Biker1

What was the test result? If it is say below 1.5m3/hr/m2 at 50pa then there is little chance of finding any leakage points and even less of being able to do anything about them. Culprits in this case may be down to the chasings not being made airtight before electrical first fix or the blockwork not being plastered at joist level.

The_Bullman

Result was 2.43 air changes at 50Pa

1460 m³/h at 50Pa air flow.

Chasings were sprayed with airtight paint prior to first fix and plastering. Hollowcore slabs were wrapped and taped to wall. Gap between slab and suspended ceilings were sprayed with airtight paint too.

Only spot that I can think of was taping from floor screed to plastered wall. They couldn't even point that out as a location for air leakage..

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244228/blower-test

I would appeal it to NSAI

https://www.nsai.ie/certification/agrement-certification/air-tightness-testing/

Biker1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119011033#Comment_119011033

Air changes is not the measurement that is used for compliance, it's the air permeability. This should have been the figure on the report.

The_Bullman

would that be 3.162 m3/m2/hr?

What units would that be in? only mention of "permeability" is in the title of the report

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119012677#Comment_119012677

Correct, the unit used is a bit of a nonsense, buts that's it.

Biker1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119012677#Comment_119012677

That would be considered a poor result by today's standards. If you had an agreement in place that the tester would find the leakage areas then that is what they should have done. However a tester is only obliged to provide the actual test result in m3/hr/m2 at 50pa for compliance.