Whole Building Airtightness Technician Program

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Program Description

Overview

An interactive, 40-hour, 5-day, in-person training program, centered on commercial blower door testing, featuring conceptual learning and practical hands-on instruction from industry experts and representatives from both blower door manufacturers.

Course Description

The purpose is to educate both entry-level and experienced blower door technicians in the planning, preparation, and execution of a blower door airtightness test on commercial and large buildings in conformance with industry standard test methods.

Currently it is the MOST comprehensive blower door testing training program available covering ASTM E3158, E779, E1827, CGSB 149.10, ISO 9972, and USACE (2012) test methods.

The training aims to equip blower door technicians with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to appropriately evaluate, prepare, test, analyze, and report on a building’s airtightness performance.
For the purposes of demonstrations, activities, and simulations, this training program uses equipment from two widely used blower door fan manufacturing companies.

Course Length: 5 Days

Training Course Fees:

Members – $2,500.00
Non-Members – $2,850.00

Conceptual Learning

For two days trainees will have conceptual learning in a classroom style setting. Topics include learning about the impact of airtightness on building performance, understanding testing equipment, and interpreting commonly referenced standards.

Hands-on Training

Using physical mock-ups and hands-on instruction trainees will spend two days learning to plan, prepare, conduct a blower door test.

Performing a Test

The session concludes with learning to troubleshoot common testing issues, analyzing testing results, and report writing.

Prerequisites

It is highly recommended that students of the program have some existing knowledge and skills including:

Have general knowledge of construction documents and know how to read construction drawings and specifications.
Have a basic understanding of airtightness test standards and air flow concepts.
Have some experience operating blower door fan equipment and related accessory equipment.

2024 Training Sessions Now Available

December 2-6, 2024

Listen to our inaugural class from 2022

Training Modules

	Module	No. of Hours	Learning Outcome(s) The trainees will be able to:
DAY 1	Module 1 Training Program Introduction	1	Identify the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as a blower door technician.
	Module 2 Building Air Leakage Overview	2	Understand the impact of airtightness on building performance.
	Module 3 Testing Equipment	5	Use airtightness testing equipment safely and appropriately.
DAY 2	Module 4 Testing Approach	4	Understand different airtightness testing approaches.
DAY 2	Module 5 Testing Compliance Factors	4	Interpret commonly referenced standards and compliance factors relating to whole-building airtightness testing.
DAY 3	Module 6 Planning a Test	4	Apply an appropriate airtightness test approach.
DAY 3	Module 7 Preparing a Test	4	Prepare for an airtightness test.
DAY 4	Module 8 Performing a Test	8	Use airtightness testing equipment safely and appropriately. Perform a whole-building airtightness test correctly. Troubleshoot and correct common airtightness testing issues. Analyze airtightness testing results accurately.
DAY 5	Module 9 Performing a Test Activities	6	Prepare for an airtightness test. Use airtightness testing equipment safely and appropriately. Perform a whole-building airtightness test correctly. Troubleshoot and correct common airtightness testing issues. Analyze airtightness testing results accurately.
	Module 10 Reporting Test Results	1.5	Analyze airtightness testing results accurately Report airtightness testing results accurately
	Module 11 Program Summary and Wrap-up	0.5

Physical Mock-Ups

The training program uses mock-up structures for live demonstrations and test simulation purposes. Mock-up structures consist of framing, sheathing and include windows, doors, and other penetrations for operational and enclosure airtightness testing.

Training Manual Content

Each student will be provided a training manual which has been developed for both independent self-study learners and as a companion for students use during the live program delivery.

The manual is organized by training modules and serves as a workbook filled with activities that the students will be completing during the training program.